Manny Santiago
Manny Santiago
Skater: Manny Santiago Photography: Zaslavsky
Words: B-Hat Pat
What up Manny?
Nothing much. I'm just chilling down in Florida with the boy David Hamzik. Doing the yearly Florida trip.
How's Florida been treating you?
Florida is good. Always a really good time and it's my second home. Even though I destroyed my ankle and I'm on crutches, it's not a bad time. It beats being in the snow and skating with thermals, sweater, and gloves on. Plus I'm with Hamzik, the funniest kid alive. Can't beat it.
It seems like every year you manage to get down to Florida and leave the rest of us to freeze in Boston. How's that work out?
Well, what happens is it gets way too cold at home to the point where you don't want to skate. You know that. So I'll give David the yearly Myspace message and he welcomes me with open arms. I just stay with him the whole time and kick it with all the Jupiter homies like David Hamzik, Brad Cromer, Chris Hutch, Eric H., Joey Ragali, Bagel, Pang, Anthony Williams, Brendan Carrol, Matt Farah, CheeseĀ
What up Manny?
Nothing much. I'm just chilling down in Florida with the boy David Hamzik. Doing the yearly Florida trip.
How's Florida been treating you?
Florida is good. Always a really good time and it's my second home. Even though I destroyed my ankle and I'm on crutches, it's not a bad time. It beats being in the snow and skating with thermals, sweater, and gloves on. Plus I'm with Hamzik, the funniest kid alive. Can't beat it.
It seems like every year you manage to get down to Florida and leave the rest of us to freeze in Boston. How's that work out?
Well, what happens is it gets way too cold at home to the point where you don't want to skate. You know that. So I'll give David the yearly Myspace message and he welcomes me with open arms. I just stay with him the whole time and kick it with all the Jupiter homies like David Hamzik, Brad Cromer, Chris Hutch, Eric H., Joey Ragali, Bagel, Pang, Anthony Williams, Brendan Carrol, Matt Farah, CheeseĀ
Damn! That's sick! Who's been hooking you up lately?
Pioneers Skate Shop, Shorty's Skateboards, Thunder Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, DC Shoes, Oakley, and Thanks Camera Media.
How's everything going with Shorty's?
Shorty's is tight! We're on the low right now though 'cause everyone quit and it's just Andrew Pott and me, but we'll make a strong come back. You'll see!
What's it like being part of the greatest skateboard companies of all time, Muska, Smolik, Olson, and now Santiago?
I don't even know, it's like a dream. It's crazy to think it 'cause if you were to ask me 3 years ago if I would be on Shorty's I would have laughed in your face and said, "Yeah right." I wish they were still on, but stuff happens you know. People got to live and do what they got to do.
Pioneers Skate Shop, Shorty's Skateboards, Thunder Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, DC Shoes, Oakley, and Thanks Camera Media.
How's everything going with Shorty's?
Shorty's is tight! We're on the low right now though 'cause everyone quit and it's just Andrew Pott and me, but we'll make a strong come back. You'll see!
What's it like being part of the greatest skateboard companies of all time, Muska, Smolik, Olson, and now Santiago?
I don't even know, it's like a dream. It's crazy to think it 'cause if you were to ask me 3 years ago if I would be on Shorty's I would have laughed in your face and said, "Yeah right." I wish they were still on, but stuff happens you know. People got to live and do what they got to do.
Trick: Fs Lipslide Photography: Xeno
Since winning the Minneapolis stop of the Damn AM you've had been getting a bunch of coverage, first with a few small interviews, then tricks in Oakley's "Our Life", and finally Shorty's bumping you from flow to AM status with your first ad. What has it all been like?
It's been really crazy. I mean all this stuff at once, you know. But it's like unreal in a way. We use to joke about this entire stuff happening and all of a sudden it's happening, you know. I'm super psyched on everything that is happening in my life right now and I can only thank God for it.
As the Tampa AM approaches, are you starting to feel the pressure of the whole thing, or is it the opposite because you won a golden ticket straight to the semi-finals, skipping the whole first two days?
Nah, I feel so much pressure 'cause I won the Minneapolis Damn AM. I feel like I have to do better than I think I'm going to do. I'm so hyped I don't have to go through 250 kids though. So I guess that is so much less pressure. It should be wicked fun though 'cause you get to see all the homies and party after the comp.
