SF Giants Filipino Heritage Night 2009

Mark your calendars for this Tuesday -- it's Filipino Heritage Night again at the AT&T Ballpark! For the second straight year, the San Francisco Giants are hosting some special Filipino activities and entertainment during their April 21st game with San Diego. This year the featured guest is boxer Manny Pacquiao, who's throwing the first pitch. Arrive early so you can take part in the pre-game Filipino Festival. You can even take home your very own Manny Pacquiao bobblehead doll!

Even though baseball is the American Pastime, it has never really caught on in Manila; the closest that Filipino baseball players have come to gaining national attention was when Zamboanga City won the 1992 Little League World Series -- but got stripped of the title after they found out that some team members were over the age limit. But apparently nowadays, baseball in the Philippines is on the rise; Baseball Philippines is on its 3rd year, they've just started a national junior league, and they're hoping to gain the MLB's support and assistance as they expand their presence in Asia. And this Filipino Heritage night is certainly a step in the right direction towards capturing Fiipino minds.

It certainly has never capture my attention -- but I might actually be lured into the AT&T stadium with the promise of a plate of pork barbecue with java rice.