Filipino fans pay tribute to beloved Kobe Bryant

MANILA, Philippines–Even in his death, Kobe Bryant remains one of the most beloved players for thousands of Filipino basketball fans.

After Bryant’s tragic death on Sunday left millions around the world in mourning, Filipino fans found a way to pay their tribute to the NBA legend in their own ways.

Visual artists at Tenement in Taguig quickly went to work, covering the popular basketball court with a mural of Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who was with him when the helicopter crashed in Los Angeles, locked in an embrace.

The Tenement Court, which has regularly been painted with murals of NBA players, has also been frequented by some of the players during their visits to the country.

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Meanwhile, Uptown Towers in Bonifacio City lit up in purple and gold, the colors of the Los Angeles Lakers where Bryant made himself into a household name in the Philippines on the night of his passing.

Words “Kobe” and “24” can also be seen emblazoned on the building.

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Mall of Asia’s giant globe also shined in purple for Bryant.

https://www.facebook.com/smmallofasia/photos/a.422407774519336/2738843756209048/?type=3

At Smart Araneta Coliseum, where Kobe Bryant mostly held his tours every time he visited, a memorial wall was put up so fans can write tribute messages for the former Los Angeles superstar. The wall will be up until Wednesday.

Fans also trooped to the Big Dome on Monday night and held a candle lighting in honor of their hero.

Those who wish to drop by, the memorial wall for the NBA superstar Kobe Bryant is still here at the Green Gate lobby of the Big Dome. The tribute wall will be up today until Wednesday. #RIPMamba #RIPGianna #MambaOutForever #TheBigDome pic.twitter.com/PZVQlxw9IO

— SmartAranetaColiseum (@TheBigDome) January 28, 2020

At the newly-built “House of Kobe” in Valenzuela, a basketball court which was inaugurated hours before Bryant’s demise, fans have trooped to pay their respects for Kobe by offering flowers and writing messages on the wall.

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Bryant was a frequent visitor in the Philippine capital, visiting seven times in his career from 1998 to 2016. His last trip came just months after he retired from the NBA.