Rising From Injury: Philippines' First Skateboarding Olympian

TURN SUBTITLES ON VIA "CC". This is "Beyond the Board," the maiden documentary film from Woman In Action Studios, in partnership with Red Bull, telling the inspiring story of the Philippines’ first skateboarding Olympian, Margielyn Didal.
After a remarkable performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she reached the Finals in Skateboarding’s debut event, Margie captured hearts worldwide with her bright personality and fighting spirit. Despite facing a major setback with a fractured ankle on the road to the Paris Games 2024, Margie's resilience continues to inspire.
Rising from the dusty streets of Cebu, Margie Didal is no stranger to adversity. She began her skateboarding journey by selling noodles in a skatepark to make ends meet and borrowing boards from fellow skateboarders who became her first coaches. Her natural talent and competitive spirit led her to the national team, where she put skateboarding on the Filipino map by winning Gold at the 2018 Asian Games and two Golds at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Now, she faces a new challenge: recovering from her injury to qualify for the Paris Games 2024, showcasing her determination and strength.
This documentary delves into the pressures faced by Filipino Olympians, the journey of professionalizing skateboarding, and Margie's quest to inspire the next generation of athletes. This documentary premiered on Go Skateboarding Day, June 21 at the Power Plant Cinema and was also seen on Cignal TV’s ONE NEWS and ONE PH.
We hope that you enjoy this film!
Produced by: WOMAN IN ACTION STUDIOS
Executive Producer / Host / Writer: Gretchen Ho
Producer / Head Writer: Ely del Rosario
Consultant: Lorenzo Manguiat
Researcher: Searle Lira
Director of Photography: Benhur Mojado
Videographers: Bernard Tugade, Ferdie Lopez
Edit Supervisor: Carlo Grajo
Master Editors: Ryan Audencial, Joemar Sarabia
Colorist: Amber Studios
GFX: Kelvin de Vera
Promo Video Editor: Akira Flores
Poster Artist: Alvin Caintic
Transcription: Pauline Hiwatig
Subtitlist: Lu Jean Ong
#MargieDidal #BeyondTheBoard #WomanInAction #Skateboarding #GretchenHo #Documentary #Inspiration #Resilience

[@andrewcarter3368]

I think we have better chance in skateboarding over basketball, it took years for Gilas to win and look at the skate community a lot of potential but less support from the gov't. Here comes Margie winning gold for the Philippines first try and training from DIY spots. I think the gov't should build more skate parks like they build more basketball courts across the Philippines,

[@aryan42162]

Dapat talaga hindi na natin pinagpilitan ang mga sport na hindi naman talaga para sa atin. Gaya ng basketball, para yan sa mga matatangkad. Pansin ko halos lahat ng players, mga import. Lol.

[@andrewcarter3368]

@@aryan42162 agree...we've spent millions on basketball why not to other sports, diba? Build international standard skate and bike parks, have workshops, I think we are investing on the wrong sport.

[@Ryan-ix6dt]

@@aryan42162I don’t know why basketball is Philippines most popular sport. The average height of a Filipino male is 5’4 lol. That’s shorter than the average height of males around the world. The average height of a basketball player is 6’5 which is over one foot taller. There chances of ever playing for the nba is slim. Filipinos should get into soccer or skateboarding. Any sport where size and height aren’t a huge factor.

[@OkinPayaso]

dont compare basketball to skateboarding.... its a whole different world.

[@MendozaJorriel]

May sarılıng sumusoporta sa gilas mga sir.

[@johngilbertdelacruz6481]

Ang laki ng chance naten sa skateboarding, MTB and other sports na di big deal yung height. Mas bigyan sana ng support yung mga ganitong sports kesa sa basketball na wala naman talaga tayong chance

[@precious1daughter455]

she needs to be more recognized and full support by the government!!! if someone could tell me to buy her tshirt in an last olympics she worn . i want to buy it!!like 300$!!

[@buyosalazar1000]

I remember 20 yrs ago people look at us like a drug addict.. No future sa madaling salita.. If you're a skater or play in an underground band you will be recognize as an addict.. Hahaha.. But it's good to see that times have changed a lot.. I'm already 44yrs old but still skating till my body hurts.. And yes, i still play underground music... Why? Because thats happiness at its finest for us

[@charivellesalva6913]

Congratulations Gretchen Ho❤️👏👏 I'm super fan of yours. I hope you will notice

[@dawanoicangi1517]

Still consider her as one of the pride of the Phillippines for representing the country in the sports,CONGRATULATIONS AND GOODLUCK

[@udo1185]

Goosebumps! Wala na dapat patunayan pa! Legend na yan si margie! Nakaka inspired!

