The weather wasn’t exactly cooperating when we arrived at Salmon NBA House. Manila was dealing with rain, but that didn’t seem to matter much to the basketball fans who came out for the event.
If anything, the crowd’s excitement made it feel like the game had already started.
From the entrance to the activities inside, Salmon NBA House was designed to feel less like a formal brand event and more like a basketball playground—one where fans could take photos, explore, meet fellow enthusiasts, and eventually see two legends of the sport up close.
And by the end of the day, there was an even bigger reason to celebrate.
The Filipino touch was impossible to miss.
Guests entering the venue were welcomed by a jeepney-inspired entrance, which immediately set the mood for what was to come. It was a simple but effective way of making the NBA experience feel distinctly Filipino.
Once inside, there was plenty to explore.
Different interactive booths were set up around the venue, giving fans something to do while waiting for the main program. It was the kind of environment where you could easily lose track of time going from one activity to another.
Of course, we had to make a stop at the Salmon booth.
Salmon’s booth had a free photo booth where guests could take photos and bring home a physical souvenir from the event.
It may sound like a small detail, but it was one of those things that made the experience more personal. Instead of leaving with just photos stored somewhere on our phones, fans had something tangible to take home.
The booth also featured Salmon merchandise and brand displays, giving attendees a chance to learn more about the company while enjoying the basketball-themed activities.
Naturally, the photo booth became one of those places where friends stopped for a quick photo before continuing around the venue.
The energy noticeably changed when Lauren Jackson and Jason Kidd arrived.
Seeing two legends from the NBA and WNBA in the same space was easily one of the biggest highlights of the event.
Jackson, a WNBA icon, and Kidd, an NBA champion and one of the most respected figures in basketball, spoke about their experiences in the sport and the importance of supporting young players.
Their message was especially meaningful in the Philippines.
Basketball is everywhere here. Kids play it in barangay courts, school gyms, streets, and wherever there happens to be a hoop. For many young Filipinos, the dream of playing at a higher level starts with simply falling in love with the game.
Hearing two basketball legends encourage young players to keep pursuing that passion made the conversation feel bigger than the event itself.
For Filipino fans, getting the opportunity to see Jason Kidd in person was already special.
But what made his appearance even better was the time he spent interacting with the crowd.
There were smiles, photos, and plenty of excited reactions from fans who suddenly found themselves standing just a few feet away from someone they had watched on television for years.
Lauren Jackson also connected with the audience, bringing her own perspective as a trailblazer in women’s basketball.
The two legends represented different sides of the sport, but their message was remarkably similar: young athletes need encouragement, opportunities, and people willing to support their dreams.
Just when everyone thought the appearance of the basketball legends was the biggest moment of the day, Salmon revealed what had really brought the celebration together.
Salmon is officially partnering with NBA Philippines.
The announcement marked a major step for the brand and gave the entire event a bigger purpose.
This wasn’t simply about bringing fans together for one afternoon.
It was about Salmon becoming part of the country’s growing NBA community and creating more opportunities for Filipino fans to experience the sport they love.
For a country as basketball-crazy as the Philippines, that’s a partnership that makes a lot of sense.
The celebration ended with a special photo featuring Jason Kidd, the Salmon team, and its founders.
Looking at the photo, it felt like more than the usual event documentation.
It captured the beginning of something new.
The NBA legend represented the sport’s global legacy, while Salmon’s team represented a local brand stepping into that world. Together, the photo became a snapshot of the partnership officially coming to life.
What I liked most about Salmon NBA House was that it didn’t feel overly complicated.
It was about basketball.
Fans came despite the rain, explored the venue, took photos, checked out the activities, and waited for the chance to see legends of the sport.
Then they got an unexpected announcement that made the entire experience even more memorable.
The jeepney-inspired entrance gave the event a Filipino personality. The photobooth gave fans something to bring home. Lauren Jackson and Jason Kidd brought the star power. And the NBA Philippines partnership gave the celebration a bigger purpose. (with reports from Rochelle Marie Galao)