MANILA- As the Philippines prepares to host the 30th Southeast Asian Games next week, questions have arisen over the multimillion-peso cauldron that would be used.

The cauldron, designed by late National Artist for Architecture Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa, has been the subject of criticism over its supposedly hefty P45 million price tag.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who also chairs the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), said although Philippines' cauldron was expensive, it was no excessive and actually cheaper than than Singapore’s P62-million piece.

Here are the cauldrons used in the previous SEA Games:

2017: MALAYSIA

The cauldron used during Malaysia's hosting of the 29th SEA Games featured a design inspired by traditional oil torches of the country.

2015: SINGAPORE

Singapore drew inspiration from the DNA for its cauldron in the 28th SEA Games. According to the Sport Singapore website, the DNA design meant to connect individuals, communities, and countries together "in a unity of aspirations."

2013: MYANMAR

Myanmar used a lotus-inspired cauldron for its hosting of the 27th SEA Games.

2011: INDONESIA

Indonesia's colossal cauldron was lit by Susi Susanti, 1992 Summer Olympics gold medalist in Badminton.

2009: LAOS

A man dressed as Laotian epic hero Sang Sinxay lit the cauldron using a lit arrow.