Meet young skateboarding prodigy and SEA Games gold medalist Mazel Paris Alegado

Back in December 2025, Mazel Paris Alegado made history by becoming the Philippines’ youngest Southeast Asian Games gold medalist after ruling the women’s skateboard park event.

The US-based skater captured the gold at just 11 years old.

“I was like wait, what, really? There's no way… and I was just like really shocked and excited and I was like really happy. And then, I went to the arcade to celebrate, too,” Alegado told Martin Javier in his 24 Oras segment “In the Game.”

The young skateboarder shared that she endured numerous falls leading up to the competition, but chose to focus on enjoying the moment and never giving up—an approach that ultimately paid off with a gold medal finish.

Alegado also tried ballet and cheerleading, but her love for skateboarding began at five years old, inspired by her brother. She started competing just a year later.

“It just felt so good to do. I want to keep doing competitions after that.”

Alegado first represented the Philippines at the Asian Games 2023 at the age of nine.

“It was so cool because it has always been my dream to represent the Philippines, especially like I was nine years old and my first time competing for the Philippines, and I went there and I had fun.”

Despite living abroad, she said Filipino culture remains a big part of her daily life.

“When I come home for dinner, it's like I have Filipino food almost every day,” she said, citing sinigang na hipon as one of her favorites.

“My favorite thing about the Philippines is like everyone about the community is so nice and like super funny.”

—JKC, GMA News