Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic, an independent journalism training program for high school and college students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.
As bats cracked at Oracle Park in San Francisco, fans wearing limited-edition jerseys celebrated their shared roots at Filipino Heritage Night sponsored by the San Francisco Giants. The event at a game in September spotlighted the Bay Area’s thriving Filipino population on one of the area’s largest athletic stages.
“There’s so many of us [Filipinos], and to have the opportunity to be recognized and celebrate our heritage, it’s excellent,” said Charlotte Potente, an occupational nurse from San Jose.
Filipino fans wave a Filipino flag at San Francisco Giants’ Filipino Heritage Night at Oracle park in San Francisco, Calif. on Tuesday Sept. 8, 2026. (Kayla Lee/Mosaic)
Charlotte Potente, center, gathers with family and friends at San Francisco Giants’ Filipino Heritage Night at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Tuesday Sept. 8, 2026. (Kayla Lee/Mosaic)
A couple wears the limited edition jersey for San Francisco Giants’ Filipino Heritage Night in the right field seating area at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Tuesday Sept. 8, 2026. (Kayla Lee/Mosaic)
Anna Marie Maliwat, far right, overlooks the field with family while wearing the limited edition jersey for San Francisco Giants’ Filipino Heritage Night at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Tuesday Sept. 8, 2026. (Kayla Lee/Mosaic)
The Filipino-inspired steakhouse Chiquo and Eva’s is scheduled to open in November 2026 in Benicia, serving a variety of wagyu steaks and side dishes. The photo of a tomahawk steak is not from the restaurant. (Darryl Bush for The Press Democrat)
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Filipino fans wave a Filipino flag at San Francisco Giants’ Filipino Heritage Night at Oracle park in San Francisco, Calif. on Tuesday Sept. 8, 2026. (Kayla Lee/Mosaic)
For many like Potente, the night was like a reunion. Walking along the edge of the stadium, Potente constantly stopped as she ran into cousins, caught up with friends and snapped photos with the bay serving as her background.
In a region separated by bridges, water and city limits, the Giants brought together Filipino baseball fans from across the Bay Area. Filipinos have a large presence in the region with Santa Clara County alone serving as home to over 100,000 Filipino Americans.
But despite being one of the largest Asian American groups in the South Bay, community members often note that their culture can feel overshadowed in an area with diverse demographics.
“I think that a lot of times Asians get lumped into one. So being pulled out as Filipino where Southeast Asian isn’t always highlighted is nice,” said Anna Marie Maliwat, a recruiter and content creator.
Kian Ramos agreed. “I think Filipino culture has gone unnoticed sometimes,” said the 25-year-old radiology technician.
Before the first pitch was thrown out, Filipino Heritage Night transformed the stadium into a community. The evening began as the delicate sound of harp strings played by musician Gabrielle Elyse Oberes Padre, better known as GEO, echoed throughout as she played the national anthem. Filipino youth smiled as they joined on the field alongside players.
A sense of nostalgia followed as Spanky Rigor, co-founder of VST & Company, threw the ceremonial first pitch. He connected generations with his 1970s Manila Sound, a popular music movement in the Philippines that combined western and Filipino elements.
Central to this year’s celebration was the custom commemorative jersey designed by Filipino freelance illustrator LeRoid David. Although it was not David’s first time designing for the Giants, he said he was proud to represent Filipinos across the bay.
“Growing up, I rarely saw anyone like me in the media, especially when it came to representation. That was always my motivation — maybe one day my art can be out there and I can represent the community,” said David, surrounded by thousands of fans wearing his design.
Sitting beneath the giant Jumbotron screen, Chair of Vallejo Pista Sa Nayon, Jen Mojica, watched the game surrounded by family and friends and passed around crab cakes and chips. Mojica, who took part in planning heritage night, said that large-scale events hosted by major franchises offer a platform to inspire younger generations who might otherwise feel disconnected from their roots.
“Our culture is generations of sacrifice, history and storytelling,” said Mojica. “So my motive is to not only promote that, but to invite continued community building and collaboration and also really engage the generations.”
At the seventh inning stretch, Filipino fans were making their presence known . Fans in the section under the big screen waved a Filipino flag across the stands in hopes of getting seen on the Jumbotron.
“I think they [Filipinos] have had a really big boom in popularity over the last couple years,” said Ramos, as she watched the flag waving. “And that’s great to see.”
Kayla Lee is a member of the class of 2028 at Cupertino High School.