The soon-to-be PH flag bearers pole vaulter Obiena and Watanabe are set to parade alongside other six officials in the opening trade.

Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, POC president, said during the press conference that although all 19 Olympians were qualified as flag bearers, Obiena and Watanabe were chosen hinged upon the availability and schedules among the candidates. 

“Lahat naman ‘yan, tiningnan natin.” 

And the gymnast Caloy Yulo and skateboarder Margielyn Didal were relinquished considerably as both are scheduled to compete for the day after the opening rites.

“Personally, I talked to them, and they thanked me for considering them. They did not decline, but sinabi ‘yung situation nila.” Tolentino expressed. 

Obiena and Watanabe will be accompanied by chef de mission Mariano “Nonong” Araneta, PH Swimming Incorporated (PSI) president Lani Velasco, PH Judo Federation president Dave Carter, gymnastics chief Cynthia Carrion, skateboarding coach Daniel Bautista, and boxing coach Nolito Velasco.

On the other hand, the opening ceremonies will mark a pioneering experience for the Philippines since there will be one male and one female, in support of gender equality, to carry the country’s flag ever since it joined the Olympics.