08 February 2017 NEW YORK — Consul Felipe F. Cariño III led about 170 Filipino basketball aficionados during a Meet and Greet event featuring Filipino-American National Basketball Association (NBA) player from the Los Angeles Laker, Jordan Clarkson at the Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center.

In his remarks, Consul Cariño welcomed Team Jordan Clarkson to the Philippine Center and introduced Jordan Clarkson to the community. 

Consul Cariño recognized Clarkson’s contribution in basketball and for inspiring people, including many Filipinos and Filipino Americans, to reach their full potential. 

Consul Cariño said that Jordan Clarkson belongs to a crop of Filipino Americans who have broken the glass ceiling in the U.S. in fields such as arts, sports, fashion, technology and business.

Senator Cayetano, who was attending several meetings in the U.S., said that basketball and the LA Lakers have a huge following among Filipinos.  He referred to Jordan Clarkson as a Fil-American ambassador of basketball among younger Filipinos and Filipino Americans.  He also recognized Jordan’s father, Mike Clarkson, for his effort to bring Jordan closer to the Filipino community.

The event was the first of its kind at the Consulate General organized by Team Jordan Clarkson, Mr. Tim Fuller, and Filipino community organizers Mr. Mark Anthony Agbuya, Janette Lachica, Ms. Bel Molina and Ms. Rachelle Ocampo.  The event was organized in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in New York. END