MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino teen gets into the Time Magazine's list of 25 most influential teens of 2018.
Asian Games gold medalist Margielyn Didal showed some “Pinoy pride” as she marked herself part of Time’s prestigious list.
Time described Didal as “the 19 year old from Cebu City, Philippines, who rose to fame after she bagged a gold medal for women’s street skateboarding competition at the Asian Games.”
According to Time, bringing home that gold made her a “national hero in the process.”
Didal was quoted sharing, “We didn’t even have a street skating park where I grew up.”
The award-winning skateboarder’s family life and humble beginnings were also revealed. A daughter of a street vendor and a carpenter, Didal won competitions even if she didn’t have her own skateboard. With 4 other siblings, Didal shared that her parents weren’t support of her dream at first. She said, “At first, my parents didn’t support me as much because skating wasn’t seen as a ‘girly thing,’ but they 100% support me now.”
Time said Didal’s win greatly influenced skateboarding as a sport in the country, “That medal would be the Philippines’ first Olympic gold and would help cement skateboarding’s status as a serious sport in the country.”
After Didal’s win, the mayor of her hometown Cebu decided to build a brand new skateboard to honor her. The Cebuana teen now has her eyes set on 2020 Tokyo Olympics after for the first time ever, skateboarding will be included as an athletic event.
Didal tells Time, “It’s going to be the big goal in my life to get that gold medal. I want to build a new generation of skaters for the future.”
Aside from Didal, another Olympic gold medalist Chloey Kim also made it to the annual list along with “Stranger Things” teen actress Millie Bobby Brown, singer Billie Eilish and many others.
Last year, two Filipino teens also made it to Time’s 30 Most influential teens. Teen activist Shibby De Guzman and social media influencer Bretman Rock were recognized for their efforts and achievements.
— Sally, The Summit Express
Asian Games gold medalist Margielyn Didal showed some “Pinoy pride” as she marked herself part of Time’s prestigious list.
Time described Didal as “the 19 year old from Cebu City, Philippines, who rose to fame after she bagged a gold medal for women’s street skateboarding competition at the Asian Games.”
According to Time, bringing home that gold made her a “national hero in the process.”
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| Margie Didal is part of Time’s most influential teens of 2018 | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Philippine Sports Commission |
Didal was quoted sharing, “We didn’t even have a street skating park where I grew up.”
The award-winning skateboarder’s family life and humble beginnings were also revealed. A daughter of a street vendor and a carpenter, Didal won competitions even if she didn’t have her own skateboard. With 4 other siblings, Didal shared that her parents weren’t support of her dream at first. She said, “At first, my parents didn’t support me as much because skating wasn’t seen as a ‘girly thing,’ but they 100% support me now.”
Time said Didal’s win greatly influenced skateboarding as a sport in the country, “That medal would be the Philippines’ first Olympic gold and would help cement skateboarding’s status as a serious sport in the country.”
After Didal’s win, the mayor of her hometown Cebu decided to build a brand new skateboard to honor her. The Cebuana teen now has her eyes set on 2020 Tokyo Olympics after for the first time ever, skateboarding will be included as an athletic event.
Didal tells Time, “It’s going to be the big goal in my life to get that gold medal. I want to build a new generation of skaters for the future.”
Aside from Didal, another Olympic gold medalist Chloey Kim also made it to the annual list along with “Stranger Things” teen actress Millie Bobby Brown, singer Billie Eilish and many others.
Last year, two Filipino teens also made it to Time’s 30 Most influential teens. Teen activist Shibby De Guzman and social media influencer Bretman Rock were recognized for their efforts and achievements.
— Sally, The Summit Express
