Parkour Freerunning: Meeting the Traceurs of Cebu
Parkour is an art where participants run along a route attempting to negotiate obstacles in the most efficient way possible using skills such as jumping, climbing or more specific parkour moves.
My first encounter with this art is with the game Mirror’s Edge and I’ve been interested since then. Just yesterday, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of the Parkour Traceurs of Cebu for a shoot for MagTV Na. 
Parkour as an Art
Parkour from an outsiders view is just like running, dodging obstacles and jumping from point to point. But for those who practice the art, it’s not only the physical aspect but equally with the mental aspect because you develop self-confidence, quick decision making and critical thinking which you can apply into your daily lives.
The moves were awesome and I enjoyed a lot looking at these guys move from point A to point B in a very “stylish” way. But most often, Parkour is practiced without spectators and is not considered to a performance. Although, it’s already gaining popularity especially here in the Philippines where it’s used in Movies or TV Commercials.
They Call Themselves Parkour Sugbo
Parkour Sugbo is the group of Traceurs here in Cebu. It was founded by Sol who is an avid Parkour tracuer and they conduct free parkour sessions almost every week.
In the second picture, it’s Sol, Dale, Vanz, Barbie, Me, Kyle, Red, Jay and Nico. You can get to know more about them in MagTV Na this Oct 18. I’m sure you guys will love it.
Dangerous and Risky Sport?
Well, yes and no. First of all, yes it is dangerous and risky but every sport does have their share of risks. And no because Parkour is NOT considered as a sport. It’s more of an art.
As for beginners who would want to learn Parkour, Sol, Jay and their group shares that the very first thing to learn is the breakfalling which is falling and rolling to the ground as to break your fall and lessen the impact of your fall. These are just some of the things they shared. You can see a lot more of their moves in our feature in MagTV this Oct 18, 2009.
Some Behind the Scene Shots
Final Thoughts:
There you have guys. I also did some Parkour moves of my own! Hahaha All thanks to Sol and his group. They taught me some very basic moves. Haha.
If you guys are interested to try Parkour, post your names here and I can refer you to Sol. They conduct free sessions and are open to new members. Thanks again guys!
Special thanks to Mr Ricky Ballesteros, executive director of Cebu City Sports Complex, for the venue. Photo credit goes to the sister of Barbie, Lyka. Thanks a lot. =]
Check out MagTV Na this October 18 for the full details of our interview. You will also see some of my own parkour moves. Hahaha
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Billy, Jay here
Nico, my younger brother, was the one who got late (he got late coz he was still taking his final exams hahaha)
Hey Jay! No wonder! Now that you mentioned it, you both do look the same! Haha Oh. Final exams period pala ngayon. Hehe.
Anyway, I already changed his name. Thanks again for teaching me the basics of Parkour. I really had a great time!
Yup, final exams week ngayon ng USC. Thanks pala sa pag-change ng name. Kami rin, nag-enjoy na nakasama ka sa PK jam namin kahit sandali lang! I hope sa susunod makakasali ka pa rin!
Wow gusto ko yan! Pero in my dreams na lang.. looks pretty risky
Upload this episode ha
Haha. It is risky! Pero enjoy siya Mica! I’ll see if I can share this segment. Haha. Baka tawanan mo yung Parkour ko. Hahahah
Nico ni..
Sorry for arriving late, hihe .. traffic a.u! Hoping to know you more ..
Hey Nico. Of course. No problemo yun! Haha. Sorry for forgetting your name. I remembered it was something like Nicholas. Haha. Nico lang pala! Haha.
Buti at hindi ka na nalalate ngayon in your class because of Parkour! Haha
Nicholas! haha I think it’s a better name than Nico!
Kulaaaas! Asan ka na!!!
hihe…kahit ano pwede
Naa diay Traceurs sa Cebu… Chuia, ganahan unta ku pa tudlu pero uwaw kay bata pa kay ku
Hi..Parkour Sugbo nahan ta ko patudlo unsa kylangan ana?
Hi jie, jay here, one of the PK Sugbo traceurs. If you’re a minor, we badly need your parent’s/guardian’s approval so that they’ll know what you’re getting into.
But we assure you that we’ll teach you first all the safety precautions you’ll need to know in order for you to train parkour with the least possibility of injuries.
And as for the gear/attire, all you need are comfortable attire and trainer shoes (the ones that can absorb impact and has good grip).
For more info, you can visit us in our facebook group account. Just search for “Parkour Sugbo” Group and feel free to ask any questions regarding parkour.
By the way, where are you staying in Cebu?
hi!
this is very great to see.thanks for sharing this stunning snaps.i fins adventure in this game.
Hi jay, jie here actually 24 na ako living in Lapu lapu City, Cebu. anong schedule nyo sa practice? kc gusto ko talaga matoto ng Parkour as my exercise ok lang ba yon?
Oo naman, ok lang yun! Some of our members joined PK to have a unique way of doing exercise.
If you have a facebook account, just look for the “parkour sugbo” group and add yourself up..there, we discuss things like jam skeds. Currently some of our members are under intensive training @ Abellana Sports Complex, but their jam skeds vary. By last week of October, three of us will be joining them in their training. By then we can teach you the important things a practitioner should know..:D
Hi,
it is really nice post with have good jumping, climbing or more specific parkour moves. It is really good topic.
OK jay tnx…see you soon…;)
we’ll be waiting!
hey…i saw MAGtv a while ago and i saw the parkour feature. i’ve always envied that technique when i saw casino royale (not sure if the balck guy was doing parkour). anyway, i tried searching parkour sugbo in facebook, just as what the above said, pero wala naman silang mahanap na grupo na ganon.
Don’t worry Lilan, Sol and Jay may be able to help you follow those techniques in Casino Royale. Hehe. You can join their group for free. It’s really fun!
You can find the facebook group here. Parkour Sugbo.
Goodluck! Hope you enjoyed MagTV!
Thanks for adding the link Billy!
We really enjoyed the show…all of my family members including some traceur friends of mine watched the show together…but I think it would take time before we can reach the level of Sebastian Foucan(the black guy of Casino Royale, the founder of freerunning).
nice write up mcbilly about parkour and freerunning. although brief it packs a lot of the backgrounder to the disciplines of movements
as well as its fundamental philosophies. it’s what in terms of pk and freerunning terms of being “precise”.
kudos parkour sugbo!
keep the disciplines of movement free-flowing^^
hahaha buti nahanap mo rin to ate polls! Thanx! ^^
Very good and impressive images. These are all really very good players……
Hi tracers i just had a thought: i play handball and we have handball shoes .the shoes are really light and they have a rubbery sole and its sticky.
hey,cheLcey here..i realLy want to join parkour. but oK ra f girL ko.?
yah…we have girl practitioners man sad.
hello i would like to join your group, may i know who’s to contact, pls. send me email about the information… thank u very much…
you can visit us for more info @ our facebook group…just look for “parkour sugbo”. there, we post jams, infos for beginners, principles and anything that relates to parkour.
hi guys, I am interested to your group…
I want to learn parkour coz its exciting and thrill..
May I know who’s the contact person and its contact number? or send me an email on how to join..
thanks.. HAPPY NEW YEAR