Golden State Warriors celebrate Filipino Heritage Night, comeback victory

Bytes & Notes Chorale performs the national anthem. Photo by Jun Nucum

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors held its first Filipino Heritage Night for the 2024-25 NBA season at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, Dec. 8.

It was a night of cultural celebration and comeback victory, with the Warriors defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-106.

Filipino Heritage Night / Photo from San Francisco PCG

More than 18,000 fans, including thousands of Filipino Americans, trooped to Chase Center to see the game while honoring Filipino culture and enjoying an early holiday celebration with family and friends.

Performances by Filipino cultural groups Kalikasan Dance Company and Bytes & Notes Chorale shone the spotlight on Filipino heritage.

Attendees were treated to a baybayin script demonstration by Fil-Am artist Kristian Kabuay and received complimentary barong-themed t-shirts.

Kalikasan Dance Company / Photo by Jun Nucum

The program also featured bell ringing by Filipino Advocates for Justice Executive Director Geraldine Alcid and performances by Bay Area-based hip-hop artist P. Lo and the Warriors Dance Team’s Gold Squad.

Jalen Cordero Young of Mountain View, Calif., and San Francisco-born Danielle Jessica ‘DJ’ Pecho were among the talented members of the Gold Squad, whose  high-energy dance performances hyped up the audience. The Gold Squad was led by Fil-Am dance director Sabrina Ellison.

Gold Squad members include Fil-Am dancers Danielle Jessica ‘DJ’ Pecho and Jalen Cordero Young. Photo by Jun Nucum

Honored as Impact Warrior of the Night was Gayle Romasanta, executive director of the Filipino American Development Foundation and national trustee for the Filipino American National Historical Society.

Romasanta also serves on the Yerba Buena Gardens Conservatory Board of Directors and is co-author of “Journey For Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong.” She is the writer behind “Larry the Musical: An American Journey.”

She came with her parents, Carmen Rivera of Tubao, La Union, and Pat Romasanta of Marinduque, who expressed pride in their daughter’s achievements.

“Being an Impact Warrior means a lot to me. Being recognized by the Warriors means that my work and the work of our Filipino community has reached the mainstream and a wider audience,” Romasanta said.

Impact Warrior Gayle Romasanta (left) with parents Carmen and Pat. Photo by Jun Nucum

Leading the Bytes & Notes Chorale was Music Studio Director Anne Marie Tecson of San Jose, Calif., and son Lucas, who serves as alumni choir director.

“We have been chosen (to perform) for the past 10 years, maybe because we love to do this. The kids enjoy it. We have been very lucky to be given this chance,” Tecson said.

Chorale members Malaya Mosqueda and Alessandra Mine said they have always enjoyed sharing their talent and promoting Filipino culture during Filipino Heritage Night.

The program also featured students from Milpitas-based St. John the Baptist Catholic School.

Other participants included GS Warriors Hypeman Franco Finn, DJ Umami, the Philippine Baseball Group and the Filipino American Arts and Exposition, led by its president and San Francisco Entertainment Commissioner Al Perez.

The second Warriors Filipino Heritage Night is scheduled for April 6, 2025.