Margielyn Didal an inspiration to the youth

Highlights of media interview
Skateboarding clinic with Margielyn Didal in Barangay Ususan, Taguig City

Question: Why is it important na may mga ganitong programs for Women’s Month?

Senator Pia S. Cayetano (SPSC): First of all, I am so happy that our superstar, Margie Didal, an icon in Philippine sports and women empowerment is with us today in Taguig. Welcome, Margie. To our Bisaya friends, nalipayon ko dili man si Margie kauban namo sa Taguig. There’s a lot of Bisaya here also.

But Margie goes beyond being a Cebuana, Bisaya, and Filipina – she’s a world icon. And we are so happy she’s here. I know her quite well. And aside from coming from humble beginnings, self-taught siya, against the wishes of her own family, na sa una hindi pa nagbigay sa kanya ng support. She decided that this is what she wants and she is now a world-class skateboarder.

So she’s here in Taguig to encourage the young girls and even the young boys, everyone. So I always say, when I see a female athlete like Margie doing what she does, which is world-class, it sends a message to the whole world, to little girls, and to little boys, that girls are just as good as boys, and sometimes better. And that’s very important, especially in the Filipino culture na we give respect to the women in our lives, di ba? Ang lola, ang nanay. May respect naman tayo sa kanila.

But there are certain areas where medyo taboo for girls. When I was growing up, hindi common na mag-bike ang girls. So just being on a bike, I had classmates na pinagsabihan ng parents nila na huwag mag-bike kasi daw mawawala daw ang virginity kapag nag-bike. And then pati horseback riding, bawal daw yan.

So it is still possible that there are adults who believe that sports is not for girls. I mean, let’s talk about Hidilyn Diaz, let’s talk about Margielyn Didal. And so she’s here in Taguig to remind everyone and to show the girls that we invited na girls can do it too, and can do it better sometimes.

And I am happy that Taguig City, of course, with our Mayor, my sister-in-law, Lani Cayetano, is always open to making sports a part of lives, and especially including women in every decision-making that they make as a city, and kami rin, as we make laws for our country, kasama dapat palagi ang babae dyan.

So Happy Women’s Month to everyone and thank you, Margie, for coming to Taguig and celebrating your passion with us.

Q: Margie, ano ang maituturo mo sa mga bata dito?

Margielyn Didal: Good day sa lahat and thanks for coming. And again, Sen. Pia, thanks for having us. And even not today or even since pandemic or when we started skateboarding, andyan ka to support and I am here to also support you pushing for women empowerment.

Gusto ko din i-share kung ano ang skateboarding and gaano kasaya. Even though it’s a bit risky, we work with Taguig officials and with Sen. Pia na I want to push for a skate clinic…especially celebrating women’s month in a safe way. And especially for us skaters, being in the streets, to show people we need a safe place. Isa din kasi yan sa mga kailangan natin, hindi lang safety gears, importante din kasi na safe place and mga taong magga-guide sa atin, especially for beginners. Kasi nung nag-start po ako, may mga skaters na nagtuturo pero kailangan ko rin matuto in my own self, and may times na nagagalit ang mga mas nakakatanda sa akin, mas marunong sa akin kasi ang kulit ko. Paano yan, kapag nakikita kong mag-tricks sila, paano yan, paano yan, nangungulit na paano ang mga tricks. Being that kid, gusto ko i-share sa kanila. But not na pinipilit, but kung willing din sila matuto, andito rin naman tayo na tumutulong mag-teach sa kanila.

SPSC: Pwede ako mag-add? Ang ganda ng sinabi ni Margie na nung nag-aaral pa lang siya, wala pa talaga ang professional na nagtuturo, so she has to ask questions from the others na mas experienced, dahil gusto niya matuto. So now, ayaw mo na mahirapan ang mga bagong nae-engganyo mag-skateboarding because here you are, a professional, you want to be able to teach them. Hindi naman sa shortcut, pero matuto sila in the right way, in the safe way, and in that sense, bumibilis din ang kanilang ability to learn. Kasi nga, na-breakdown mo na step by step. So that’s what we are excited about, that we can grow our grassroots sports using the best coaches, the best trainers, and of course, our superstar, Margie Didal. #