6 days Ago By Rob Andrew Dongiapon
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rapplerAds.displayAd( "mobile-middle-1" );MANILA, Philippines – Skate Pilipinas added two new categories to make skateboarding competitions in the country more inclusive.For the first time on a national stage, the adaptive and surfskate categories were introduced in competitions, opening opportunities for more skateboarders in the country.
“Skate Pilipinas is growing — not just in reach, but in depth. We’re becoming known for putting heart at the center of everything we do,” Skate Pilipinas president Carl Sembrano said in a statement after the national association debuted the two categories in the Valenzuela leg of their 2025 tour last April 6. “This tour isn’t just about competition — it’s about connection and community.
Inclusivity now leads our direction, and Valenzuela was a bold first step in making sure every kind of skater feels seen, supported, and celebrated.” The adaptive category saw skateboarders with disabilities compete, with the performance of Kevin Almazan, a skater without legs, leaving the crowd in awe as he dominated the category. The surfskate category, on the other hand, was introduced for the growing number of skaters who ride surf skate boards, which mimic the feel of surfing, but on pavement.
Renz Gelig swept all divisions in the surfskate categories to mark the debut of the new style in the local skateboarding scene.The surfskate category has risen in popularity among young riders in coastal communities, attracting participants from nearby coastal areas. “This isn’t just a tour stop — it’s a message,” Sembrano added.
“We’re building something that reflects the true spirit of the community. Skateboarding is for everyone.”About 75 participants competed in the Valenzuela tour, which kicked off a series of stops for Skate Pilipinas, the official National Sports Association (NSA) for skateboarding in the Philippines.
Cindy Lou Serna reigned supreme in the women’s category, while John Flory “Motic” Panugalinog topped the men’s division of the Valenzuela leg. Meanwhile, John Derick Cruz of Pasig City won in the youth category, followed by Hendrix Zaijan Castillo and Lanz Joseph Manlapaz. For its next tours, Skate Pilipinas looks to hold competitions in Bacolod and Ilocos Norte, where the skateboarding community is slowly growing.
– Rappler.com.
