The Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta is calling on the next administration to include skate parks in the country’s Build, Build, Build program for the next six years.
“The Philippines has a lot of skateboarding enthusiasts – youth who skateboard for leisure and enjoyment. And now that skateboarding has been officially recognized as an Olympic sport, building skate parks can help us discover and train the next Margielyn Didal,” PBA Party-list spokesperson Atty. Migs Nograles said.
“Seeing as most, if not all, presidential candidates have expressed their desire to continue the Build, Build, Build program, we humbly suggest that the development of world-class skate parks be included in the program,” she added.
Nograles issued the statement as Red Bull, who has been backing Tokyo Olympian Margielyn Didal, has announced the second run of its Red Bull DIY, where local skate crews and skate shops can showcase their design and building skills for a chance to make it a reality.
“Having skate parks would give our youth a more productive way of spending their leisure time and at the same time teaching them the discipline and athleticism that comes with the sport.”
Teams may submit designs for a “DIY Skate Spot” where the 15 best proposals will be given the opportunity to execute their plans.
“We laud and thank the private sector for supporting our athletes and for helping the development of this emerging Olympic sport,” Nograles said.
“Having skate parks would give our youth a more productive way of spending their leisure time and at the same time teaching them the discipline and athleticism that comes with the sport,” the Davaoeña lawyer added.
Street skater Didal became the first Filipino to join the X Games in 2018. In the same year, she became a social media darling when she won gold in the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Didal also bagged the gold medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and bronze at the Tampa Women’s Open in 2020. She played through an apparent injury and took the seventh spot at the end of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics women’s street skateboarding event.
According to her Red Bull profile, Didal started skating when she was just 12 at the now-shuttered Concave Park in Cebu City. When the park closed, she was left to hone her skate craft in the streets of Cebu where she was discovered by her coach Daniel Bautista, who recognized her talent and started training her for local competitions.
