Gravity Games Asia: Highlands Chase 3

Because GGA is on my Bucket List.

I started skating again 1-2 weeks before the event just to get the “skate feel”  and the confidence in bombing hills after not skating for around 5 months. Thanks to my skate buddies Juancho Abejo, Miggy Carandang, Quito Abejo, Ayin Tamondong, Mykee Alvero, and Kaloi Sulpa for the company.

SAD PART:

However, things don’t always go your way. My dad was VERY MUCH against it AND my sister  refused to drive me to Longboards MNL to complete my registration. This was probably because of the huge fat keloid I got during the Bombahan Outlaw last June. My dad despised seeing it and has always discouraged me from skateboarding. Bottomline is, no one wanted to drive me to Makati so I had no chance of completing my registration! I have decided to give up and planned to surf that weekend instead.

huge fat keloid

HAPPY PART:

The day before the deadline of registration, I got a call from Carl Sambrano (The United Skate Shop/TUSS) and told me that he already registered for me. I thought the registration was “sayang” so I rode a cab and rushed to Longboards MNL. Yeah, I commuted even if the taxi fare was so expensive.

So stoked to find my race number on Gmail and get a good luck from TUSS:

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RACE DAY

United riders spent the night before the race at Carl’s house aka TUSS HQ in Ayala, Alabang (yeah I really wanted to say the Ayala, Alabang part, so conyo, haha). There I got myself some goodies from, of course, TUSS. Thanks, really!

Before I talk about the race, I’d just like to thank Dex Tan for sponsoring the breakfast of those who rode in Ralph Ng’s car. HAHA. You the best, Dex! And thanks Ralph for driving us there safely!

My Board

Again thanks Dex for lending me your board. I was trying out his board and he asked me if I liked it but I told him I’m not into drop-throughs. He said he had a topmount and offered me if I wanted to use it, I immediately said yes when I saw it. The set up was really beautiful, how on earth can I reject that offer!! Beautiful hemp deck, beautiful Rey Trucks, Magic bearings, spacers- everything Dex Tan except for the wheels. OH NO!! Respect to that! And to be honest, I really got star struck the first time I saw him in flesh!!

The Race Course

It was okay. I was expecting a faster and gnarlier one though. The first (and I guess the only) hairpin was a very critical one. Di ko matimpla. I wanted to take it through the inside and it was only during my last ride that I realized I had to take it from the outside first. After that was the straight part where the speed starts to pick up, I got very stoked during my first ride. Some riders got wobbles probably because of the sudden change in speed. As for me, I have my own technique to avoid wobbles. Because of that, I managed to get through the race course alive and wipeout-free.

The thing about the race course is that it has cracks that must be definitely avoided. Thanks to Jay Mitra and Paolo Villacorta for giving me tips on how to bomb the course safely. Hearing from them was actually very encouraging. Sobrang respect to both of them.

I always came in last so I guess I need more practice and knowledge in drafting, lanes to take, and all those things in DH a have a little knowledge about.

The Event (Overall)

Kudos to the organizers! It was the safest race I have ever witnessed. The food was so good! The CR, a kuya kept cleaning it. The air was so fresh. The random heat assignment was very professional. We didn’t get thirsty. The shirt was very decent and good-looking. The entire event was just so professional. Respect to all of you.

The After Party

Mickoy Cagalingan offered his place for the after party. It was a good place to socialize and have fun. There were people from United, Skate of the Nation, Contach Longboards, Society Longboards, UNITEC, Funbox Skate Shop, and a lot other skaters. We had bulalo and chicharon bulaklak for dinner. As for me, I grilled liempo which Mickoy placed in Rosemary marinade. Respect to you Mickoy!

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THANKSGIVING

I want to thank God first and foremost for this amazing experience, my parents for allowing me to join, my sponsor TUSS for basically everything, GGA and HC3 sponsors for making the event possible, Bea Celdran for the helmet, Dex Tan for the board and breakfast, MLOB for the energy drink, everyone who helped me and skated with me, and those who believed and cheered for me! Respect!

And to those who doubted me, respect to all of you.

Photo credits: Ayel de Pano, Gethro Velasco, Mark Cahiles, MLOB, TUSS, Mickoy Cagalingan, Juan Janeyo

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~ by katbolina on December 13, 2011.