Margie Didal did not only make Philippine history – she made Asian Games history.
For the first time, the Lupang Hinarang was proudly played inside the sprawling Jakabaring Sports City thanks to the glittering performance of Didal, who ran away with the Asian Games’ first-ever Women’s Street Skateboarding gold at the JSC Skate Park.
And it was a moment many of the people in her inner circle believed would happen.
“She has the best personality. Everyone just wants to be her friend,” said Didal’s head coach Daniel Bautista.
“She’s a superstar!”
But the 19-year-old had to overcome a lot.
Born to a carpenter and a street vendor, the Cebuana did not let poverty get in the way of her dreams of becoming a professional skateboarder. With style and a smile, she overcame.
“Nag-cutting classes po ako pero mabait po akong anak sa mga kapatid at magulang ko,” a giddy Didal admitted to Aaron Bayato of Radyo Pilipinas.
Didal was a natural, according to Bautista. Just six years into the sport, she was already competing on the sports’ biggest stage: The X-Games. Months after that, she was named to Team Pilipinas in the 2018 Asian Games.
She did not disappoint.
Already dominating the competition, the bold Didas pulled off one of the toughest tricks in her book: a backside 50-50, 360-degree flip.
“That’s my favorite trick,” she reflected.
“This was the first time that Margielyn tried that stunt and is the highest score garnered by any skateboarder so far in the street event,” noted Skateboarding and Roller Sports Association of the Philippines Inc. president Monty Mendigoria.
She will not only bring home gold, but also a PHP 6,000,000 incentive from numerous organizations.
“Bibigay ko po sa nanay ko para makapagtayo kami ng small business,” she disclosed.
The money will go a long way for the family. And she is hoping that her gold will lead to a movement.
“Sana mag-iba ang tingin ng tao sa skateboarders,” she wishes.
“Babaguhin natin yung laro. Sana huwag na tayong hulihin sa daan!”
