Raiders host first Filipino Heritage Game
October 22, 2008
OAKLAND, Calif. - McAfee Coliseum played host to more than just the Oakland Raiders versus the New York Jets on October 19: The Raiders and the Filipino American Arts Exposition also collaborated for the first annual Filipino Heritage Game.
Marily Mondejar, president of the Filipina Women’s Network and a Filipino American Arts Exposition board member, said the event followed the success of last May’s San Francisco Giants Filipino Heritage Night.
“I guess they (the Raiders organization) saw that we sold over 5,000 tickets that night and perhaps bring that same success here,” said Mondejar.
Filipino American Arts Exposition board member Professor Antonio Villegas Jr. said the event was momentous for the Filipino community.
“This day is huge, humongous, titanic,” said Villegas. “It’s nice to see the Filipino heritage celebrated on such a big stage and hopefully inspire those who may not know much about our people to learn.”
The festivities began outside the coliseum around 11 a.m., where the Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble performed a number of Filipino folk dances.
“This is definitely a different audience we get to perform in front of,” said Jay Loyola, the artistic director of the Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble. “So it’s nice that we can share our culture with them.”
Before opening kickoff, 28-year-old Filipina boxer Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton was honored on the field.
“I wish there were days like this when I was growing up because it was hard for me to identify myself as a Filipino,” Julaton said. “With events like this, it puts us more on the map.”
Rudy Asercion, executive director of the West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center and another board member for the Filipino arts group, said he hoped that other cultures will be recognized in sporting events.
“Hopefully we started a trend that will get the Korean, Chinese, Japanese, etc. to have their own heritage days at events like this,” said Asercion. “The exposure is huge. The NFL is something that can promote our cultures to the whole country.”
Other Bay Area teams, such as the Golden State Warriors and the San Jose Sharks, have expressed interest in hosting Filipino Heritage Games, according to Mondejar.
Portions of the ticket sales from the game went to the Philippine Children’s Fund of America and the West Bay Pilipino Services Center.
A number of fans were given complimentary Raiders hats with the Philippines flag embroidered on the side.
The Oakland Raiders won the game 16-13 in overtime, improving their record to 2-4.
“We’re the Raiders good luck,” said Villegas.
Photo by Gary Cruz.
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