By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Iloilo’s Christopher Leccio Hurich, popularly known in the skateboarding scene as “Ping”, made national headlines after becoming the newest brand ambassador of Vans Philippines.
Born in Mambusao, Capiz and now a resident of Iloilo City, Ping revealed to the Daily Guardian that his appointment came last year during the grand opening of the Vans store in SM City Iloilo.
After the opening of Vans’ store in SM, Ping already signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Vans last September 2023.
Last October 26, 2023, Vans finally revealed Ping as one of their newest brand ambassadors during their “This Is Off the Wall” campaign event.
Together with Ping as the brand’s newest ambassadors were former TV child star Sharlene San Pedro, Raco Ruiz, and Syd Hartha.
“Being a Vans ambassador is an honor and privilege that I will always appreciate. It’s one of my skateboarding and life dreams come true! Thank you Vans Philippines and everyone involved with making this happen for me!” said Ping in an exclusive interview with the Daily Guardian.
Ping already made a name for himself after bagging several local and national skateboarding competitions in the country.
Last June 22, 2019 at Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City, Ping bagged the crown in the Annual National Vans Philippines Go Skateboarding Day Men’s Best Run Category.
Ping also received a nomination for the Asia Skateboarding Awards in Fast Feet category last January 2021.
This being his first-ever international skateboarding recognition, Ping was also honored to be in the same category with the best skateboarders not only in the country but also in the entire Asia.
His recent national achievement was entering the semifinal round of the Skate Pilipinas’ Invision Invitational Skateboarding Competition held in Baler, Aurora, last August 2023.
