ASK any Davao local where the best beaches are in the region and surely the name Dahican Beach would be brought up.
It's a crowd favorite for good reason - the world-class beach would challenge that of Boracay Island and the crystal blue waves are perfect for surfing and skimboarding.
Dahican Beach is also the home of some of the country's most talented surfers and skimmers, including professional skimboarder Sonny Boy Aporbo.
Last October 22-23, Sonny won the first-ever Algarve International Skim Competition in Portugal, beating at least 40 other competitors from around the world. A few weeks prior, he was in Spain for the United Skim Tour.
His winning move was adapting the varial kickflip skateboarding trick into skimboarding, which not a lot of skimmers can do because of the complexity of the trick.
Sonny has been bringing Mati City and the Philippines' name into skimboarding stardom in the international stage for years, ever since his first overseas championship title in Malaysia in 2012.
"Ako ra man gud ang participant na Filipino, happy kaayo ko (I'm very happy, I'm also the only Filipino in the contest). First event sa Portugal unya nakadaog pa gyod ta. Dako kaayo garbo ang Pilipinas especially sa Davao, Mati (That contest was the first of its kind in Portugal so it's really a big win for the Philippines, especially Mati and Davao)," Sonny said in an interview with SunStar Davao.
Coming from a poor family in Dahican, Sonny shared how money and food were hard to come by when he was growing up but living by the beach exposed him to the wonders of the ocean, including skimming, surfing, and learning about the wildlife.
That made him realize he wanted to be a marine biologist but financial restrictions couldn't support his dream education. Instead, Sonny turned his focus on skimboarding.
His championships over the years have allowed him to help his family, especially his father who was a fisherman, and his stay-at-home mother. The gift he was most proud of is he was able to buy their own house and lot.
"Dili nako makamtan kini akong naabot karon kung dili sa akong parents. Mao ra na akong balos sa akong pamilya, relax na sila. Ginapalitan nako sila og mga gamit, kanang ma-happy sila. Ang wala saamoa sauna, naa na karon (I would not have done this without my parents. My goal for them is to provide for their needs so they could start to relax and enjoy)," Sonny said.
The next step in his career, and arguably the most challenging, is competing at the United States leg of the United Skim Tour, as well as competing in more international leagues.
For Sonny, acquiring visa and financial support is what hinders him from competing in far-away but major countries for skimboarding, like USA and Brazil.
Expenses covering applying for a visa, airplane tickets, accommodation, and food could get really expensive.
His only wish is to get more support from the government and sponsors, so he could bring more pride to the Philippines.
The more championships he wins, the more Dahican Beach - the place that bred and raised a skim champion - is recognized by foreigners and other tourists which would bring good tourism into Mati City.
"I just do my best samtang makaya pa nako mu-promote, compete, tanan. Ang akoa lang, more support lang kay ang feedback ana, naa ra gihapon sa ilaha. Gusto lang ko makig-compete sa laing lugar, laing mga skimmers... Wala ko ginapili na kung kinsa pa mana sila, ang akoa, gusto ra gyod ko i-continue akong career (I just do my best while I still can. If I achieve more, the country and Mati City could also benefit. I just want to be able to compete in other places against other skimmers and continue my career)," Sonny said.
He added there is still a lot more he wants to show, and he wants to compete against established professionals while representing the Philippines around the world.
After years or practically most of his life spent on competing, Sonny stays motivated to keep mastering skimboarding as there is still a lot to learn and show.
For now, Sonny is motivated to share his talent with kids in Dahican who started out like him - sons and daughters of poor families with not enough financial stability, but if provided with the chance to hone their skills, have the ability to truly shine and excel.
"Mao pud na isa sa akong personal goal. Naa ko talent karon, gusto nako naa ko kabinlan. Sa mga bata, especially kung kinsa tong mutuon, gusto to become a professional, willing ko mag share. Gusto ko naa'y musunod sa akoa (That's one of my personal goals. I want to share my talent to other kids who are passionate and willing to learn. I want someone to continue what I started)," Sonny said. ICM