By: Kyrie Sismaet
San Francisco, CA – November 18, 2023
In a vibrant celebration of Filipino culture, the Golden State Warriors hosted a spectacular Filipino Heritage Night during their captivating game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Chase Center. Though rainy, the night was persistently filled with diverse performances and activities that highlighted the rich traditions and contributions of the Filipino community.
The festivities kicked off with Gayle Romasanta, the Executive Director of the Filipino American Development Foundation, ringing the Warriors’ Cable Car Bell. In a another significant touch to the night, Romasanta was proudly joined by the Warriors’ hype man Franco Finn, who is the first and only Filipino and Asian American hype man in the NBA.
The U.S. Anthem was then performed by the phenomenal St John the Baptist Choir, which for one of the choir members, felt like “a dream. Just to have that representation for our culture is huge. To have one night dedicated to us and to show our love for our culture is an amazing feeling.”
The in-game entertainment within the second quarter featured the Spyro Bros, a Filipino duo renowned for their expertise in the art of the Diabolo, also known as the Chinese Yoyo. Their mesmerizing performance added an extra layer of excitement and showcased the depth of Filipino talent.
At halftime, the floor was illuminated by the incredibly talented Sikaran Arnis Academy, where practitioners precisely showcased the ancient art of Sikaran, or traditional Filipino Foot Fighting with tight choreography from performers of all ages.”We’re very proud as Filipinos to present Sikaran,” said Sikaran Master Emmanuel M. Banaag, who also cheerful gave a brief history of the significance of this art. “It started as a pastime that came from the farmers and has continued to today. It’s stressful, but we’re very grateful. It takes two weeks to prepare for this event.”
The experience also extended beyond the court as attendees had the opportunity to take home custom shirts at Thrive City, allowing them to commemorate the night with unique memorabilia. Many were also seen indulging in the delicious offerings of the Sarap Shop, a Filipino-owned food stall beloved in the arena for their modern and sustainable uplifting of classic cultural fare. Notably, they introduced their new Wok Fry Sisig Wings, adding an innovative culinary highlight to the celebration.
As the game unfolded, the opposing teams were undeniably neck-and-neck, as the Golden State Warriors had a slight lead before the Oklahoma City Thunder tied with them seconds to the end, sending the crowd ablaze as they entered an immensely heated overtime.
Spectators of both were consistently on the edge of their seats as the teams each earned points, with the Oklahoma City Thunder eventually taking the win with a final score of 130-123.
Though the GSW did not come out triumphant at this game, the entire evening was still a successful win for celebrating the Filipino culture, community, and camaraderie. This Saturday night brought unexpected surprises, spectacular performances, and inimitable memories, truly reverberating the Bay Area’s dynamic spirit and respectful uplifting.
