19 December 2016 —  The NBA’s Brooklyn Nets hosted a Filipino Heritage Night on December 14 during its home court match against the LA Lakers at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Before an almost-full arena with a capacity of more than 18,000, the Nets featured the Philippines and Filipino-Americans at various periods of the game.  The Broadway Barkada, a group of Filipino performing artists in New York, led the singing of the US National Anthem.

Before the game, the Rutgers Filipino Dance Team performed a lively dance number which featured the Tinikling. Representatives of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) were called and acknowledged in the court for the group’s role in the promotion of Filipino heritage in the US.

As the NBA players from both teams were entering the basketball court, Filipino children lined-up for the traditional “high-five” with the players.  At halftime, a larger group of Filipino children wearing their basketball jerseys were allowed to play in the court, many of them making shots that impressed the audience.  After the game, Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson of the LA Lakers who was informed of the event returned to greet the Fil-Am audience assembled at courtside.

The Filipino Heritage Night was organized by the Nets in coordination with Mr. Mark Anthony Agbuya, a member of the Fil-Am Community.  More than 2,000 Fil-Ams watched the game and various Fil-Am associations and groups participated in the successful event.

Consul Arman Talbo was present as representative of the Philippine Consulate General

The Nets committed to host other similar Filipino Nights in future games. The Nets won over the Lakers, 107-97 on Filipino Heritage Night.  END