House of Representatives pays tribute to Kobe

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant in a display of memorabilia from Speaker Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano’s private collection at the Batasan Plenary Hallway, Quezon City, last Monday, the same day that the Staples Center held a Celebration of Life memorial to honor the former Los Angeles Lakers star.

The date was particularly appropriate – 2/24/20 as 2 was Bryant’s daughter Gianna’s jersey number, 24 was the Laker guard’s jersey number and 20 was how many years he played in the NBA.

House Committee on Youth and Sports Development chair Rep. Eric Martinez welcomed the guests who attended the early afternoon ribbon-cutting ceremony and spoke about Bryant’s “Mamba” mentality, “the pursuit of excellence to be relentless, resilient and fearless through hard work, sacrifice and self-discipline.” He said Bryant’s legacy is an inspiration for everyone to be a better person and for public servants to work hard in the service of others.  

Martinez recalled a story about former Chicago Bulls guard Jay Williams surprised to find Bryant taking warm-up shots four hours before a Lakers game at the Staples Center. Williams thought he would be the earliest to practice but Bryant was ahead. In the game that followed, Bryant scored 40 points. Martinez said when Williams asked Bryant why he warmed up for so long, the Laker replied, “Because I saw you come in and I wanted you to know that it doesn’t matter how hard you work, that I’m willing to work harder than you.”

Martinez said on the day Bryant and his daughter perished in a helicopter crash last Jan. 26, he inaugurated the House of Kobe in Valenzuela.  It’s one of six NBA-themed wooden courts he has put up in barangays at no expense to the city. There are also courts honoring Michael Jordan, Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics.Around the city are murals of June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, Jimmy Alapag, Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand, Robert Bolick and C. J. Perez on walls of buildings and playgrounds. A Samboy Lim statue is a visitor’s attraction. Soon to open are “Bahay Alamat,” honoring the Philippines greatest basketball players and a Golden State Warriors-themed court.

“On video, I even called on Kobe to visit the court dedicated to him in Valenzuela, not knowing that eight hours later, he would die,” said Martinez. “I cried for two days.  Since we opened the House of Kobe, we’ve received over 3,000 visitors, many of them Laker fans from the US who traveled just to see it.  I think it’s the only one of its kind. My dream is to make Valenzuela the basketball capital of the Philippines and maybe, the world.” The House of Kobe opens at 8:24 a.m. and closes at 8:24 p.m. It’s located at Tomas Manuel Subdivision, Barangay Karuhatan.

Several PBA players, Meralco coach Norman Black, Phoenix team manager Paolo Bugia, NLEX marketing officer Alan Gregorio, Sangguniang Kabataan officials led by Margo Dantes and coach Vis Valencia’s St. Vincent School Golden Wings six-peat basketball champion team of the Athletic Association of Private Schools, District 1-Quezon City attended the exhibit opening. Among the PBA players were Larry Fonacier, Asi Taulava, Cyrus Baguio, Cliff Hodge, Simon Enciso, Jammer Jamito, Jay-R Reyes, R. J. Jazul, Nico Salva, Almond Vosotros, Prince Rivero, Ryan Araña, Bobby Ray Parks, Adrian Wong, Bong Quinto, J. C. Intal, Ryan Reyes, Lervin Flores, JayJay Alejandro and Jaypee Mendoza.