Workers walk past ASEAN members' flags next to the Aquatic centre in New Clark City, a SEA Games venue. For illustrative purposes only. Photo by Ted Aljibe / AFP.
The Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) is meant to bring countries in the region together, but recent reports seem to have divided citizens of host country, the Philippines, instead.News of delayed transportation services, subpar accommodations, and mismanaged funds have led many to call it “Fyre Festival 2.0.” Emerging from all these screwups, though, is a sense of volunteerism from some Filipinos who are sick of complaining online. Some have taken it upon themselves to solve problems, taking over where the government obviously failed.
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Transportation and logistics
Leo Rey Yanson, president of Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), the company that owns Ceres Bus, did the same after similar transportation complaints in 2005, the last time the Philippines hosted the SEA Games.Practice locations were also an issue. The Thai men’s football team was set to practice in the province of Laguna, two hours away from their hotel, so their coach chose to delay practice by a day, after their experience with traffic. To help the teams out, Southridge School in Alabang, which is an hour closer to their accommodations, opened its artificial pitch as a practice venue.“Right now, we just have to help each other and also support our athletes,” Philippine Football Federation President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said.
Food
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Accommodations
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Online Movement
Local musician Jim Paredes also chimed in on his Twitter, relaying a message from the NGO Kaya Natin, saying, “If anyone has contacts to the head of the volunteers for SEA games, please let us know. We really want to help.”
The SEA Games opening ceremony is on Saturday, November 30. It will run until Wednesday, December 11.Update 11/28/19: This story has been updated to reflect the hotel's reply regarding the food that was served.Find Lia on Instagram and Twitter.