It's been really crazy. I mean all this stuff at once, you know. But it's like unreal in a way. We use to joke about this entire stuff happening and all of a sudden it's happening, you know. I'm super psyched on everything that is happening in my life right now and I can only thank God for it.
As the Tampa AM approaches, are you starting to feel the pressure of the whole thing, or is it the opposite because you won a golden ticket straight to the semi-finals, skipping the whole first two days?
Nah, I feel so much pressure 'cause I won the Minneapolis Damn AM. I feel like I have to do better than I think I'm going to do. I'm so hyped I don't have to go through 250 kids though. So I guess that is so much less pressure. It should be wicked fun though 'cause you get to see all the homies and party after the comp.
Trick: Kf DisasterPhotography: Xeno
How's your part coming along in Justin Hogan's next video, "Hello
Goodbye"?
It's been hard 'cause I have to top my last part and I tried so hard for my last part, so it's like I have to do stuff I have never done before, you know. So sometimes I get stuck 'cause I don't want to repeat the same tricks. So far it has been pretty good. I saw some of my part already and I'm super hyped on it.
What's the deal with the whole video? Who's having parts, where can kids get it, and when?
As far as I know, it's going to be me, Justin Clement, Matt Fenell, John Coyne, Alex Gourdouros, Serge, Tim Nichols, Dan Zvereff, Dave Bachinsky, Jay Clement, Brad Miller, and Tommy Wisdom. There's going to be a premier at Rye Airfield Skate Park December 29th. Other than that, you can get it at www.ThanksCamera.com when it drops.
What's next on the agenda as far as filming goes? Any other projects you're contributing to?
Yes, actually I'm filming for SkateFL 2. It's a Florida video featuring me, Brad Cromer, Joey Ragali, David Hamzik, Eric H., Matt Farah, Brian Downey, Ben Gore and many more.
Goodbye"?
It's been hard 'cause I have to top my last part and I tried so hard for my last part, so it's like I have to do stuff I have never done before, you know. So sometimes I get stuck 'cause I don't want to repeat the same tricks. So far it has been pretty good. I saw some of my part already and I'm super hyped on it.
What's the deal with the whole video? Who's having parts, where can kids get it, and when?
As far as I know, it's going to be me, Justin Clement, Matt Fenell, John Coyne, Alex Gourdouros, Serge, Tim Nichols, Dan Zvereff, Dave Bachinsky, Jay Clement, Brad Miller, and Tommy Wisdom. There's going to be a premier at Rye Airfield Skate Park December 29th. Other than that, you can get it at www.ThanksCamera.com when it drops.
What's next on the agenda as far as filming goes? Any other projects you're contributing to?
Yes, actually I'm filming for SkateFL 2. It's a Florida video featuring me, Brad Cromer, Joey Ragali, David Hamzik, Eric H., Matt Farah, Brian Downey, Ben Gore and many more.
Trick: Kf CrookPhotography: Xeno
How come you aren't having tricks in Clyde Singleton's "Minority Report"?
I don't know, I never ask, he never asked. I don't really know him. It would be sick though because it sounds like a sick video. I heard Willy Santos is having a part!
You're originally from Puerto Rico right? How'd you end up in Lowell Massachusetts of all places?
Well, when I was four and ran around the projects naked, while my mom chased me around to give me a shower, my dad moved to Lowell. So my mom had no choice but to come, and we still live in Lowell.
Have you been back to Puerto Rico?
Yeah, I went when I was like 12 to visit my family and stuff. Then I went like two years ago for the Krew AM contest. I Had such a good time. It's so beautiful there.
I don't know, I never ask, he never asked. I don't really know him. It would be sick though because it sounds like a sick video. I heard Willy Santos is having a part!
You're originally from Puerto Rico right? How'd you end up in Lowell Massachusetts of all places?
Well, when I was four and ran around the projects naked, while my mom chased me around to give me a shower, my dad moved to Lowell. So my mom had no choice but to come, and we still live in Lowell.
Have you been back to Puerto Rico?
Yeah, I went when I was like 12 to visit my family and stuff. Then I went like two years ago for the Krew AM contest. I Had such a good time. It's so beautiful there.
