Filipino singer-actor Iñigo Pascual made the Filipino nation proud with his successful and high-energy performance during the Los Angeles Clippers National Basketball Association (NBA) game at the iconic Staples Center in California.
Pascual showed off his singing and dancing prowess in front of over 19,000 NBA fans at the full-capacity Staples Center during the half time show of the game between the LA Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder held on November 20.
The ABSCBN Kapamilya artist serenaded the crowd with hit song “Dahil Sayo” and his new single “Catching Feelings” from his upcoming LP “Options,” under Tarsier Records, a sub-label of Star Music.
Filipino-American acclaimed brand marketer Roslynn Alba Cobbarubias organized the LA Clippers Filipino Heritage Night that brought in Iñigo Pascual.
After his LA performance, Iñigo Pascual went on social media with a story of how his childhood dream his current mission has been brought together at the LA Clippers Filipino Heritage Night: to perform at the Staples Center and to showcase Original Pilipino Music (OPM) wherever he goes.
“I was 7 years old when I first saw the Staples Center in person. From that night I would literally say ‘I will perform in there One Day’ every time I passed by it. I knew it was near impossible but I repeatedly declared it a thousand times.
“After 10 years I moved back to the Philippines, and I passed by it again on the way to the airport leaving for Manila. I said, ‘Imma be back for you’.
“I’ve grown to love and appreciate my homeland, language, and heritage deeply after moving back.
“I’m 22 now, and one of my personal goals as an artist is to be able to be part of that Generation that is able to bring OPM to the World Stage.
“I knew that I would forever be singing Tagalog songs still anywhere I go.
“7 to 22 … I did not think this whole thing would happen. I dreamt of performing at Staples Center and being able to share the music from my homeland… It was a dream… Performed at Staples Center in celebration of Filipino Heritage Night for the Halftime of an NBA Game. “I wanna thank the @laclippers and everyone who was part of making this night happen. TIWALA lang talaga.”
Celebrity friends and supporters flooded Pascual’s Instagram with commendations and positive feedback.
The LA Clippers have been promoting Filipino heritage to thank their supportive Filipino fans. Another LA Clippers Filipino Heritage Night brought in Black Eyed Peas’ Apl.de.Ap and Manny Pacquiao for the halftime charity show.
The National Basketball Association’s LA Clippers cheerleading team Clippers Spirit’s Kyla Fajardo, their youngest crew member, has also been showcased for her who Filipino-American lineage.
The Philippine flag symbols were also on the team shooting shirts worn by NBA champions Golden State Warriors of California during their pre-game warm-up when they were celebrating their 8th annual Filipino Heritage Night.
Even the iconic Pinoy jeepney has found its way to a shirt designed for the United States baseball team Oakland Athletics in their Filipino Heritage Night just this September.
Like Iñigo Pascual many Filipino singers have been making names abroad in various music events, yet remained distinctively Pinoy in love with the OPM, such as award-winning singer Aicelle Santos who won silver at the ASEAN+3 Song Contest in Vietnam and sung “Nais Ko” when she represented the Philippines in Asian Culture Carnival in Beijing.
World-renowned Filipino musical theater actress Rachell Ann Go who bagged Best Actress award for Hamilton performed the nationalist anthem “Bayan Ko” in honor of 2019 World Food Prize laureate Simon Groot during ceremonies held at the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines.
Iñigo Pascual is set to perform on November 23 at the Global Pinoy Idols awards in Las Vegas.
SEND congratulations and cheers to Iñigo Pascual and the LA Clippers for celebrating Filipino heritage!
Like, Follow, Subscribe to GoodNewsPilipinas.com Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Good News Pilipinas! TV on YouTube, new story notifications and e-mail newsletters for updates on more Filipino Pride stories.