[@philyyoung]

I hope this would be an eye opener to PH Sports. Invest in other sports that we can have shot for gold.

[@illrecipe3065]

enjoy skateboarding pa rin Margie! it's all about the fun 😊👊🏽

[@rodneyjeph]

She had her time. Sad to say hindi na nya kaya ang new breed of international skaters. Thank you Marg!

[@silversurfer1781]

Sayang si Marigielyn, mukhang nadistract na sa madaming bagay. Kulang din sa suporta mula sa gobyerno siguro.

[@josejosephdimbla7035]

Super lupet ng mnnga shoot..SUPER CONGRATS IDOL G ❤

[@zacharyfps1938]

ang ganda ng skate park ng baler...grabe

[@kalyeonthespotTV7237]

Love na love talaga to si Gretchen Ho eh.. watching from NZ

[@dmcayetano_]

Thank you for sharing the stories of Filipino athletes! Kudos to your team, sobrang ganda ng vision nyo in sharing these inspirational stories for future Filipino athletes :)

[@jheytravel2770]

Napaka Ganda ng documentary nato .. Panalo skatepark sa Baler nung napuntahan ko sayang hindi pwede bmx rider ..

[@skitburg8764]

No proper skating facilities but able to win gold. There's a lot of basketball facilities but having difficulty to win gold.

[@Azrsq]

Japan at top 🇯🇵

[@hereandthere4751]

Thats fr

[@CassandraSalandanan]

Inspiring! LOVE that Margie was able to tell her story :)

[@chocksmangaspar1363]

Naalala ko noong nag skate ako sa concave skatepark with the Vans team and event sa cebu. Nag Game of Skate kami ni margie sa concave, sobrang bata pa nya doon pero marami na syang flip tricks that time 😊

[@gotzyart2121]

Bros Before.. Ho's documentary is superb!

[@Pd611]

Lol😂 you funny bro!

[@OkinPayaso]

solid documentary maam Gretchen Ho👊👊👊👊 as a skater myself servin life in a penal colony..... it brought me tears thinkin about da early solid years of skateboarding in da 90's.... salamat maam... much respect to Margelyn Didal👊👊👊👊👊 acid kaau men❤️ more power👊👊👊👊👊

[@iecesea9677]

Finally nagpost ka din❤❤❤❤❤

[@msights7987]

Well done; the narrative was really clear. I suppose what's behind the scenes is far more interesting! to differ. Keep making formal connections with people!Continue working on projects that are just narrative in nature.

[@emmanuelguaren143]

yah... Didal was already a gold for Phil. skate... but if this will just stuck here... very ordinary... it shall replicate more... it was shown... we can... good or best program shall be infused ... Pinoy can...

[@precious1daughter455]

i want to frame it and displays and be proud of her!! hope GRETCHEN PASS THIS COMMENTS BY ME! 300$??

[@linnm5859]

Thank you for creating documentaries like this ❤

[@JesusBautistaIII]

Well never win a medal if we're no so serious... They say have fun and enjoy competing but not too much. Look at Japan's women skateboarders you seldon see them smile and you will see the seriousness and willingness to win Sana ganun din so we can bag that medal in the future.

[@Howtodailylifestyle]

PANIS✨🔥 That's was Skateboarding was🔥🔥🔥

[@Arbigale]

Goosebumps watching, what an inspiration

[@mrcsmcdny4488]

Now they recognized what skateboarding can do.

[@liloancebulakawlakaw]

Kudos kay Mamm Gretchen and sa lahat ng gumawa The Margielyn Didal Story ganda pagka edit. ;)

[@xxmikasaxxgaming1834]

Tama yan mag skate ka lang ng mag skate gat di kpa baldadu

[@JessSuazo]

Iba ang saya na nararamdaman pag naka buo ka ng isang trick!

[@BobWila]

such a good docu! kudos Ms. Gretchen! go pinas!

[@hereandthere4751]

Idol Margiiieee wooooo!!!❤

[@princekhaylemarzan4391]

One day makakapasok din ako sa Olympics ❤

[@justin10969]

Solid margielyn padayon lang skatesafe always ❤

[@Panzer435]

So overall, this was a great documentary. But I don’t know why you left that one of her biggest accomplishments. Just off the top of my head, I do believe Willie Santos is the only Filipino who ever had a professional model shoe in skateboarding or in any other sport in the world. She had an amazing color-way with New Balance 272. Where is she use the rice leaf wrap on her side panel. That’s one of the Dopest color ways ever. Please bring it back NB and put it in all your new balance stores throughout the Philippines. Let’s really support this amazing woman. Salamat Po.

