Top 8 Reasons why I loved Kobe Bryant’s 2009 Manila visit

Posted by Jayvee at July 23rd, 2009

Editor’s Note — So we sent France Pinzon to meet Kobe Bryant and she came back a changed woman. With a torn shirt. Pardons — we’re still trying to sort through the photos she took. Some of them are scandalous. Take it away, France.

8. Knee tremor
I always prided myself for not getting easily star-struck. But to my transitory dismay and eventual admission, Kobe Bryant, NBA’s 2007-2008 Most Valuable Player and last season’s Finals MVP, shook the bejeebers out of my kneecaps while I was about to ask him a question at the press conference.

What’s worse was how I forgot to use my MJ (Michael Jackson) question, which I over-rehearsed just the other night, to have the guy share a little about his predilection for the ‘King’ (not James). Everyone was asking about the Lakers, his tolerance for pain and favorite Filipino food, might as well throw a curve ball out there, I thought—or didn’t.

Bottom line: I waned at “Hi Kobe,”—a very insightful moment for me, indeed.

7. Smoke machine
So usually, I’d see this particular visual effect in 80’s or early 90’s variety shows on the ‘tube, when some TF queen would do a dance number with the Whiplash (complete with lifts and all). Either that or I may have mistaken the character Sheila (from the comedy/horror film Army of Darkness) as Alma Moreno one time.

Excuse my cheese factor, but the fog that built up as Mister-81-points-in-one-game entered onto the Philippine Sports Arena court just added on to my belief that he’s not really of this world. Definitely, not titillating nor scary, but rather ceremonial in the realm of sports.

6. Dogs everywhere
One thing that puts a big smile on my face is a dog sighting. And I saw six huge ones making the rounds in the locations. Securing the place, they were definitely nicer to look at than those sweaty bouncers, slash, UFC rejects, if you’d ask me.

5. Packed venues and screaming straight men
Okay. So I did expect huge crowds in all three venues: The Peninsula Manila, Nike Park The Fort and Philippine Sports Arena. Maaann, that’s Kobe we’re talking about—forget other NBA stars that dropped by our basketball-crazed nation the past year, we (meaning ALL of us lovers of the sport) ain’t missing his return for nothing!

But no cheerleader’s somersault could’ve prepared me for the legions upon legions of Black Mamba diehards—men and women, kids and Barney. (Hey, a lot wore violet!) Many were in Laker #8 and #24 uniforms. Cheering. Howling. Chanting M-V-P. It was absolutely thrilling. Historic, really. For a moment I tried squinting, imagining it was MJ (Michael Jordan) and all the brouhaha still made perfect sense.

4. Flourishing Philippine basketball
Kobe’s return only meant that focus is still on basketball, whether people believe it wrecks the other sports’ future here or not.

Our Nike Elite team is one strong proof that improvement in our basketball program has yet to come to a halt. Mr. Bryant worked them pretty hard yet again during the one-on-one session, to their hearts’ content, I’m sure.

3. Dream Season
The new Nike Dream Season designed specifically for the Asian market byKobe himself (along with the creative team of Nike) is pretty sick. The shoes are set to inspire the dreamers to go back to the streets where, according to NBA greats, all the magic starts.

The lightweight footwear, which has the XDR (Xtra Durable Rubber—ready for the outdoor concrete), were so light, Kobe decided to throw the pair he was wearing out to the outstretched arms of his fans at The Fort. Lucky ducks.

2. Gawad Kalinga’s Sagip program for kids
I had my first GK experience (www.gk1world.com) in 2008 and I must say it’s something that I will always hold near and dear to my heart.

The lucky kids got up close (and I mean 5-inches close) with Kobe, representing Sagip of Barangay Tatalon, Quezon City. Thereafter, Kobe and Nike donated a huge cheque worth P100, 000 to the organization. In return, they gave him a sweet art present.

Each got pats on the head and the sincerest smile from the man himself. And for a moment there we felt embarrassed to admit how green with envy we were of the children.

1. Kobe Bryant
More than the personal glory he’s been receiving for his talent, his skill, his dedication to his craft, more than the 2009 championship, the wicked shoes that cradle his elevation up to the basket, more than the MJ comparison, Kobe is this generation’s sports icon.

Whether or not what he says about the Philippines being his “home away from home” was true, I will choose to believe him because he was able to make a long-term fan out of me in one day.

That, plus he loves Manny Pacquiao.