By NIKOLE JAVIER
It was Baler’s skateboarding pride Mak Feliciano’s 2019 Southeast Asian Games stint that put in motion the planning of building a world-class skatepark.
In 2018, local skateboarder and licensed architect Lornel Bihasa began drafting proposals of the skatepark in his hometown.
Soon after, Feliciano’s silver medal finish in the regional meet breathed life into Bihasa’s dreams of seeing a skatepark that the tight-knit Taga Baler Skateboarding Community and other locals can enjoy which has since attracted international competitors hoping to experience it.
There, with the view of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range as the skatepark’s backdrop located in Barangay Calabuanan — Baler, known as the birthplace of Philippine surfing, hosted the first-ever World Skate-recognized Southeast Asian Street Skateboarding Competition last Feb. 4 to 5.
Tokyo Olympian Margielyn Didal and her fellow Cebuano Renz Gelig, who would both travel from their province of Cebu all the way to the town to practice at the skatepark, shone brilliantly in the competition that saw them finish as bronze and silver medalists, respectively.
Likewise, Feliciano, who’s been mostly seeing action abroad, copped the bronze medal in front of his hometown supporters behind Gelig and their visiting Thai counterpart in the men’s category.
“Kung ano ‘yung na-experience ko nung nagse-skate ako, gusto kong ipakita na kayang ilagay sa design para magamit nung ibang skaters. Naging advantage sa pag-design ‘yung alam mo lahat. Kaya mong laruan lahat. Kasi ‘yung ibang nag-design, nag-try sila pero hindi nila alam ‘yung feel nung concrete, nung impact,” Bihasa detailed.
“Kasi yung iba nagde-design sila more on sketch lang. Dito gumawa talaga kami ng research,” he added.
When the pandemic restrictions finally eased in 2022, Bihasa finally got to break ground and together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Aurora District Engineering Office, began construction which took completion at the end of the following year.
With funds sourced by Aurora Rep. Rommel Angara and Senator Sonny Angara, the skatepark is soon to officially open to the public as they are still in talks with the capital’s local government unit (LGU) regarding its management and maintenance.
“Dito sa skatepark sa Baler, siyempre first na nakapag-provide ng laruan na meron para sa beginners, intermediate saka professional. Priority namin is local ‘yung gagamit nito. Hindi sila maghe-hesitate na laruan ‘yung park. Kasi we considered ‘yung safety,” he said.
Even before the Baler skatepark officially opens its doors, Bihasa has already been receiving calls including ones from Spain and Nepal asking about the facility and its capacity to host another competition and visiting international teams, respectively.
“Sobrang nakaka-excite kasi parang naging maingay ‘yung pangalan ng Baler skatepark sa Philippines. Umabot na rin ng international,” said Bihasa.
“Nakaka-overwhelm saka masaya. Dati dino-drawing lang namin, tapos ngayon ito na andito na sila lahat. Kasi nung nag-start kami within community lang namin. Tapos next, may mga pumupunta na from different provinces. Puro from Luzon dati, ngayon from Visayas and Mindanao na. Katulad nila Margie. Pinupuntahan nila. Ngayon international na.”
With skateboarding prides like Feliciano and Didal, the skatepark is expected to see more local talents come and grow.
