A Giant Community Party

Published: May 28, 2008 | Author: Krystina Orozco
Total Views: 1629 | Philippine News

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants celebrated Asian Heritage Week – from May 12th to the 17th – with sports, dances, cuisine and sharing in Asian ethnic pride.It’s not all fun and games though. The event served as an occasion to launch an awareness campaign on the dangers of Hepatitis B. San Francisco is said to be the first city to treat Hepatitis B, a strain of virus that attacks the liver. The baseball stars pitched the importance of getting tested and vaccinated. “If we can make a little dent in the awareness we bring, that can be the heart of our philosophy,” said San Francisco Giants EVP/COO Larry Baer.

The Filipino American community packed the historic AT&T Park in great number, bringing with them an unabashed sense of cultural pride. The Filipino Heritage Night of May 14th gave tribute and recognition to the rich culture the community has brought to the Bay Area. Aside from the Filipino community, the Chinese, Korean, and Japanese communities were also given a designated day to celebrate their unique culture through the love of baseball.

“Asians and Pacific Islanders make up 35 percent of San Francisco’s population. We love baseball and we love our San Francisco Giants! On a local level this is two of our city’s great traditions coming together,” said editor and publisher of AsianWeek, Ted Fang. “On a global level, it’s another example of why San Francisco is the gateway to the Pacific Rim."

The Filipino segment of the event kicked off at the Willie Mays Plaza, with traditional dances performed by the Barangay Dance Company of San Francisco, the Hiyas Philippine Folk Dance Company, and the Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble. With men and women wearing the traditional barongs and sayas, these various performances introduced Philippine tradition and history to the baseball fans.

A children’s band played upbeat jazz melodies. Teenagers sported the Filipino pride by wearing the colors of their flag on their jackets.
Lolos and lolas – some in wheelchairs and walking canes – completed the picture of togetherness as a family.
“It’s great to see that every Filipino’s unique dedication to their culture in their own special can be represented and supported by the well-known San Francisco Giants!” says Camille Mamaril of the Hiyas Philippine Folk Dance Company.

After the entertaining performances, the excited audiences made their way to the 7:15 p.m. first pitch between the impressive Houston Astros and the Giants. Regardless of the Giants’ sub .500 record, the Filipino community still made the trip to their View Reserves seating. Before the View Reserve section filled up, many were in line at the concessions stands awaiting for their limited edition Filipino heritage/Giants themed t-shirts.

Before people were able to settle into their seats with their mouthwatering garlic fries and drinks, the Astros took an early 3 to 0 lead in the first inning. Although facing a huge deficit with the Giants’ inept offense, the mostly FilAm crowd didn’t allow the score to dictate their mood. People continued laughing, cheering, eating, and sharing stories with others as the game went along. Small wonder Filipinos are among the ‘happiest people in the world,’ according to Time Magazine.

The loudest and fiercest roar came when the Giants acknowledged ‘Filipino Heritage Night,’ the Filipino community, and some Filipino American boxers. That reaction alone proved that that night was more than just a baseball game but an event for all to capture wider attention for Filipino culture. Some might question why it took so many years for a Filipino Heritage Night to take place. Others would then argue that finally, Bay Area sports teams are finally giving recognition to the Filipino community.

“I have a very positive, good feeling about this. The Giants are reaching out their support in a greater cause to bring awareness. If anybody knew anything about team work, it would be the Giants,” says community relations practitioner Shana W. Daum.