Well, we didn’t see this coming. Who knew that Kobe had any ties with the Philippines? The design of the Nike Kobe 9 EM “Philippines” drew inspiration from the jeepney (“the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They are known for their crowded seating and kitsch decorations, which have become a ubiquitous symbol of Philippine culture and art”). Another unique feature of this basketball sneaker is the “tsinelas” (tagalog for “slipper”) added to the translucent outsole. I know that the people of the Philippines must feel honored by this because surprisingly, playing basketball is a favorite and popular sport in the Philippines. There is no word on the official release date, so continue to check back with Sneakerfiles for more information.
Photos via NT/Titan
