It seems like every month, a new skateboarding pro from the Philippines joins the SEA Games. But, what exactly is this new Filipino athlete doing in the world of esports? Let’s look at two Filipino sports with a bright future. One is skateboarding, a sport that is widely misunderstood and overlooked. The other is esports, a game that’s become increasingly popular worldwide, with the Philippines being the country with the highest number of gamers.
Margielyn Didal
It was not long ago when the first Filipina to grace a major skateboarding event won the Asian Games gold medal. Now, the young skateboarder is aiming to make history by bringing Olympic pride to her homeland. With her infectious smile, Margielyn Didal has already won the hearts of many worldwide. The skater was born in the Philippines and became a household name after winning two gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games. In addition, she won a bronze medal in the Women’s 2020 Tampa Pro Competition.
Didal honed her skateboarding skills in malls and streets, where she was often chased by security guards and police. But Didal quickly realized that she could use her newfound skills to support her family. As the daughter of a street vendor and a carpenter, Didal has a zeal to make her parents and siblings prosperous and affluent. Thus, she pursued skateboarding as a way to achieve her dream of bringing her family out of poverty.
Didal first started skating in 2012, when there were no skate parks in Cebu or Manila. In those days, she was considered a street urchin, and was often questioned by the police. However, she remained dedicated to her sport, and started competing in local competitions. This was how she won her first gold in the Asian Games. She also joined local events and gained confidence as she went along.
After recovering from her injury, Didal will compete in the Street League Skateboarding Championship Tour, which will begin in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 28 and 29. She will also compete in the Queen of Macba event in Barcelona, Spain later this year. Didal hopes to win the gold medal at the Asian Games in 2022. It would not be surprising if she skateboards at the Tokyo 2020 Winter Olympics.
Manila Skate Park
If you have ever wondered where to go for a skateboarding trip in Manila, you are in luck. There are a variety of skate parks all around Metro Manila, including a concrete park with heaps of street obstacles and an enclosed bowl. If you’re an experienced skateboarder, you can spend a day cruising the skate park’s rails and cruising down the ramps. But, if you’re not into skating, there are plenty of opportunities for beginners as well.
The Philippines’ national skate team is still waiting for funds for the skatepark and practice facilities. A gold medal on national television could help motivate the local community to support the sport. Aside from that, the team has to practice outside of the country before competing in international events. A skatepark in a host country is crucial for the team’s acclimatization. A skate park in a competing country allows it to acclimate to the exact conditions of the event, which will help it perform well during competitions.
The Philippine national team is proud of its skateboarding success. The city’s new skatepark is located in Vitas, Tondo. The Manila Skate Park is designed for the city’s youth, as a way to promote skateboarding as a sport and avoid the harmful activities of some youth. Aside from the skatepark itself, the city has a vibrant esports scene, including the popular Starcraft II game.
Margielyn Didal is a Filipino professional skateboarder. Her name is her middle name, and comes from her paternal family. She was born on April 19, 1999, and rose to prominence by competing at the X Games in Minneapolis in 2018. She won a gold medal at the Asian Games and is currently placed third in the 2020 Tampa Pro Women’s Open Finals. She is a true inspiration for Filipino skateboarding.
Didal’s achievements
Didal’s journey to the top of the Philippine skateboard scene is not a smooth one. She was once chased by police officers and gun-toting security guards in Cebu City for skating without a helmet. But despite all the adversity, she persevered and was able to compete in the X Games and Street League Skateboarding competitions. Didal came from humble roots and a hardscrabble upbringing. His mother sells fried quail eggs on the streets to earn a living. However, the family received a bonus from Philippine President Rodrigged Duterte which was used to build a home for Didal and her four siblings.
Margielyn Didal was the first Filipino skateboarder to compete in the Street League Skateboarding (SLS) Pro Open competition. In 2015, she placed fourth in the preliminary round and advanced to the final round. She finished eighth overall and won the flag bearer award in the closing ceremony. She will now receive a bonus of 6 million pesos. She plans to use her bonus to start her own family business.
Didal’s achievements in skateboarding were recognized at the Asian Games. The Filipino skater won a gold medal at the SEA Games in 2014 and was chosen as the first female Philippine skater to compete in the Olympics. Her Olympic debut is another highlight, as she will now be working as a coach for the Olympic women’s street skateboarding competition. But Didal’s career has not been without its challenges. She has broken down stereotypes and is now setting the bar high.
Margielyn Didal was born on April 19, 1999 in Cebu City, Philippines. She was a student at the Cebu City Technical College, where she learned skateboarding. She was able to compete at the X Games Minneapolis in 2018 and won the gold medal at the Asian Games 2018. In the meantime, she is pursuing her dream of becoming Asia’s Skater of the Year and has already won two golds at the Southeast Asian Games.
Misunderstood sport
Skateboarding is a growing sport in the Philippines, yet the misunderstood nature of the sport has led to misunderstandings about the practice. People are wrongly accused of law breaking, especially when they practice skateboarding in public areas. Skateboarders in affluent areas are often relegated to dirtier construction sites. In spite of these negative stereotypes, skateboarding in the Philippines has gained widespread popularity.
Skateboarding in the Philippines is a popular pastime that has earned its place in international competitions. Aside from being a popular sport in the US, the country has several professional skateboarders. Some of these athletes, like Feliciano and Didal, were once chased by security guards as they practiced their art. Some people believe that it is a sport rooted in culture, but there are also pros who make their living from it.
Although the sport has been gaining popularity in the Philippines, it is still widely regarded as an alien sport. The Philippines is among the world’s most competitive nations. Nevertheless, the sport is widely misunderstood in the Philippines, and it is no wonder that the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission are struggling to keep up with the competition. Regardless of the challenges, the Philippines will be represented at the world championships, and it can only be a good thing.