Didal wants father to stop work following Asiad Gold win

MARGIELYN Didal, the Filipina skateboarder who gave Team Philippines its fourth gold medal in the recent Asian Games in Jakarta, wants her father to stop working as a construction worker.

Didal is slated to receive P6-million cash reward from the government and some private sector groups after topping on Wednesday the Women’s Street Final Event in the Asian Games at the JSC Skate Park in Jakabaring Sports City Palembang, Indonesia. She secured the top spot with 30.4 points over Japan’s Kaya Isa.

In an interview for DZMM’s “Good Vibes,” Julie Didal, Margielyn’s mother, said the skateboarder has asked her father to retire from construction work. She said that she was planning to talk with Marilyn on what they would do with the reward money.

Didal said her daughter’s inspiration behind her love for skateboarding came from her parents’ experiences in rollerblading around Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City.

At a young age, Margielyn would usually skateboard after helping her on Sundays to sell newspaper in a church parking lot, she said. Didal is also a “kwek kwek” vendor.

According to Didal, they were initially hesitant to let Margielyn skateboard but they saw that she could do it.

Her daughter’s persistence came to fruition when she was discovered in a skateboarding competition in Tacloban City, Leyte. She later received training in the United States.

“Sobrangproudkamisakanya (We are very proud of her),” Didal said.