Local board brands and pros are emerging in the Philippines and we have to embrace our ownΒ and support one another - no one is going to aid the scene except the skateboarders. Normal people think that skating is just a block of wood or a toy for children but what they don't know is it can also be a regular job and of course business. However, we are in a third world country and it's going to be a tough industry to break into, but let's not lose hope and overcome all difficulties.
This is going to be a Pro Spotlight series to provide positive reinforcement to people that we have Filipino skateboarders that are professional in their field, small businesses supporting our pros and in-depth information that we can also excel in this kind of industry.
Please enjoy this Q and A
When did you start skateboarding, who influenced you and how long have you been skating?
F%#ck it's been a long time [laughs] I remember when I was in high school probably 2nd year. My buddies influenced me in my neighborhood, Magdalena boys, Bagumbong punks(inmate), and the homies from Norkal.
The first time I saw you was in San Antonio skate competition and you were using a skateboard with braces on it because it was already cracked, was that the time that Jack Nonato Sponsored you?
Yeah! Yeah! I remember that. That board was solid [laughs] I didn't have money at that time. Well, I was just asking boards from homies that were still long but already busted. Actually, there was a skate event in QC Circle, I joined because I was really pumped to skate then you know the Cobra got 2nd place [laughs] then all of a sudden Kuya Mike NPA called me and Jack but they quickly snapped my deck and of course I was shocked why they focused it then Jack told me to separate the trucks on his setup and I can use his board. F%^k! I did have a million dollar smile at that time and giggling with joy I was really happy.
"I DISAPPEARED FROM THE SCENE FOR 3 YEARS TO FOCUS MORE ON EARNING MONEY."
Did you ride for Jackass Skate Project after that?
Not yet but there was a second Jackass game of skate event in KKK I won 2nd place then Jack gave me wheels. I became a part of Jackass officially when there was a skate event in Baguio, I was told by Jack to buy food but when I came back there was a setup on my bed and I asked whose setup is it, he said it's mine what the f%#ck I kept jumping for joy it was an unforgettable moment in my life damn love you paps.
I don't know if this is true but some homies said that you were once a member of famous networking in PH and left skateboarding because of that?
Yeah I disappeared from the scene for 3 years to focus more on earning money because in networking you really need to pay your full attention to the business for you to really gain the profit. I was so burned out that's why I changed my career, left networking and fully went back on my board. Skateboarding is my true love I just can't let go and skateboarding is skateboarding.
"I CHOSE TO BE SOBER BECAUSE I WAS AN ALCOHOLIC AND I WAS NOT INTO SKATEBOARDING IMAGINE GOING TO THE SPOT TO GET DRUNK."
How is working with Jack Nonato is he a strict boss?
Papi is good. I'm really speechless because whatever kind of trip I'm into, he also feels the trip that I like. No pressure at all and I can just do my thing just skate and represent Jackass and his brands and maintain the handsome look for sure you are all good to him.
Since you've been skating for many years now, what was your worst injury and how long did you rest before skating again?
The worst injury well a lot [laughs] but I remember in Southrock skate park there was a downward handrail and I frontside crooked all of it then the homie started to film but I accidentally slammed my wrist, it was swollen like really swollen it's like elephant chasis [laughs] I tried to disregard it for 2 years so yeah I used to wear a bandage whenever I skate then it just healed by itself because I'm scared to go to the hospital [laughs].
Did the injury make you sober and how long have you been sober now?
Nah, I chose to be sober because I was an alcoholic and I was not into skateboarding imagine going to the spot to get drunk (PD) most of the time [laughs] and also health issues because I had seizures with 3 times already due to drinking too much then I decided to have a clean living for a change. To be exact it's going to be 5 years that I've been sober this February.
How do you explain being sober with the homies drinking after the skate session?
They all know what happened to me but at first, they were not used to it because I was always the one starting the drinking session [laughs] but after a couple of months they got used to it and there's no problem at all because they do support me and we all respect each other.
Let's talk about your band, who named it Cobra Kids and how did it start?
how did it start??? f%$k I don't even know [laughs] it just became cobra kids immediately. That time "halik sa cobra" was really fad [laughs] so yeah maybe that's the reason [laughs] it started on the year end skate party of Oldmarket skate park it was just a trip and we tried to join the skate rock for a change then yeah there were a lot of invites and it kept coming [laughs].
Sometimes if there's a band practice, of course, you want to skate, how do you manage your time skating, band practice, and gigs?
If there's a schedule of a jam then we will jam but if there's a time for skateboarding that's the time we skate. We all skate in the band.
Being in a band is the best but how do you guys handle misunderstandings when it comes to music to play, cover songs, compositions and paying studio rent?
