Margielyn Didal among TIME’s Most Influential Teens 2018

MANILA, Philippines — Cebuana skateboarder Margielyn Didal was the only Filipino chosen among TIME’s 25 Most Influential Teens of 2018. 

According to TIME’s list, posted on their website last Friday, the 19-year-old skateboarder “became a national hero in the process” after clinching a gold medal at the Asian Games. 

Didal won the gold medal in women’s street skateboarding competition in the 2018 Asian Games held in Indonesia. 

Didal hails from Barangay Lahug, Cebu City. Her mother is a street vendor and her father is a carpenter.

“We didn’t even have a street skating park where I grew up… At first, my parents didn’t support me as much because skating wasn’t seen as a ‘girly thing,’ but they 100 percent support me now,” she told TIME. 

After her successful stint at the Asian Games, the mayor of Cebu “pledged to build a new dedicated skate park in her honor, with her input.”

Didal is now eyeing the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, where her favorite sport will be included as an athletic event for the first time. 

“It’s going to be the big goal in my life to get that gold medal,” she told TIME. 

“I want to build a new generation of skaters for the future,” she added. 

TIME’s annual list was chosen across numerous fields based on their “global impact through social media and overall ability to drive news.” 

Other famous teens included in the list are Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown, K-pop group NCT Dream, snowboarding superstar Chloe Kim, The Kissing Booth actress Joey King and French professional footballer Kylian Mbappe.