Vans Go Skateboarding Day brings out community in record numbers

 

MANILA, Philippines – More than an idle holiday, Go Skateboarding Day is a call to action, beckoning rollers out of their homes and onto the streets. On Saturday, June 21, skaters from around the Philippines converged at the World Trade Center in Pasay City to celebrate the only day of the year designated for this counter-culture community. 

Hosted by Vans Philippines, the event drew a reported 10,000 skateboarders to the venue’s main auditorium. And when space became cramped, some convened out front, organizing skate lines as a living banner that said “This is our territory, if only for a day.” 

Admission was free, and so was the spirit as kids as young as 6 and adults in their 40s were allowed to practice their passion without fear of arrest or confiscation, which have plagued skaters across the country in recent years. The few rules that governed were posted in plain sight at the front door: No slippers, no smoking, no fighting, no illegal drugs, no alcoholic drinks.

The strong turnout sent the message that skateboarding was alive and well in the Philippines, but it has taken time for attendance numbers to grow. 

“The first year we didn’t have too many people because we didn’t have the reach with the skateboarding community,” said Wendell Cunanan, CEO of Vans Philippines. “The first year I believe we were at 1,500. The next year we were at 3,000. Last year was about 4-5,000.” 

Cunanan expanded the iconic skateboarding shoe brand to the Philippines in 2009 that now has 30 shoe stores across the country. He also has The Rail, a chain of skate shops in malls that Cunanan hopes to grow to 10 by the end of the year. (RELATED: Vans, Cunanan drive skateboarding in PH)

“It’s a sign of the times, really there’s a skate shop now besides the other ones that’s been around,” he said. 

Skating stress away

Some skate to get from A to B; some skate to meet friends; others skate as an escape from the burdens of everyday life. Like DM, 28, of Muntinlupa City. DM, who was inspired to pick up a board after watching Kevin “Spanky” Long in the skate video Emerica: This is Skateboarding, works as an IT support technician at a Korean call center in Makati.

“It’s great, it’s cool, lots of skaters and I see a lot of friends from the past. Just have some fun and it releases the stress from work,” said the 3-year skateboarding veteran, who skates at the “The Oval” near Bilibid Prison. 

Arianne, 21, of Caloocan City, said she skates away her worries after shifts as a restaurant cashier. “I don’t know if other girls will like it but for me it’s cool and when I go skateboarding it makes me happy.” 

Some may have found skateboarding relaxing, but they were able to get their pulses racing again from rock performances throughout the day. Local alternative mainstays  Urbandub, The Chongkeys, and Buchercons rocked the crowds, but it was Go Skateboarding Day newcomers Curbside that sent the masses into a moshpit frenzy. 

“Usually when we play, people are just standing up looking at us but the crowd here was f–––– crazy,” said Miguel “Migs” Palispis, Curbside’s lead singer. “You feel them and they feel us, there’s a mutual understanding.” 

Curbside, which cites ’90s nu metal bands KoRn, Limp Bizkit, Hed PE, and the Deftones as influences, formed 4 years ago after the 5 members met as music production students at College of St. Benilde.

The members conceived the idea for the band while talking on the side of the curb, Palispis said, hence the name. 

The main event of the night was the Go Skateboarding Day championships, with Mark Fernandez taking top honors and earning P30,000 ($683) in prize money.  

Fernandes, 21, dethroned Vans skate team captain and Asian X-Games veteran Ansey Flores, who came in third after winning last year’s event.

“It feels great,” Fernandes said nonchalantly. Fernandes’ skating earned the respect of Cunanan, who offered him a spot on Team Vans, a commitment that Fernandes won’t have trouble fitting into his schedule. “Di ako pumapasok sa eskuwelahan, skate lang.” (I don’t go to school, I just skate.)

For winning the girls and kids divisions best run competitions respectively, Gwen Cabangon and Vince Allen Roldan earned P8,000 ($182) each. 

Both events saw stiffer competition and higher turnout than in previous years, a sign that those demographics are growing as well.

“I’m very excited because I think the number has nothing to do with bragging that we’re better, but it just speaks about the strength of skateboarding,” said Cunanan. “I want to see how many kids are skating and competing. That gives us more motivation to double [the numbers] next year. Our ultimate goal is to have this event at MOA Arena.” – Rappler.com

A pioneer in skate shoes, Vans shows its support to local skaters by promoting the sport and lifestyle. Enjoy skating and other sports better with some of the best discounts online.