Davao City, Philippines – The torch of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games was set aflame marking its first stop in Davao City. SEA Games-bound athletes Nesthy Petecio, Mikee Selga and Sydney Sy Tancontian led the ceremonial lighting and relay of torch. Around 3,000 participants joined the event, which took place in SM Lanang, Davao. 

Present at the program of the ceremonial torch lighting were Senator Bong Go, Davao Vice Mayor Baste 

Duterte, Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) Director Jojit Alcazar, Presidential 

Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Mike Dino, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Charles Maxey and Celia Kiram, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Executive Board Member, Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) President Cynthia Carrion.

MILO Philippines, represented by Nestle Assistant Vice President – MILO Lester P. Castillo, was also present as a partner and gold sponsor of the 30th SEA Games. 

MILO, a longtime partner of the SEA Games since 1971, continues to energize a nation of champions by 

providing the nutritious energy for Filipinos to perform their best. Just recently, MILO announced its partnership with POC, PSC and PHISGOC in support for the SEA Games. Several athletes that came from the MILO sports programs are set to represent the country in the prestigious competition, including six-time MILO Marathon Queen Mary Joy Tabal, 2010 MILO Little Olympics Most Outstanding Athlete Caloy Yulo, MILO Philippine Taekwondo Association gold medalist Pauline Lopez, among others.

At the ceremony, PHISGOC Director Jojit Alcazar said in his speech, “Hope is most evident in the story of

every athlete competing…we win stronger and bolder when we come together despite our many differences…we look beyond what sets us apart and celebrate what binds us together: our heart for sports and our heart for our region.”

MILO’s Castillo, who showed solidarity with the athletes and sports authorities said, “Much like the flame, 

 

this ceremony signifies the burning passion and commitment of Team Pilipinas. We are honored to be part of this momentous occasion where we, as a nation, rally behind and cheer for our athletes and the organizers for the success of our country's hosting of the biggest SEA Games ever.”

 

Following its Davao stop, the torch is set to arrive in Cebu, and then in Clark. 

The 30th SEA Games formally opens on November 30 at the Philippine Arena and concludes on  December 11 at New Clark City. This year’s event is pegged as the biggest SEA Games ever with 56 sports, an estimated 9,840 athletes from 11 countries, 2,050 technical officials, 1,500 press and media attendees, 12,000 volunteers, targeting as many as 500 million viewers all participating in a sporting experience of a lifetime. It will be held in three key hubs: the main hub will be in Clark, Pampanga (in the newly-constructed New Clark Sports Complex), the secondary hub being the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and the tertiary hub situated in Metro Manila and nearby areas.

MILO will be present in all SEA Games fan zones and select playing venues where spectators can get the winning energy to cheer on Team Philippines, and enjoy free samples of cold cups of MILO. There will also be several activity sports modules to encourage children to get into sports.PR