Malolos Skate & Bike Community

MALOLOS PRIDE!! Congrats! 💪

❗ ❗ ANNOUNCEMENT❗❗

Due to persistent rainfall and unfavorable weather conditions, BMX JAM 2 will be rescheduled on SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 to ensure everyone's safety and comfort.

𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗦 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 | 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱, 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗹: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹

A skateboard skims across the concrete. Swoosh—the wheels gather speed as the board lifts, twists, and lands with a sharp clack, perfectly beneath the rider's feet. For a fleeting second, the trick is all the crowd sees: the speed, the balance, the precision.

But behind every clean landing is a ride that began somewhere else.

At Uniwild Skatepark in Malolos, that ride belonged to an unlikely competitor. Every skateboarding competition has its favorites. They are often the oldest competitors, the ones whose years on the board have turned difficult tricks into routine. Rarely does anyone expect the smallest skater waiting quietly on the sidelines to leave the strongest impression.

That was the scene on July 31 during a local skateboarding competition at Uniwild Skatepark in Malolos, Bulacan—a park built and sustained by the local skateboarding community. Standing among competitors nearly twice his age was six-year-old Zion Red "Botchok" Jones from North Caloocan. Nothing about him suggested he belonged in the category—until his name was called.

One push became another. Trick after trick, Botchok landed attempts few expected from a child who had been skateboarding for only a year. With every successful run, the crowd stopped seeing a six-year-old competing against older skaters. They simply watched a skateboarder who belonged.

When the competition ended, however, so did the image of the fearless competitor. Botchok stepped off his skateboard and ran straight toward the man who had quietly watched from the sidelines all afternoon. The athlete who had challenged older skaters disappeared in an instant, replaced by a little boy searching for his father after every ride. The crowd applauded the child who skated without fear, but few noticed the man quietly waiting where every ride ended.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱

It is easy to become fascinated by talent. People remember the tricks that drew applause, the confidence to compete against older opponents, and the composure that made Botchok appear far beyond his years. Competitions celebrate performances, but they rarely reveal the child behind them.

Away from the course, Botchok is exactly that—a shy six-year-old who answers with the honesty only children can give. Asked whether he enjoys skateboarding, he smiled and replied, "Opo, masaya po." Asked if he loved the sport, his answer was just as simple: "Opo." There were no dreams of medals or promises of becoming a national athlete. For Botchok, skateboarding is still measured by joy.

That innocence becomes even more remarkable knowing he has been skateboarding for only a year. While many beginners are still learning balance, he is already attempting tricks that surprise even experienced skaters.

Talent explains what happened that afternoon in Malolos. It does not explain how a six-year-old found the courage to stand there. The answer was waiting quietly beyond every ride.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺

Every young athlete has someone who teaches them how to begin. For Botchok, that person was his father.

Paul Vincent Jones was a skateboarder long before his son stepped on a board. What began as his own pastime became something they could share.

"Bata rin ako nag-skateboard. Natuwa nga ako kasi nagustuhan niya rin 'yung laro ko. Maganda ang skateboarding kasi lalakas ang katawan mo."

Paul never planned to raise a young skateboarder. He simply shared something he loved.

"Isang beses nasama lang kami ng kapatid ko, e nakita naming marunong, tinuruan ko na."

Those afternoons quietly turned a father into Botchok's first coach, mentor, and loudest supporter.

"Ako po ang nagtuturo sa kanya."

Teaching a child to skateboard also means teaching them to fall. While children often stand up without hesitation, parents carry fears their children are still too young to understand.

"Masaya po pero nakakatakot din. Nakakatakot kasi siyempre bata 'yan tapos anak mo. Kapag natumumba nga parang ikaw 'yung nasasaktan."

Yet fear has never stopped Paul from supporting his son. From North Caloocan, he willingly travels wherever competitions can help Botchok improve.

"Galing pa kami sa North Caloocan pero idinadayo talaga namin si Botchok kasi doon siya masasanay, 'yan ang maghuhubog sa kanya. Kapag may mga category na pasok si Botchok talagang pinupuntahan namin para ma-practice siya."

