I dub thee skate ambassador

MANILA, Philippines—I should’ve told US-based professional skateboarder Kenny Anderson that it was his name that was printed at the back of the skateboard deck I bought once upon a time in puberty. It was an overcast Saturday morning, just after the rain stopped and the sun began to creep through the heavy clouds. For one reason or another, I found myself face to face with the Californian pro in a makeshift trailer at the TriNoma Mindanao Open Parking.

The spirit of the youth and the energy of dreamers were emanating from the Converse Asia Crown skate competition that day, the first event of its kind in the country. It was a competition that allowed aspiring skateboarders just one minute to show off their tricks. Like a sudden death match where five skaters are thrown into the pit and the best skater wins not only points, but also respect. Nothing spells “heart” like the determination and passion of a skater.

At the end of the day, only one winner gets to take home the prize: one year supply of Converse skateboarding goodies, P50, 000 cold hard cash, and an all-access pass to Converse skateboarding events worldwide. Not to mention, he/she will be crowned the very first Converse Philippines Skate Ambassador.

At the end of the long and challenging day, with the unpredictable bipolar weather and the faulty construction of the makeshift skate park, it was Rasheed Al Rasheed who took home first place, followed by Jeffrey Gonzales (2nd) and Miguel Madronio (3rd).

Rasheed al Rasheed was crowned the winner of the skateboarding competition with his slick moves, making him a skate ambassador of the very first Converse Asia Crown skate competition and winner of P50,000. Photos by CZAR KRISTOFF

Though locals complained about the build of the rough-and-ready skate park that seemed to affect performances of both local and pro skaters, it was still an event that delivered a unique set of activities: a giant foam pit, live graffiti art and a Tech Deck (finger skateboarding) competition.

We can excuse its birthing pains. There is no doubt there is room to grow for the Converse Asia Crown event in Manila. With the growing number of skate parks in the metro, and the bountiful mix of attendees at the event, the skateboarding subculture in the country is just about clamoring their way up and into mainstream pop culture. Perhaps they are beginning to grow out of just being “punks on the streets,” and have began taking baby steps at becoming perceived as a serious extreme sport in the country.

Heck, there is no better fashion brand to stand behind this budding movement than the cool and classic pair of Chucks.