Jack Nonato And The Hampaslupa Skateboarding Company

By: Moujeck Cabales/Photo by: Jack Nonato and Jun Celso/Article 5 of 7

“Eh baka mga thrasher-thrasheran lang yan (Probably they are just poseur thrashers)”, he bantered. As a proskater for almost 20 years, Jack Nonato now has a derisive amusement over youngsters today, who are trying too hard to be a skateboarder just to be considered 'cool'. Because he and his riders had been in the scene for so long, they had more experience than everybody else. They are the old-schools and hard-cores. And they don't call themselves a ‘skate team’ or a ‘skate crew’, because for them it’s too amateurish.

Nonato and his riders Apa Isla, Jerwin ‘Spunky’ Santos, Carl Mendoza, Dennis ‘Denoy’ Delfin, Ronald Chiong and resident artist Crist Espiritu composed the so-called Hampaslupa Skateboarding group. From what started as just neighbors playing skateboard on the streets during the 90s, it became a 20-year long band of skaters who are passionate for the extreme sport.

“Wala lang, mga magkakatropa lang. Magkakila-kilala lang kami (Nothing, we’re just a bunch of friends. We just sort of know each other), said the 33-year old Nonato when asked how their group came about. Based in Pasig City, this posse of street daredevils have become successful in their skateboarding craft over the years. With their noticeable talents, they got to travel and participate in different skate events and competitions around the country.

Nonato recalled the experiences of doing skateboard demonstrations during their sojourns. “Pumupunta kami sa Cebu, sa Iloilo ganyan pag may big events. Tapos pinag-dedemo kami, o kung minsan suporta lang sa kanila (We go to Cebu, Iloilo and such when there are big events. Then we were asked to do a demo, or sometimes just give support to them)”, said the talented skater. But because of the lack of big name sponsors, Nonato stated that in every skateboarding competition there’s not that much prize and financial assistance.

“Kahit walang bayad, walang pagkain, basta yung tutulugan. Kahit bus fare lang eh, kahit wala nang bayad (Even if there’s no talent fee, no food, just the accommodation. Bus fare is even okay with us, if there’s no pay)”, he recalled. Nonato admits they’re are not like the famous professional skateboarders who have made a lucrative business by getting royalties and doing skate demos.

Aside from that, the seasoned skater also shares his blessings by supporting other skaters when there are skate events and competitions. As of now, he sponsors two talented skateboarders by helping them in their equipment and other needs. “ Sayang ang talent eh. Kung may malaking pera lang ako susuportahan ko lahat, bakit hindi (Their talents could go to waste. If I only had much money I’d support all, why not)”, said Nonato.

Aiming to put up an all-Filipino skateboard company, the 33-year old skater had just recently opened a hobby store last year. Located in Nonato’s own house in Pasig City, the ‘Jackass Project Skate Shop’ is his brainchild. They sell decks, trucks, wheels, stickers and all other skateboarding needs. Aside from offering equipment and apparels, they also specialize in customization services.

“Underground talaga ako, hindi ako commercialized kagaya ng mga nakikita nyo sa mga malls (I am in the underground, unlike the commercialized ones you see in the malls)”, he said when asked about the Jackass Project Skate Shop. By saying ‘underground’, it means it is owned by someone not affiliated with nor sponsored by any big name brands. Solely managed by Nonato himself, he has direct suppliers on all the items he sells. “Hindi ako bumibili sa mga tao-tao, hindi ako nag-ba-buy-and-sell (I don’t buy from people, I don’t do buy-and-sell)”, he added.

Aside from doing small-scale business, the Hampaslupa Skateboarding/Jackass Project Skate Shop also organizes local skate events around their neighborhood. “Organizer din ako, kaso pang-underground lang din (I am also an organizer actually, but I only move in the underground scene)”, Nonato said.

Their latest gimmick was the ‘Tubo King: A Rail Challenge Competition’ held last July 31 at the Ortigas Flyover in Pasig City. Usually the team exerts their own efforts in holding such events, because sponsors are hard to come by. “Minsan may sponsor, minsan wala. Pag ganun, eh di ako lang (Sometimes there are sponsors, sometimes there are none. If there’s none, I’d do it myself)”, Nonato said.

Now also a family man and a house-husband, the 33-year old skater stated that he only plays his skateboard during his free time. He added that being a skateboarder shouldn’t make one unproductive and unemployed, because there are responsibilities and obligations to think about. “Hindi umiikot ang buhay sa pag-iiskate. Hindi dapat na paggising mo sa umaga skateboard na agad nasa isip mo (Life doesn’t revolve on skating. Skateboard shouldn’t be the first thing in your mind when you wake up in the morning)”, Nonato added.

The Hampaslupa Skateboarding maintains a fan page in the famous social networking site Facebook. The Jackass Project Skate Shop, on the other hand, has an online shop in Multiply.