Every trip demands time, fuel, and sacrifice. Before every competition, Paul's reminder never changes.

"Kaunting payo, pagpapalakas ng loob at lagi kong sinasabi, relax lang, huwag ma-pressure, mag-enjoy lang."

Whether skateboarding becomes a lifelong career, he believes, should always be Botchok's choice.

"Marami pong nakasuporta diyan kay Botchok, kahit bata pa siya ay may mga sponsor na siya. Kung gusto niya maging career ang skating, ibibigay namin."

Paul's story mirrors countless Filipino parents whose names never appear on medals or scoreboards, yet whose sacrifices are carried into every competition. Still, fathers cannot build dreams alone.

Long before Botchok entered his first contest, a skateboarding community had already spent years creating opportunities from little more than concrete, determination, and belief.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆

His journey did not begin in isolation. It was made possible by a generation of skaters who spent years fighting for something far more basic—a place to stand. With few facilities and even fewer spaces where they were welcome, they built not just skate spots, but a community determined to keep the sport alive.

For James Sapitan, who has been skating since 2009, Uniwild was never the product of government funding. It was born out of necessity.

"It was 2009–2010, ang primary spot namin dati ay ito at doon sa harap ng kapitolyo. Kaya lang na-discover 'to kasi kapag umuulan, dito may bubong, DIY lang noon, patak-patak para may pang-gawa ng obstacle, tapos doon na siya nag-start. Dahil lang talaga sa lack ng facility kaya dito naglaro."

Every obstacle carried the fingerprints of the skaters who built it. They raised their own funds, built their own ramps, and created opportunities for one another.

James believes it was never facilities that sustained skateboarding.

"Yung lack lang talaga ng space lalo na sa mga kagaya namin. Ngayon kasi may mga skatepark na, dati kasi nung time namin wala pa talagang gano'n, talagang DIY culture lang ang bumuhay sa'min."

Today, children enter a skatepark instead of searching for abandoned spaces, finding not only somewhere to ride but also a community ready to welcome them.

"Yes, buhay na buhay lalo na sa mga bata dahil nakikita nila na may avenue para paglaruan. Dati, dito nakiki-usap lang kami, sa kapitolyo naman pinapaalis kami kasi bawal doon. Ngayon kasi may space na specifically para mapaglaruan kaya mas lalong lumaki at mas gumanda ang skate culture dito sa atin."

James believes Bulacan's best skateboarders are still to come.

"International wala pa, yung born and raised dito talaga sa Bulacan, pero eventually feeling ko magkakaroon talaga dahil lumalaki ang eksena, dumarami ang magagaling na bata ngayon. Dati wala kang makikitang mga batang 12 years old and below na nagse-skate kasi usually puro matatanda talaga. Since yung skatepark natin sa Malolos ay kaka-first anniversary pa lang, siguro bilang pa tayo ng ilang taon, feeling ko magkakaroon na tayo ng manggagaling sa Malolos. Maraming magagaling dito sa atin sa Malolos."

Perhaps Botchok is one of the children he speaks of. The community has already done its part. The question now is whether the country's support can finally keep pace.

𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗨𝗽

Communities can teach children how to skate. Parents can teach them how to persevere. But there comes a point when passion alone is no longer enough. Beyond every local competition lies a question neither fathers nor communities can answer alone: How far can young athletes go without stronger institutional support?

Paul confronts that question every time he and Botchok return home to North Caloocan.

"Opo, lalo na po sa amin sa North Caloocan, wala pang skatepark, sa court lang kami naglalaro."

For families like theirs, traveling has quietly become part of training.

James believes Philippine skateboarding is finally gaining attention, but hopes that momentum leads to more skateparks and official competitions across the country.

