PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – The 32nd Southeast Asian Games officially starts after a grandiose opening ceremony here at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh Friday evening.

Athletes from all across the region gathered as they paraded inside the stadium dressed in colorful outfits.

Save for 32nd SEA Games chief of mission Chito Loyzaga and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, the Philippines was represented with an all-female cast bannered by flag bearer and veteran national women's volleyball team campaigner Alyssa Valdez wearing the Barong Tagalog designed by Filipino fashion icon Francis Libiran.

As soon as three-time SEA Games gold medalist and hometown bet Sorn Seavmey of taekwondo was hoisted up by a harness and lit the torch to symbolize the opening of the Games, the skies were colored with a two-minute pyrotechnical show.

Prior to the opening ceremonies, the Philippines had already collected two gold, two silver and three bronze medals for second place behind host country Cambodia, which amassed a 5-4-0 medal tally.

Starting on Saturday, Filipino athletes will begin their quest to surpass the 52-gold medal tally from last year.

The Philippines will be in the final round of aquathlon, marathon, obstacle race, jiu-jitsu, mountain bike, vovinam, kun khmer and karate.

Boxing, pencak silat, kun bokator, soft tennis and teqball start tomorrow.