The cobrads have only one trip and if there are things that we will add or remove then we will arrange it so it's all good. we all have different genres but it will still be with the same sound and we are all sharing to pay the rent.
You're in a serious relationship, does your girlfriend understand skateboarding and you being in a band? does she let you skate and how about quality time since you're doing a lot things?
F$#k yeah! she is really supportive whether it's skateboarding, band or goofiness she always understands that's why I admire her. Just balance everything for happiness to always come.
Let's go back to skateboarding, how did you turn pro for Hampaslupa skateboards? was there a surprise party? can you tell us the behind the scenes?
I think before the board was released I was always joining skate contests, I was really hungry for all events [laughs] then I won in Camsur (C1rca tour) I got 3rd place and best trick there then after a month my board and Papi's signature boards were released. There was no event or any party the board was just released on social media.
Is your pro board sold out already and is there going to be another board?
The board that was released was the 2nd graphic which is my signature. The first one was sold out and I made a mistake not to keep one [laughs] and now we only have 4 pieces left I guess? we only have 50 pieces as a limited release for collection. Next? hmmm [laughs] we will find out the next chapter when batman returns.
Who is the graphic artist that designed your board?
The first one was Crist Espiritu and the 2nd was Cholo Valenzuela DSR
How much is the commission for a pro board sale?
669% [laughs]
"I'M NOT A HARDCORE SKATER. I'M ONLY A SOFT STYLER IN THE SIDEWALK."
What does "Halik Sa Cobra" mean and the 669 number?
It started in Pampanga we went partying in a friends house it was a heavy party we didn't go out for 3 days drunk all the way [laughs] anyway it started when we picked up a snake pendant then we all kissed it while it was in my hand. I'm not sure but when we were going back to Manila everyone was just saying it. What the f$%kng life [laughs] then 669 because 666 is the devil and 669 is already pass that number for being too devilish what the f%#k laughtrip.
How long did "THE tv: Seriously Bro" take to film? and how long did you film your part?
Actually it was just a seriously bro video trippings and good times with the homies probably it took 1 year to film. We just filmed a lot because we were not busy at the time and just skate, we didn't realize that all of us had our own parts so we complied it for a full part then we had a premiere in the Expo so yeah good times and solid experience.
For all your parts, what was the hardest and most insane video that almost made you hospitalized because you want to satisfy your fans?
For me, there was no hard tricks because I'm not a hardcore skater [laughs] I'm only a soft styler in the sidewalk [laughs] just for fun and always no pressure and just do what you are enjoying especially my parts in Extra Gravy and Hampaslupa those were the parts that I enjoyed the most.
"I TRIED FRONTSIDE FEEBLE FIRST TRY IN A FLAT BAR BUT I ROLLED MY ANKLE IT WAS NOT 1 FOOT BUT IT WAS BOTH FEET!!!!"
Let's talk about youtube, what kind of camera do you use and are you going to invest in DSLR soon and what do you use for editing?
I'm just using a cellphone camera and sometimes I'm filming in my friends iPhone then I will just get the clip for a high resolution [laughs] Nah I don't have any ambition to be a vlogger because I'm not a super vlogger it's just a trip on my channel and I use inshot viva video.
There are millionaires now on Youtube. What's your goal this year, are we going to expect more skate commentaries?
So far that's not part of my goal. if I have a free time and if I don't have work or if I'm not busy I'm just doing my own sh^&.
How about Jerwin "Spanky" Santos' documentary?
There's a documentary already just check out Kuya Llyod Briones' Beast of the east's channel I was featured there together with the locals in my neighborhood.
Any crazy stories that you would like to share?
I went to a skate competition but when I arrived all of a sudden I started to take a shot (PD) and the contest was not even starting yet. Then when it was my run f#4k I was kind of dizzy with the power shot which was Gin without a chaser I was like what the f#4kng paking sh$%. Then when I tried frontside feeble first try in a flat bar I rolled my ankle it was not 1 foot but it was both feet!!!! [laughs] it was f#4kd I decided to go home and got sick [laughs].
Any shout outs?
Shout out to Shred Everything Radio for this awesome interview, to Jack Nonato you're the best, my homies from Norkal crew, Extra Gravy boys, To Cobra kids, Pinoy Ekis, Grab deparo club, F&CK STOCK CREW!, Strap familia, to my BBQ Dana Mae love you to the moon and back, to all my sponsors I'm very thankful to you guys thank you, to all my friends OKEH KHEYO and lastly to all the people that supported me since daewon mucho love you guys, PMA all day! keep skateboarding fun forever whenever you're happy just go for it aight.