Filipino culture on full display at Golden State Warriors Filipino Heritage Night

Members of the Kalikasan Dance Company pose for photos after their halftime performance. Photo from Jun Nucum

SAN FRANCISCO – The second Filipino Heritage Night – a mix of dance, music and food – was held at Chase Center in San Francisco during the Golden State Warriors game against the San Antonio Spurs Saturday night.

Thousands in attendance at the Thrive City grounds cheered for the home team while showing their Filipino pride and appreciating the many elements of Filipino culture included in the celebratory night.

Baybayin artist Kristian Kabuay presents the history behind the ancient writing system. Photo from Jun Nucum

Dance groups, including Likha, performed Filipino folk dances while Senor Sisig showcased Filipino cuisine.

Among the participants were Your Filipino Professionals Association (YFPA), Project Pearls, Filipino American Arts Exposition – led by its president Al Perez, who also serves as San Francisco City and County Entertainment commissioner– and the Philippine Baseball Group.

Also at the Thrive City grounds was local artist Kristian Kabuay, who presented  the Philippine pre-colonial writing system Baybayin to the mostly younger generation of Filipino Americans.

Warriors season ticket holder JP Picart, whose family is from Ilocos Sur, said he was excited to watch the game and celebrate Filipino culture at the same time.

Raymond Townsend – NBA’s first Filipino player who was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the 1978 NBA draft – was around to welcome Filipino Warrior fans who trooped to the venue to cheer for the home team.

As part of the pre-game ceremony, the Warriors’ Cable Car Bell  was rung by Caroline Cabading, executive director of the San Francisco-based Manilatown Heritage Foundation.

Fil-Am youngsters with the Bytes & Notes Chorale sang the national anthem, followed by the presentation of the teams and their players.

At halftime, another group of young artists from Kalikasan Dance Company performed a Filipino folk dance.

Filipino American Arts Exposition president Al Perez, who also serves as San Francisco City and County entertainment commissioner, welcomes Filipino Warriors fans. Photo from Jun Nucum