The [Whereabouts]

Beach has been the most common thing everyone thinks off on a Summer season. Yes, it’s fun to go beaching, get some tan skin, and party like you never will the next day. But don’t you feel like you’re sharing the same thing over and over again that it’s just the date that’s changing? Beach is fun but it’s in a way overrated when we think of Summer. How about engaging yourself in some cool sport? But wait, how do you define cool? Well, for me one way to say something is cool is when you’ll be engaging yourself into something you’ve never done before. Or it could be in a way doing what really drives you crazy. I’m sure almost everyone have tried badminton, basketball, tennis, soccer, or perhaps golf at least once in your life. But how about skateboarding? Nada? Perhaps that has something to do with the popularity and season as well. In the US, not at all times that everyone can play skateboarding. First, they have strict law and secondly, it’s only a seasonal game because you can’t play it on a Winter or Fall. Sad, ain’t it?

But hey, we’re not in the US. Philippines is indeed a lot different from what the US has. The law, the season, it’s a lot different. So armed with sick moves using their boards, Aloha Boardsports champion skates from all over the world decided to invade Manila, Philippines. As Thrilla in Manila kicks off the series of skate tours all over the country, Aloha tries to seek out more Pinoy skateboarding prodigies. “Aloha Boardsports aims to continue in engaging skateboarding enthusiasts, by inviting the best in the skateboarding world to serve as inspirations,” shares Freddy Gonzalez, President of Aloha Boardsports. “Their arrival will these skateboarding idols also jumpstart the first-ever skate tour series in the country along with premiere of the Flip’s latest skate video ‘Extremely Sorry’ in Handlebar Bar and Grill.”

Among these star skaters is 14-year-old Louie Lopez, a California-based boarder who is making a name for himself early in his career. He first started skateboarding at the tender age of 6—after being inspired from watching the world-famous pro-skater Tony Hawk skate a vertical ramp at the X-Games.

Lopez will skate along with his idol David Gonzales, the Columbian skater who joined the Flip Skate team in 2008. Luan de Oliveria, Volcom and Tampa Am competitions’ multi-awarded champ, also joins the line up with the European pro-skater Willow, who has likewise been featured in numerous skating videos.

The skater god Mark Appleyard will also wow the Philippine crowd as he shows his tough moves for the tour. Having been a two-time Transworld Skateboarding Skater of the Year and garnering more awards under his belt, Appleyard will show Manila his favorite trick which is the backside smith grind, along with his other famous moves. Meanwhile, Scottish Ewan Bowman, a proskater and also the manager of the Flip’s exclusive skateboarding team, will also be giving his perfect ollies, kickflips, and grinds. Isn’t that fun? This is the perfect sport this summer. It’s cost efficient but will still keep you on the move.