"Nung time namin sobra, pero since nananalo tayo ng gold sa SEA Games parang ito yung nag-open kahit papaano na suportahan 'to, nagkaroon na rin talaga ng public skatepark. Sana rin ay magkaroon pa tayo ng mga official na competition sa skating, 'di lamang sa Malolos kundi sa iba't ibang lugar dito sa Pilipinas."

Recognition, however, is only the beginning.

"Kulang talaga, pero sa tingin ko kailangan talaga maglaan pa ng mas maraming pondo para sa skaters, para mas dumami pa ang naglalaro at lalaruan ng mga skaters. Suporta rin sa mga manlalaro talaga para makapag-compete sa ibang lugar, karamihan kasi talaga ay nagse-struggle financially pagdating sa dayo-dayo."

Paul shares the same hope.

"Suportahan yung mga bata na naglalaro ng skateboarding kasi puwede natin sila ilaban. Puwede sila mag-compete internationally, support lang talaga. Malaki ang potential, lalo na ng mga Pinoy sa skateboarding. Kailangan talaga ng mas maraming skatepark para mas maraming tao ang mahumaling sa skateboarding. Sobrang kulang sa atensyon."

Perhaps the greatest challenge facing Philippine skateboarding is no longer convincing children to dream. Every weekend, children continue showing up with skateboards in hand, parents continue driving from one city to another, and communities continue creating opportunities wherever they can.

When the competition in Malolos came to an end, Botchok ran toward his father waiting quietly at the sidelines. It lasted only a few seconds, yet it captured everything the competition could not. Behind that embrace stood every unseen sacrifice that made the performance possible—not only of one father, but of communities that built ramps before skateparks existed and parents who kept believing long before medals or recognition arrived.

Skateboarding has never struggled to produce children willing to dream.

For years, parents have carried those dreams. Communities have kept them rolling.

Perhaps it is time for the country's support to finally catch up.

Written by Edrian Josh Roque
Photos by Jake Andrie De Leon
Layout by Franchesca Shereen Bernal

🛹 DOUBLE CELEBRATION 2026 🔥 See you tomorrow 🛹 🛹 🛹

🛹 DOUBLE CELEBRATION 2026 🔥

The wait is over! Join us for a full day of skateboarding, music, and community as we celebrate Jaden’s Birthday and the Explore Co. Anniversary.

Expect an action-packed event featuring:
🛹 Skate Competition
🏆 Best Run (Class A, B & C)
🔥 Best Rail & Best Ledge
🎲 Game of Skate (Boys & Girls)
🎤 Rap Performances
🎧 Live DJ Set
🎁 More categories, prizes, and surprises await!

📍 Uniwild Skate Spot, Malolos Crossing
📅 July 31, 2026 (Friday)
🕘 Registration starts at 9:00 AM

Whether you’re competing or simply supporting the local scene, everyone is welcome. Let’s celebrate, connect, and keep the skate community growing together.

See you at the spot! 🤝🛹

Special Thanks to:

•Malolos Skate & Bike Community
•Greenz
•BLAMELESS skateboards
•𝐎𝐏𝐓𝐌𝐒𝐓
•Bake & V**e
•Amanita Outdoor
•Camp Buhigh
•Drifter Co.
•Uncommon Goods
•Wheel'em
•Yop piercing
•Friendly Skateboard
•Sad and Happy
•Ano Thrift?
•Trapped Out
•Good Neighborhood
•Malaya Skateboards
•HeadRoom
•HAPIP skateboards
•HIGH FLYER

We appreciate everyone who helped make this event possible. 🙌

MALOLOS CITY! ARE YOU READY FOR ROUND 2? 🚲🔥

The highly anticipated sequel is here: MALOLOS CITY BMX JAM 2! 👏 👏 👏

We are taking over on 08•15•26. We have got PARK and FLATLAND competitions locked in.

📣 WE ARE OPEN FOR SPONSORS! 📣

Help us make this event legendary! If your brand or business wants to support the local scene and get major exposure, please message Irvin Clanza (https://www.facebook.com/clanzairvin101) directly for details.

Let’s keep the wheels turning! Set those reminders!