First Flow

CEBU, Philippines - November 20 marked the premier of the first film that feature an all-star team of local street skateboarders in Cebu.

Produced by DC, an apparel brand that primarily produces performance skateboarding shoes globally, First Flow is the pioneer film to feature DC’s Cebuano team of flow riders in the country and DC is the first skateboard brand to produce such a documentary. On the other hand, Visioneri Skate Park Productions, an all-Cebuano crew of videographers and photographers, skates into film production with this maiden project.

“This video is all about FUN. It’s all about doing tricks and documenting them,” enthused Dr. Eugene Neri, one of the featured riders and owner of Visioneri Landskate in Talisay, the first skate plaza in the country. “It’s about seeing the world through the eyes of a skateboarder,” added Dino Gilladoga, DC – Philippines brand manager.   “

“Only DC has made a local video and launched it here (in the Philippines) successfully. We have a great following of skateboarders here and also in the neighboring provinces. Launching this video is one of the ways to give back to the skating community here in Cebu, of what the skating community has given to DC,” Gilladoga explained.

First Flow is a 30-minute skate film that, according to a press statement, “shows a more realistic look of what happens during a day on a skateboard.” It’s a potent tool to promote the sport, the region and the brand, as well.

The exclusive premier of First Flow held at The Penthouse gathered a crowd that swelled to the brim. It was well-attended by Primer Group of Companies (exclusive distributor for DC in the Philippines) biggies and skateboarding enthusiasts all over Cebu.

DC’s Cebu flow riders Boots Brendan Pajaganas, Gene Tulabing, Ian Vincent Bacalla, Jan Barney Landingin, Larry Torrefiel and Dr. Eugene Neri reaped an enormous applause from an audience of equally proud riders for bravely executing various tricks and unique styles in six cities in the region, namely: Cebu, Danao, Ormoc, Tacloban, Bacolod and Victorias.

These riders, of course, are Cebu’s crème de la crème as personally handpicked by Dr. Neri. “I just chose the guys who are great in skateboarding,” said Neri.

A number of flips down the stairs, and grinds along the ledges seem easy for the six. The balancing acts are utterly thrilling. “Everything was hard. We’re just lucky we didn’t have any major injuries,” admitted Ian Bacalla.

The skateboard culture in Cebu is getting vibrant with the growing number of aficionados joining the dynamic community. But there’s more to this extreme sport than the tricks to master. “We’ve learned a lot from this sport. We’ve learned true values here since for as often as we fall, we develop a heart of gold. When we fall, we just get up, fix ourselves and do it (trick) again and again until we succeed. So, those are the values of commitment and determination. We can apply it in the different areas of our lives,” said Neri. “Basically it’s life. You can apply it in real life,” echoed Bacalla.

DJ Ronnie Poe, who flew in from Manila, spun party mixes to cap the night.

This holiday season, for every purchase of DC product in either DC Ayala Center Cebu or SM City Cebu outlets, one gets a free copy of the video. The video will also be available online for public viewing.

News: Next year, there will be an all-amateur competition for Asia. DC will be choosing representatives from each country. For the Philippines, the best skateboarder will fly to Singapore and will immediately be one of the lucky guys to be part of the global DC team, the first DC team to date.