[@mosaicpaint3223]

"because there is nothing here in Cebu....", hayyyyy, agree with this. the hardest part out of this is the infrastructure. we dont have support to grow skateboarding when we should.in honesty, she should have a team by now - and an Olympic level of training center in that city.

[@JohannChuaOfficial]

🫡💪🇵🇭

[@glotty2626]

Gretchen ho, ang babaeng alanganin

[@regieoraya7494]

Man, the support from lgu is massive today!. We have so many parks these days. Back in the '90s and early 2000s, you'd get chased by security guards spots like BGC! Massive thanks to the OGs of the community who laid the foundation for new skaters. Margie, in particular, paved the way for the younger gen of skaters!

[@Papoy-yopep31]

Pyter kaayo ning bisaya!💯💨🔥🤙

[@BountyHunthersh]

Wala ba talagang ibang pweding isali?,kasi kung injury dapat may back up.,

[@joahbarcenas8080]

It's July at Paris go go Olimpian Godbless everyone 🎉🙏🏻📸🇵🇭

[@denniscancel9434]

Building a skate park each city will help young pilipino skater

[@siwintor6853]

Naku malabo yan, kukurakutin lang ng mga nakaupo. Kung magpapatayo man, ung pinaka low quality na materials at design.

[@ChristopherArriola-y4p]

Yan ang kakulangan sa mga skaters ntin Lack of skate parks sna suportahan Ng govt. Ntin ang mga kabataan nting skaters. 16:25

[@KabatoMotour]

, , , wow amazing place sir❤❤❤

[@JPX05]

Ang ganda! More dokyu films to come! 👏

[@carlosmunoz158]

want to greet Gretchen Ho, One 🆕 & Margielyn Didal a good morning! 🌄 Good saying Margielyn on your carrier in skateboarding and you once win a Asian Games gold medal before. Meat you at the Manila Polo Club before to honor you for winning the Asian Games gold in 2018. Congrats and good luck to you in future competitions. 😊 🛹 🥇 💜

[@carlosmunoz158]

is represented by Alejandro Muñoz. 😊 💜

[@carlosmunoz158]

represented by Alejandro Muñoz want to greet you all a goodbye! See you and take care. 👍 😊 🛹 💜

[@RonDomingoMejia]

nice docu Ms. Gretchen Ho undoubtedly, every skateboarders dilemma back in the day.

[@jimcheng222]

more docu to come!!! appreciated watching margie and the skateboarding community with this film

[@tfuta9dsu13]

no way cookie$ song played HAHAHA anyway that's a bisdak right there! go didal!

[@botz.tvatbp.675]

New subbie po mam…

[@EMMNTV]

Great Story

[@KakueiAraral]

Margie Did All For PH Skateboarding ❤

[@villmarcchua7107]

Nice Ms. Gretchen

[@nanoeyes21]

Akala ko may skate park na sa cebu coz that was the mayor's to margie na bibigyan sila ng skate park. Mali ba ako? Cebu has a alot of skaters na talented why don't they support their community there? Dito sa ormoc meron na skate park and probinsya pa kami ah? Pero the mayor supports the sports din and they care for the talent of the local players. Sana jan din sa cebu ilado na kay mo sharo di mo maka provide sa inyo mga talents diha.

[@PkolDumancas]

I guess po during post production of this video kakaopen lang ng park sa Talisay, Cebu kaya d nadala sa docu. But it exists hehehe

[@tonytruff]

​​Congrats, Gretch and Marge!

[@joharadatan2098]

Welcome back miss Gretch lol

[@ClarityCollectives]

Fully support at Margie arda didal!!!🎉

[@taratriptayo]

❤

[@ztlhvmavs3481]

more skate park sa Pinas please 🙏🏼

[@ninoytv9739]

👍🏽👍🏽♥️♥️♥️

[@dawanoicangi1517]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@charivellesalva6913]

❤❤❤

[@liloancebulakawlakaw]

UBEC REPRESENT!

[@ocj420]

we love you margie!

[@OliveBartolome]

Congrats po idol

[@markroymangrobang1072]

❤

[@dynamicopace16]

nays wan sir Ryan

[@margepascua4893]

Woah 💪👏

[@benj4ym431]

Gz❤

[@ladd7139]

cringe

[@BobWila]

why?

[@UnoSilencioGaming]

👏👏

[@emseverything7605]

Ganda Direk Kuya Ry. 🤘🏻

[@dioncena1992]

*Padayon lang*

[@reynaldo_santos]

❤❤

[@turfskateboards]