Margielyn Didal's girlfriend a witness to all her sacrifices for golden glory

While she has become a household name seemingly overnight, skateboarder Margielyn Didal's gold medal-winning performance in the Asian Games was a result of years of hard work.

She came from humble beginnings, the fourth of five children of Lito, a carpenter, and Julie, a household helper who also moonlights as a sidewalk vendor. As a child, Margielyn used to help her mother selling kwek-kwek before the skating bug bit her.

Her father initially didn't want her pursuing the sport — it was dangerous, he said, and was no place for a girl — there was no stopping Margielyn. She even stopped her studies at Grade 7 to pursue her passion.

Her girlfriend Jozel Manzanares is witness to all of the pains Margielyn went through — from lost teeth to broke collarbones to loss of sponsors.

Through it all, Margielyn persevered, and her efforts have been rewarded.

"Gusto ko lang sabihin sa kaniya na palagi lang siyang maging masaya, tapos pasalamat siya sa blessings na binigay at sana hindi siya magbago," Jozel said.

But the Asian Games gold is only the start of Margielyn's mission.

In a Facebook video call with GMA News, she said she is setting her sights on a berth in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"Ready for Olympics na and may isa't kalahating taon pa po tayo para mag-prepare para sa Olympics. Aasahan natin 'yan baka mag-gold ang Philippines for the first time," she said.

Her hometown of Cebu City is also cooking up a warm reception for Margielyn.

"We'll be finalizing the heroes welcome of marge because we already got the schedule of his flight to Cebu," Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann De Los Santos said.

Margielyn joined a group of golden girls in the Asian Games that include weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and golfers Yuka Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan, and Kaye Go, who have pointed to women empowerment as a big key to their success.

"Sobrang proud po na isa ako sa mga babaeng nakakuha ng gold. Congratulate ko rin yung iba pang babae at athletes," Margielyn said as her voice breaks.

"Sobrang proud... na maging Pilipino." —JST, GMA News