Fil-Am basketball star Jalen Green celebrates heritage during Houston Rockets Filipino Heritage Night
Filipino American basketball star Jalen Green celebrated his Filipino heritage during the Houston Rockets’ annual Filipino Heritage Night. The event drew Fil-Am fans from all over the Houston area respectively to watch the game against the Utah Jazz.
Some of the highlights of the Rockets’ game on Monday, Oct. 24 included a 114-108 win against the Jazz, with Jalen Green scoring 25 points for the Rockets. This marked the Utah Jazz’s first loss of the season.
Great team dub on Filipino Heritage Night.
What a night 🚀 pic.twitter.com/T9zKUyxlF0
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 25, 2022
The night also featured a performance by Filipino recording artist Brian Puspos, as well as a tinikling performance at half-time by the Filipino Young Professionals of Houston Cultural Ambassadors (FYPCA).
Shout out to @BrianPuspos for pulling up to Filipino Heritage Night! 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/MDaTVmFyN7
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 25, 2022
The national anthem was sung by Filipino-American Angelica General, and the ceremonial first shot was taken by Gary Ilagan, the executive director of the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce. Filipino-American service members and community leaders were honored during the night.
Jalen Green embraces his Filipino heritage
Green hosted Filipino Heritage Night, putting on a show for fans. He also signed Rockets memorabilia for auction, with the proceeds benefiting the Clutch City Foundation and local Filipino Youth Initiatives. He also did a post-game Q&A for eager fans who were excited to hear what he had to say after the Rockets’ win.
All love from @JalenGreen on Filipino Heritage Night! 🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/C3ZBUcF8Wz
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 25, 2022
Tonight, the Rockets hosted Filipino Heritage Night 🇵🇭 Hundreds of folks stuck around for a panel with @JalenGreen who is incredibly proud of his heritage. pic.twitter.com/TRgsM8Gzvq
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) October 25, 2022
Green has long been vocal about his appreciation for his Filipino fans. In a recent interview, Green expressed his enthusiasm for Filipino Heritage Night and the Q&As he does for fans.
“I like doing it,” Green said. “The Philippines does so much for me; it’s the least I can do for them until I go back out there. I know a lot of people out there look up to me. They show a lot of love and support. Coming out there and doing this for them means the world.”
Green recently traveled to the Philippines in August due to his JG4 Manila Tour with Adidas. It was the first time Green traveled to the country since reaching the NBA. There, he visited Ilocos Su, his maternal grandfather’s hometown.
“It was still the same love and support they gave me when I was in high school. This time, I was out there for a cultural experience,” Green said of his most recent trip. “I went to my hometown, where my family originally from. They did a big old meal for me. The food experience was a little different. It was fire.”
The next game on the Houson Rockets schedule is once again against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, Oct. 26, in an away game at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
