By BEN ROSARIO
Many are wondering who now has the pair of Kobe 6 rubber shoes that the late Kobe Bryant threw away to fans in his 2011 visit to Philippines.
One shoe is now on display at the House of Representatives. Its owner? House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.
Cayetano said his wife, Taguig City Rep. Lani Cayetano, was instrumental in getting him the memorabilia.
Rep. Cayetano reportedly bought the shoe but her die-hard Kobe husband is not expected to give it up even if experts say it could fetch more than 20 times the original price.
Speaker Cayetano was among the House admirers of Bryant who placed on display in the House of Representatives rear entrance their precious memorabilia of the late basketball icon.
He said that more than the souvenirs and valuable items now on exhibit at the Batasan, the House finds Bryant’s Mamba mentality even more precious.
The House leader said Mamba mentality has served as inspiration of House members to perform at the highest level of public service during the 18th Congress.
The avid Kobe fan opened the “We Love You Kobe” exhibit at the House of Representatives yesterday.
It is not immediately known if President Duterte, whose chopper was expected to land near the area yesterday, will be invited to the exhibit.
Speaker Cayetano said the Mamba mentality which meant “be the best version of yourself” has rubbed off on House members as they have been trying “to be the best version of Congress that we can be.”
“Like all Filipinos, the tragic death of Kobe, lalo na po iyong kanyang daughter, teammate nung daughter niya, iyong pamilya ng piloto, medyo nayanig talaga ang ating mga kababayan,” he said.
Speaker Cayetano said he had been collecting Bryant memorabilia for 20 years now, or since the NBA legend started playing for the LA Lakers in 1996.
Himself a basketball player, Speaker Cayetano recalled that he even “had the privilege of watching” Bryant’s first championship at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
He also remembered that his wife was the first to learn about Bryant’s tragic fate last Monday but did not break the news to him, knowing that it would break his heart.
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