Giral celebrates inclusivity, representation of Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show
Rep. Jose Giral February 13, 2026 | 11:43 AM
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 13 – State Rep. Jose Giral, D-Phila., issued the following statement in response to this year’s Super Bowl halftime show performed by rapper and singer Bad Bunny.
“As a Puerto Rican American, watching Bad Bunny’s performance on Sunday was a truly moving experience,” Giral said. “Seeing our culture and our language at the center of a such an event is more unifying than many people may realize.”
Giral represents a section of Philadelphia’s Northeastern neighborhoods, Legislative District 180, where 45% of residents are Puerto Rican. His district ranks No. 1 in Puerto Rican population statewide.
“You hear a lot about the importance of representation in popular culture, but unless you’ve lived the experience of your culture always being secondary to another, it’s hard to understand the impact. The people in my district, my family, my neighbors, my friends – they all just got to see a Puerto Rican superstar take center stage, even after a lot of backlash.
“And Bad Bunny didn’t only elevate the Puerto Rican culture. He took this moment to also impress upon everyone the diversity of ‘the Americas’ – not just the U.S. – and of different kinds of love and respect, and very artfully conveyed to those willing to listen that we can all rise above the hateful messages that are becoming more prominent nationwide. More people know today that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory than did before Sunday. That fact alone speaks volumes.
“To say I’m proud of this moment is an understatement. I truly hope that viewers in the 180th saw themselves in Bad Bunny’s performance, that people nationwide saw the beauty and history worked into his show, and that his message of inclusion and community continues to resonate.”