WINGS UNDER MY FEET

A Filipino’s dream of Olympic glory
article by Cris Carpio-Garing, photos taken by Ibrahim Joel Chavez


I call it my personal J campaign. If i ever do leave Italy, it is what i hope to take away with me - the knowledge that i did everything i can to help this FIlipino brother achieve his dreams. When i first met Jeiar, i was quite touched with his story and he told me that his passion for snowboarding grows everyday.

i feel that my passion for his benefit is growing as well. i really want him to succeed and with the help of KT and other people who see in him the grand potential of a future Olympiad, we are conquering mountain after mountain of obstacles.

A lot still needs to be done.

I post here snippets of my first interview with him for the paper. AN interview, that, in his words, sparked the flames, earning him the first glances from Italian media ( CIty, Metro, and eventually SKY, of which i have footages of and have also posted them here.)

His feet touched earth and the muddy soil, rubber slippers cushioning his small feet as he ran towards the rice fields of Batangas. There, surrounded by nature and the simple, idyllic, if not bucolic life to which he and his brother have grown into, the little boy harboured fantasies of becoming a pilot. Some 18 years later, that same little boy shreds across the snow-covered crests of Monte Bondone.
As his body unites with his board, his mind is cleared of all worries; he becomes one with nature and the sky becomes his home. And then, Gumbay “JayR” Abas Jr., lands on his feet again, breathless from a few seconds of flight but ready to take to the air once more. How has a simple boy from the Orient found his way to the European mountaintops? KT speaks with the Filipino who dares dream of becoming an Olympian.

A Filipino in the snow. That IS a sight to behold.
JayR: (laughs) It’s a pretty amazing thing. It’s funny, though, you saying that. I always bring my being Filipino into what I do.

But from Imus, Cavite toItaly. How did this come about?
JayR: I’ve been here in Italy for almost five years now. January 5, 2004 – I remember it perfectly like it was yesterday – I was taken skiing by a family friend, Florian Palazzolo, to the Dolomiti. It was love at first sight. The snow...it simply took my breath away.

So from the very first instant, you knew – this was something you weren’t going to be able to walk away from?
JayR: Yes. Even if back then, I kept falling down. I really fell a lot! It was both horrible and fun! But even the falls cannot deter me from my ultimate dream.

And this dream is?
JayR: The Canada Winter Olympics 2010. It’s the goal. And I WILL make it. To be able to represent the Filipino as a pro-rider/pro-boarder is a dream I am willing to dedicate my life to.

What steps have you taken to get closer to it?
JayR: We’re slowly moving towards getting accreditation from the Philippine Olympic Committee. It’s a pretty exciting moment– if I get the chance, then after that big step (that of getting accreditation), comes getting sponsors, training, training, and MORE TRAINING.







Snowboarders start very early – some are born into it. In the competitions that you join, do you find yourself at a disadvantage, having just started the sport?JayR: For someone who’s not really training yet as extensively as the others, I can say I’m pretty confident and proud about my achievements. So far I’ve joined the Salice Big Air (3rd place – qualifying, 2006), Fiat Slide Rail Contest (8th ), La Notte del Dragone Big Air, Static Slope-style (5th- Piani di Bobbio), Mystic Free Ride Alana Big Air (5th), Boss of the Park Slope-style (Finals-Monte Bondone), FSI Big Air (Federazione Snowboard Italiana, 4th) and Budweiser Still Contest (photos).


“IN THOSE FEW SECONDS WHEN I AM AIRBORNE, IT IS 100% JUST ME – NOTHING
ELSE, NO ONE ELSE. IT’S JUST ME, THE BOARD AND THE SKY… I LIKE TO RISK, TO DARE AND BE DIFFERENT. IT’S THAT OR NOTHING.” – JayR

And just last week, you were at the Mystic FreeRide Freestyle Competition.
JayR: Yes. It was a great opportunity for me. I placed 5th! There were many of us, and most of them are already professionals and train regularly. It was a real boost in confidence having just participated.





You are slowly making a name for yourself in the circuit. SKY SPORTS did an interview with you just recently.

JayR: Yes, I really want to thank Dodi and Valeria and the Sky people for being with me on this. The interview was aired during the SkySport Uno program last Sunday. (Ciao, Ola!!! – JayR)

Who are your influences in snowboarding?
JayR: Shawn White, of course. He’s the American legend. Then Heikki Sorsa (Finnish) and (Norweigan) Andreas Wiig.

And your sponsor situation?
JayR: It’s very important that I get more sponsors right now, especially come this summer when I hope to train in New Zealand or Switzerland. In the winter season, I might even have to transfer to Monte Bondone BEST – they have offered me a place there in order to have more time training.


And your last words?
JayR: There is more to my snowboarding, more to the Olympics that I keep in my heart – it’s the simple wish of that child years ago – to find the one person I have been looking for all my life. If I am reunited with him, I would be truly happy.

BELOW ARE THE FIRST SLATE OF POSTERS THAT I DID FOR J. WE'LL BE PUTTING OUT MORE, ALONG WITH MORE VIDEOS.




KT follows JR’s dream of making it to the Canada Winter Olympics 2010.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, whether you are an organization or private, write to: carpio_garing@yahoo.it

me buggin' with J

TO SEE THE VIDEOS OF JEAIAR'S INTERVIEW WITH SKYSPORTS ITALIA and GAMES

To read friend Leciram's blog (in Italian) about Jeiar: click here and for her photos taken during jeiar's february competition at the SNowpark in Milan, click here