The 1st Wes Skateboarding Competition, a milestone event for the CAMANAVA skateboarding community, successfully took place on February 13 in Valenzuela City, thanks to the partnership between Skate Pilipinas and NLEX Corporation as the event’s co-presenter. The competition, which showcased local talent, also featured a special women’s category open to skaters beyond CAMANAVA.
On February 15, Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian, together with the City Government and NLEX Corporation, officially inaugurated the Valenzuela Skate Park and Paw Park and led the awarding ceremony for the competition winners. During the event, Mayor Gatchalian highlighted the city’s transformation, stating, “Valenzuela is no longer just a city for factories and warehouses. We are a progressive city with a livable community and an inclusive environment where sports, recreation, and public spaces thrive.”
The event was further elevated by the presence of the Philippine national skateboarding team, who supported the competition and delivered an electrifying demo. SEA Games 2019 medalist Renzo “Mak” Feliciano also took center stage, performing alongside Cindy Lou Serna, who clinched 1st place in the women’s category.
Carl Sambrano, President of Skate Pilipinas, emphasized the significance of the competition in furthering the sport’s development. “With skateboarding now an Olympic sport, our vision at Skate Pilipinas is to carve new paths for our community—creating opportunities, fostering talent, and ensuring that Filipino skaters have the platforms they need to excel on the world stage.”
Echoing this sentiment, Aniceto “Tong” Facundo, Vice President of Skate Pilipinas, highlighted the event’s community impact. “As someone who grew up skating in Valenzuela, seeing these skate projects come to life is a dream realized. Skateboarding is more than just a sport; it’s a movement that empowers the youth and unites people from all walks of life. Events like this strengthen our community and inspire the next generation of skaters. It’s more than just an event—it’s a statement that our city values skateboarding and the community behind it. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
NLEX Corporation, a key supporter of the initiative, reinforced its commitment to uplifting local communities. “MPTC NLEX Corporation is committed to uplifting the communities we serve through sports. We are proud to partner with Mayor Wes Gatchalian and the City of Valenzuela for the 1st Wes Skateboarding Competition, a platform for young skaters to showcase their talent. We look forward to more initiatives like this in the future,” said Arrey A. Perez, President & COO of MPTC NLEX Corporation.
The Road Ahead
With the 1st Wes Skateboarding Competition setting the stage for more events to come, the future looks bright for skateboarding in Valenzuela. More competitions, training programs, and new skateparks could be on the horizon—both in Manila and other parts of the country—further cementing the vision in the country’s ever-growing skate scene.
The event was supported by Oatside, which provided ready-to-drink coffee and chocolate packs, and the Valenzuela Skate Organization, which helped enhance the overall event experience.
For now, the newly opened Valenzuela Skate Park stands as a testament to what’s possible when passion meets community support. And as the last skater rolled away that day, one thing was clear—this is only the beginning. The park will be open daily from 5 AM to 12 MN, according to the Public Information Office of the City Government of Valenzuela.
