From wheels to wings

How Kevin Almazan turned skateboarding into his superpower


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Always grateful, always grounded. Kevin never forgets to say hi—even on his way to practice. Keep it up, champ! Stay humble and you'll go places.



Most people take the simple act of walking for granted. For Kevin Almazan, however, movement has always been something he had to figure out on his own. Born without feet, the 19-year-old from Calamba, Laguna, refused to let that stop him from pursuing independence. He just had to find another way—one that turned out to be skateboarding.


I first noticed Kevin at our regional and national qualifiers in Laguna. In the middle of the event chaos, I caught glimpses of him—fluid, fearless, and entirely in control on his skateboard. At the time, I didn’t get a chance to speak to him, but his presence left an impression. It wasn’t until our recent competition in Valenzuela that I finally sat down with him to hear his story. And it’s the story that makes you rethink what’s possible.
Kevin grew up using a wheelchair. Doctors had told his mother to prepare for a life full of limitations, but Kevin had other plans. He refused to let his condition define what he could and couldn’t achieve.

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All smiles for Kevin as he receives his Champion award at the recently concluded Skate Tour Valenzuela 2025 stop by Skate Pilipinas. Proof that passion always finds a way to shine. (Jay Rosos)


“Sabi ng doktor kay Mama, ‘Ma’am, huwag po kayo mabibigla…’ Tapos noong 10 years old na ako, sinasabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘Bakit ganito ako? Ang daming nanghuhusga sa akin,’” he recalled.  (“The doctor told my mom, ‘Ma’am, don’t be shocked…’ Then when I turned 10, I kept asking myself, ‘Why am I like this? So many people judge me.’”)


But Kevin didn’t just want to exist—he wanted to move, explore, and live fully. That’s when he found skateboarding. At first, it was just something fun to try. But it quickly became something more—it became his freedom.


“Napili ko po sport skateboarding kasi masaya, maraming makikilala na kaibigan, at malaking tulong siya sa akin for transpo,” he said.  (“I chose skateboarding because it’s fun, you meet a lot of friends, and it really helps me with transportation.”)


There was a spot in his village where skaters would meet, and that’s where Kevin was first introduced to the community. One of the skaters, Jerry Santillan, lent him a skateboard. Kevin kept at it, returning day after day to practice. Three or four months later, that same skater gifted him a complete skateboard setup. It was more than just a board—it was a turning point.

 

Sacrifices for the dream
 

Kevin was once a student, but he made the difficult decision to leave school—not because he lacked ambition, but because he wanted to support his family in his own way. Pursuing skateboarding wasn’t just about personal passion but about carving a path where he could make a difference.

Skate Pilipinas Vice President and one of the key people for the newly opened Skate park in Valenzuela, Tong Facundo encourages Almazan to do better and that the community is proud for always showing up.  (1).png
Skate Pilipinas Vice President and one of the key people for the newly opened Skate park in Valenzuela, Tong Facundo encourages Almazan to do better and that the community is proud for always showing up. 


With every push, he gained something new—confidence, independence, and a growing sense of belonging in skateboarding. He learned from trial and error by immersing himself in the community. He surrounded himself with skaters who fueled his passion, drawing inspiration from legends like Tony Hawk and the local OG skaters who embraced him as one of their own.

 

Breaking barriers, one trick at a time
 

While others pushed with their feet, he adapted and experimented until he developed his unique riding style. Soon, he started competing.


In 2022, he entered his first skate contest and won. That same year, he dominated another competition in Bulacan, proving that he wasn’t just participating—he was excelling. Then came the Vans Showdown in Malaysia, where he was invited to compete and earned the Best Inspiration Award.


But here’s the thing—Kevin doesn’t want to be labeled as an inspiration simply because of his condition. He wants to be seen as a skater, period.  Skateboarding has always been about forging your own path, about carving your way forward—whether you have two legs or none.

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For Kevin, skateboarding isn’t just about landing tricks or winning competitions. It’s about community, resilience, and finding a space where he truly belongs.
 

“Maraming nagiging kaibigan, then ‘yung mga stress sa bahay nawawala dahil sa tulong ng skateboarding,” he shared.  (“You gain a lot of friends, and the stress from home disappears because of skateboarding.”)


That’s the magic of skateboarding—it doesn’t matter where you come from, what you look like, or what challenges you face.  The moment you step on a board, you’re part of the culture. You’re a skater.

 

A Bigger Purpose
 

Kevin’s story isn’t just about skateboarding—it’s about defying expectations and showing the world that there’s no single way to move forward. This is why I support organizations like Best Buddies Philippines, which create friendships and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), because everyone deserves a chance to thrive—not for what they lack, but for what they contribute.


I may not skate, but I proudly stand with this community.  Kevin’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that the only true disability in life is a negative attitude.