Trick: Fs Feeble Photography: Zaslavsky
You have a love for Spanish food. If El Polo Loco or Goya was to offer you a sponsorship with all the free products you could get, which one would you choose?
Oh man, this is tough. Goya, hands down. That's Puerto Rico man. All my life all I ate was Goya products. My mom would disown me if I said Pollo Loco, but they do have a mean Dollar Bean, rice and cheese burrito.
You've traveled all over the country skating some of the best parks, but what makes Hadley the best of them all?
It's the TF man. That's where I grew up. That's were I learned everything I know. Plus it has the best vibe when the all the homies roll through.
I heard you were psyched on Jamal Smith.
Jamal is the sickest! He's super nice and super steezy. I don't have to say anything, everyone knows.
Oh man, this is tough. Goya, hands down. That's Puerto Rico man. All my life all I ate was Goya products. My mom would disown me if I said Pollo Loco, but they do have a mean Dollar Bean, rice and cheese burrito.
You've traveled all over the country skating some of the best parks, but what makes Hadley the best of them all?
It's the TF man. That's where I grew up. That's were I learned everything I know. Plus it has the best vibe when the all the homies roll through.
I heard you were psyched on Jamal Smith.
Jamal is the sickest! He's super nice and super steezy. I don't have to say anything, everyone knows.
Trick: Varial Heel 5-0 Photography: Zaslavsky
After watching his footage, whom do you think is better at mini? Jamal, "Youtube sensation and inventor of the Tornado Spin" Smith, or Dave "The
Bull" Bachinsky?
I don't know, Jamal gives Dave a run for his money, but I'd bet on Dave any day against anyone. No one knows the madness. NO ONE!
I got to ask this question. Top five skaters of all time?
This is easy. Rodrigo TX, P.J Ladd, Erik Koston, Paul Rodriguez, and Marc
Johnson.
What's in store with you for the future? Anymore traveling, Cali, Europe, anything?
Well, I'm going home for the New Year and the Thanks Camera premier. Then I'm coming back down to Florida for Tampa, and then hopefully Cali in March for a couple weeks. That's about it.
All right, let's wrap this up. You got anyone you wanna thank?
Steve at Pioneers, Benny at Shorty's, Darin at Spitfire and Thunder, Heath at DC, Dillin and Scruto at Oakley, Judi O'hara, Mom, Dad, Dave Bachinsky, Justin Hogan, B-Hat, Laybold, Pang, Thomas Chrpa, Bagel, Mike Morasco, Criket, King Joe, Rice, Brace, Sanderson, Billy Roper, Sean Mcnoulty, David Hazik, Brad Cromer, Janet Pacheco, Hadley Crew, Florida Crew, S.J.C.P. Skate Park. Sorry if I forgot anyone.
Bull" Bachinsky?
I don't know, Jamal gives Dave a run for his money, but I'd bet on Dave any day against anyone. No one knows the madness. NO ONE!
I got to ask this question. Top five skaters of all time?
This is easy. Rodrigo TX, P.J Ladd, Erik Koston, Paul Rodriguez, and Marc
Johnson.
What's in store with you for the future? Anymore traveling, Cali, Europe, anything?
Well, I'm going home for the New Year and the Thanks Camera premier. Then I'm coming back down to Florida for Tampa, and then hopefully Cali in March for a couple weeks. That's about it.
All right, let's wrap this up. You got anyone you wanna thank?
Steve at Pioneers, Benny at Shorty's, Darin at Spitfire and Thunder, Heath at DC, Dillin and Scruto at Oakley, Judi O'hara, Mom, Dad, Dave Bachinsky, Justin Hogan, B-Hat, Laybold, Pang, Thomas Chrpa, Bagel, Mike Morasco, Criket, King Joe, Rice, Brace, Sanderson, Billy Roper, Sean Mcnoulty, David Hazik, Brad Cromer, Janet Pacheco, Hadley Crew, Florida Crew, S.J.C.P. Skate Park. Sorry if I forgot anyone.
Trick: Varial FlipPhotography: Zaslavsky
3 Comments
Tron says:
Manny is sooo consistent!
hatchet homie eastside what says:
mannys fuckin killin it! what the fuck is a santiago! stay up!
matt says:
yo im waiting to see the footy of him droppin the tre flip fs lip on china 8 i was there and saw that shit happen it was so clean bet its gonna be a banger
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