Mamba Mentality forever lives on through the House of Kobe in Valenzuela City.
To mark the first death anniversary of the late Laker great, Deputy House Speaker Rep. Eric Martinez led the groundbreaking for Gigi’s Cradle.
Done in memory of Kobe Bryant’s late daughter Gianna, Gigi’s Cradle will serve as a youth sports center for the city of Valenzuela.
“It’s designed like a crib and it will be a multi-purpose building also for the activities of the community here – especially youth activities, diyan gagawin,” said Martinez, who was wearing an authentic Lower Marion Kobe jersey.
“’Yung isang kabataan na maagang kinuha, pero ‘yung dreams niya papunta na rin. So we’ll try to figure it out na ‘yung building na ‘yan will serve as a youth development program of the community with Gianna.”
Besides Gigi’s Cradle, House of Kobe also unveiled an official marker bearing the image of Kobe Bryant, an art gallery, and the 17th championship mock banner.
The ceremony began at exactly 8:24AM on Tuesday.
“Exactly a year ago, we’re back here. This time pinaganda pa natin ‘yung Kobe.”
For Martinez, though his hero is already gone, he will make sure that the legend lives forever.
“Exactly a year ago, we are back here. It’s all about Mamba Mentality. The legacy lives on. Kobe lives on. Mamba Mentality is being the better versions of ourselves every day, not just in sports but in life.”
Last January 26, Kobe, Gianna, and seven others passed away in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
