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Malls across the Philippines turn purple and gold in honor of Kobe Bryant


Several malls in the Philippines have lit up in purple and gold on Monday night as tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant.

Purple and gold are the colors of the Los Angeles Lakers, the team Bryant played for in his 20-year career.

Bryant, also known as the Black Mamba, died on Monday morning (Manila time) along with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City has lit up its globe in purple with the number 24 in white and gold written in the middle.

"Legends live forever. Thank you, Kobe," SM MOA wrote on its Facebook page.

Meanwhile, Eastwood Mall in Quezon City has lit up its facade in purple and gold with the photo of the Black Mamba in the middle and as well as the numbers 8 and 24.

"Heroes come and go, but Legends are Forever. Thank you Kobe Bryant!" the mall said in the caption.

The numbers 8 and 24 are Bryant's jersey numbers for the LA Lakers.

Moreover, SM Seaside City Cebu also paid tribute to the basketball icon by lighting up its facade with purple and gold.

Earlier, the Uptown Mall in Taguig City also lit up in purple, with the name KOBE in gold across its facade.

Filipino fans also gathered outside the Smart Araneta Coliseum to pay their respects to Bryant. 

Bryant and Gianna were on their way to Thousand Oaks to coach and play a basketball game. The father-daughter tandem both loved the sport.

Authorities said there were visibility issues as the foggy weather forced the Los Angeles Police Department to ground their own helicopter fleet.

Bryant is survived by his wife Vanessa and daughters Natalia, Bianka, and Capri, who is only seven months old. — BAP, GMA News

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