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| "Woman In Action" Gretchen Ho and young Filipina skateboarding sensation Margielyn "Margie" Didal during the opening night screening of "Woman In Action: Beyond The Board" (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Red Bull) |
On June 21, 2024, Gretchen Ho’s Woman In Action releases “Beyond The Board” documentary which chronicled the journey of young Filipina skateboarding sensation Margielyn “Margie” Didal. The screening, held at the Powerplant Mall Cinema, gathered esteemed guests to witness the story of resilience and determination that defines Didal’s career. “Woman In Action”, a travel-documentary program hosted by Gretchen Ho, took the viewers from the bustling streets of Cebu where Didal first discovered her passion for skateboarding. Didal’s journey is one of trials and triumphs, marked by her indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication to her sport.
Born On Rough Roads
Didal’s story began in the streets of Cebu. In the documentary, she shared that compared to other countries, she began skateboarding quite late at 12 years old. Didal narrated how she started learning about skateboarding after she spotted skateboarders riding at a university’s parking lot. She loaned one of their boards to try skating after asking one of the skateboarders how it was done. Since then, her interest in skateboarding only grew. “I used to borrow boards from other skaters,” said Didal in the documentary on her early beginnings as a skateboarder. Because she did not have her own board, Didal found another way to scratch her itch to skate. “We didn’t have phones then, (so) I would pay five pesos at computer shops to spend thirty minutes watching videos in slow motion (to learn) how to do this,” she shared. As a teenager, Didal spent most of her free time at Concave Skate Park where she was soon hired to do random jobs like cooking noodles for the skateboarders. Dani Bautista, Didal’s coach, recounted his early encounters with Didal at Concave. He said that Didal “would ask a lot of questions” and “was super into it". About two months later, Bautista said, Didal would know how to do most tricks on the skateboard. This, he found, made Didal truly special.
Riding Against The Odds
Didal’s path was far from easy. Financial constraints and limited access to proper skateboard training facilities were only some of the factors that added layers of difficulty to her pursuit. Yet, despite these challenges, Didal’s determination only grew stronger. Three months after she learned to skateboard, she joined the first, of many, local skateboarding events in Cebu. She competed against male skateboarders in the competition and reached the finals. “Most events before were joined mostly by men. So, you didn’t really have a choice. You just join. There were other skateboarders who were girls, but they rarely joined competitions. At the time, I didn’t know men and women competitions were supposed to be separate. I thought it was a joint competition, so I think that built me into who I am now," said Didal. Her tenacity and skill made childhood friend Jemath Libre believe she would go far in the skateboarding world, remarking, “She competed against guys, and she really would place." As Didal further honed her confidence and skills, her community of skateboarders, together with her team and sponsors, rallied behind her in support. She took her skateboard training more rigorously, and soon, her name started making waves in the international skateboarding scene. “I appreciate the people around me and they appreciate me. They value me," said Didal of her team and supporters.
The Real Breakthrough
Didal’s career breakthrough came when she won gold at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. She was only 19 years old. A year later, Didal struck gold twice at the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Her meteoric rise soon became a symbol of hope and inspiration for many young skateboarders in the Philippines including 15-year-old John Michael Abarca whom Didal took under her wing. “He reminds me of myself,” she said happily. Beyond the trophies and the medals, Didal’s enduring legacy lies in how she changed the game for skateboarding. Sports journalist Paolo Del Rosario pointed out that focusing on Didal’s international competition achievements overlooks the profound shift she has catalyzed in the discourse surrounding skateboarding. Her influence extends beyond the podium; she has become a source of inspiration, igniting passion and ambition in the hearts of young skateboarders. Del Rosario emphasized that Didal’s journey is far from over, as she continues to push herself to new heights in her sport. He expressed, “At the end of the day, Margielyn still won. You can see it in the kids playing, in the (crowds) in the venues. That’s her gold medal.” Didal’s journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, determination, and resilience in breaking barriers and reshaping perceptions within the skateboarding community and beyond. Asked what she wanted to tell aspiring skateboarders, Didal said, “If I can do it, you can do it too. We each just have our own time and pace.”
Premiered on air via Cignal TV's One News and One PH, “Woman In Action: Beyond The Board" delves deep into Didal’s personal journey, showcasing not just her skill but her fierce determination and indomitable spirit. The documentary highlights the impact of Didal’s success on the skateboarding community, especially among young skateboarders in the Philippines. Featuring interviews with coaches, childhood friends, and fellow skateboarders who have witnessed her trials and triumphs, it portrays Didal’s strong support system cheering for her as she faces challenges head on and always with her infectious smile intact. Discover Margie Didal’s inspiring journey of courage, determination, and resilience, as she rises in the skateboarding scene in “Woman In Action: Beyond the Board" now available on-demand on Gretchen Ho's official YouTube channel which also includes all full episodes of "Woman In Action".
