By Jason Cruz
Northwest Asian Weekly
![]() At 6'3", Rafe Bartholomew sticks out from the Filipino basketball players he played with, not just because he is white, but because he towers over most of them. Bartholomew lived in the Philippines for three years studying basketball, originally on a Fulbright grant. Bartholomew's passion resulted in a book, "Pacific Rims: Beermen Ballin’ in Flip-Flops and Philippines’ Unlikely Love Affair with Basketball.” (Photos provided by Rafe Bartholomew) |
“It is a love letter to the Philippines from me,” said Rafe Bartholomew, regarding his book, “Pacific Rims: Beermen Ballin’ in Flip-Flops and Philippines’ Unlikely Love Affair with Basketball.” Bartholomew lived, learned, and played basketball in the Philippines. Bartholomew, a 6′3″ white man from New York City, learned Tagalog, adapted to Filipino culture, and familiarized himself with the Philippine Basketball Association. Read the full story







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