The Scarborough Shooting Stars combined basketball and Filipino culture as they defeated the Brampton Honey Badgers 82-69 during Filipino Heritage Night at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre on June 27.
Held in celebration of Filipino Heritage Month, the event was presented in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and Filipino lifestyle brand and restaurant Makilala.
The evening featured Filipino-inspired entertainment, community programming and collaborations that highlighted Filipino businesses and culture.
As part of the partnership, Makilala released a limited-edition Makilala x Scarborough Shooting Stars T-shirt created exclusively for the event.
Days before tipoff, the restaurant also welcomed players and team staff for a Filipino meal, introducing them to traditional dishes ahead of the celebration.
Makilala Restaurant partnership
For Makilala co-owner Joel Regular, the partnership brought together two things that have long been part of his life: Scarborough and basketball.
“There was really no debate about it. There was no hesitation when we were asked,” Regular said.
“I grew up in Scarborough with my brother my whole life. So when they asked us to come and bring basketball, our restaurant and Scarborough together, we were just super excited about it.”
Regular said basketball has always been deeply rooted in Filipino culture and has shaped his own upbringing.
“Basketball is such a big part of Filipino culture,” he said.
“My brother (and I) grew up playing basketball. We were always around my dad’s basketball teams.”
Regular considers the kids on his dad’s basketball teams as family.
‘Bring Me’ Challenge
The celebration extended beyond the game itself.
During halftime, fans participated in a lively “Bring Me” challenge, a staple of many Filipino parties and community gatherings.
Contestants searched through boxes filled with familiar Filipino household items and products, racing to find whichever item the announcer called out.
The activity introduced non-Filipino fans to a popular Filipino party game while showcasing everyday products commonly found in Filipino homes.
Scarborough resident and Shooting Stars fan Mario Alcantara said the event gave him an opportunity to celebrate both his culture and his hometown team.
“I’ve been following the Shooting Stars for a while, and when I heard they were having a Filipino Heritage Night, I knew I had to come,” Alcantara said.
“It’s not every day you get to celebrate your culture while watching professional basketball in your own city.”
Regular said seeing Filipino traditions incorporated into a professional sporting event reflects the important role basketball plays within the community.
“It’s always been a part of our community,” he said. “It’s so great to see that it’s so big within the culture.”
A Strong Season for Shooting Stars
On the court, the Shooting Stars continued their strong season, improving to 11-2 while extending their home winning streak to 6-0.
After leading scorer Myles Powell was ejected following an argument with an official, Frank Mitchell and Javan Johnson helped lead Scarborough to victory.
Mitchell finished with 14 points and a Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) record 22 rebounds, earning Player of the Game honours, while the Shooting Stars’ defence held Brampton to 69 points.
Consul General of the Republic of the Philippines in Toronto (right) pose with the Scarborough Shooting Stars mascot. Photo by Luis De Castro
Scarborough limited CEBL MVP candidate Sean East II to 14 points on 27 per cent shooting and held league-leading three-point shooter Cameron Tyson scoreless on 0-for-6 shooting from beyond the arc.
Regular hopes the partnership between Makilala and the Shooting Stars continues to grow beyond a single event.
“I think just building the partnership with the Scarborough Shooting Stars is what I’m looking forward to,” he said.
“As I said, I grew up in Scarborough. Just being a part of it and watching them grow, and then with us growing as well. If we can grow together, that would be the best part of it.”
Alcantara said he hopes Filipino Heritage Night becomes a regular fixture on the team’s schedule.
“Toronto is so diverse, and nights like this bring people together,” he said.
“I’d love to see Filipino Heritage Night become an annual tradition and for more communities to have the same opportunity.”
The event celebrated Filipino Heritage Month while introducing Filipino traditions to a broader audience and strengthening connections between local businesses, community organizations and one of the GTA’s professional basketball teams.
Luis Miguel De Castro is a Changing Narratives Fund-Local Journalism Initiative reporter at Mabuhay Canada and a journalism graduate at Humber Polytechnic in Toronto. Originally from the Philippines, he is passionate about community storytelling, multimedia journalism, and amplifying Filipino voices through meaningful local coverage.
