By Ellson Quismorio
The House of Representatives couldn't have chosen a better date to officially open its Kobe Bryant exhibit, which celebrates the life of the late National Basketball Association (NBA) legend.
(ELLSON QUISMORIO / MANILA BULLETIN)
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Valenzuela City Rep. Eric Martinez led the ribbon-cutting rites Monday (Feb. 24). That's 2/24, two numbers that have significant meaning to the Bryants.
The number 24 was Kobe's jersey number when he retired from the NBA in 2016 after 20 years as a pro. On the other hand, his daughter Gianna used the number 2 on when she played on the hardcourt.
The two and seven others died in a helicopter crash last Jan. 26 in Calabasas, California.
The meaning of the date wasn't lost on Cayetano, who supplied the memorabilia at the exhibit. "Very significant yung 2/24 for Kobe and of course his daughter...we thought na makapagbigay ng konting inspiration sa ating mga kabataan (we thought it would give a little inspiration to our youth)," he said.
Martinez, chairman of the House committee on youth and sports development, called Bryant the greatest Laker in history, pertaining to the late cager's NBA team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Among the memorabilia seen on display at the day-long exhibit were a mini-Kobe Bryant statue, figurines, a signed jersey and basketball shoes from the "Black Mamba," paintings, photos, and other trinkets.
A message wall was also set up for fans of Bryant who wanted to give the five-time NBA champion a final, personal goodbye.
Serving as the event’s emcee was popular local sports analyst and annotator, "The Dean" Quinito Henson.
Henson said the opening of the exhibit coincided with the Celebration of Life memorial for Bryant at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. " am honored to host the ribbon-cutting event," he wrote in a post on his Instagram account.
Several past and present Philippine Basketball Association players added some glamour to the event: Norman Black, Bobby Ray Parks, Larry Fonacier, Asi Taulava, Cliff Hodge, Ryan Araña, Ryan Reyes, and Jay-R Reyes, to name a few.
(ELLSON QUISMORIO / MANILA BULLETIN)
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Valenzuela City Rep. Eric Martinez led the ribbon-cutting rites Monday (Feb. 24). That's 2/24, two numbers that have significant meaning to the Bryants.
The number 24 was Kobe's jersey number when he retired from the NBA in 2016 after 20 years as a pro. On the other hand, his daughter Gianna used the number 2 on when she played on the hardcourt.
The two and seven others died in a helicopter crash last Jan. 26 in Calabasas, California.
The meaning of the date wasn't lost on Cayetano, who supplied the memorabilia at the exhibit. "Very significant yung 2/24 for Kobe and of course his daughter...we thought na makapagbigay ng konting inspiration sa ating mga kabataan (we thought it would give a little inspiration to our youth)," he said.
Martinez, chairman of the House committee on youth and sports development, called Bryant the greatest Laker in history, pertaining to the late cager's NBA team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Among the memorabilia seen on display at the day-long exhibit were a mini-Kobe Bryant statue, figurines, a signed jersey and basketball shoes from the "Black Mamba," paintings, photos, and other trinkets.
A message wall was also set up for fans of Bryant who wanted to give the five-time NBA champion a final, personal goodbye.
Serving as the event’s emcee was popular local sports analyst and annotator, "The Dean" Quinito Henson.
Henson said the opening of the exhibit coincided with the Celebration of Life memorial for Bryant at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. " am honored to host the ribbon-cutting event," he wrote in a post on his Instagram account.
Several past and present Philippine Basketball Association players added some glamour to the event: Norman Black, Bobby Ray Parks, Larry Fonacier, Asi Taulava, Cliff Hodge, Ryan Araña, Ryan Reyes, and Jay-R Reyes, to name a few.