Gumbay Abas Jr., also known as “Jayr” was born in Bago Bantay kalookan by Ms. Leonida Abas. Second among three brothers, have a dream. To be famous in the field of snowboarding and be able to find his younger brother Sultan Kudarat Abas whom he haven’t seen for 20 years.

Though he was unable to finish his studies in college in the Philippines, his mother invited him to Milan in 2002 for them to be together after 20 years of separation. This started a big change in jayr’s life.

Jayr was able to adjust in Milan in a short matter of time. Language, climate and food are some things he enjoyed in his new home. Florian Palazzolo, jayr’s step dad, loves extreme sports that introduced jayr to this sport.

Having to see snow for the first time, jayr fell in love with it. He was able to ski in just a matter of two days. When one day, he saw a snowboarder going down the slope. Not wasting any time, jayr went to the sports shop and bought his first snowboard. By merely observing the other snowboarders and trying to learn tricks on his own, jayr have trained himself in this sport. Every week, he will go up the mountain and practice.

Unable to hire a personal trainer, Jayr pursued this career on his own and entered in his first competition last 2006.  Having to give up his work and wake up around 4:30am every morning is a big sacrifice for his part. But all his work paid off.

Having to join the Salice Big Air where he got 3^rd place; 8^th place in the Fiat Slide Rail Contest; 5^th in la Notte del Dragone Big Air, Static Slope-style; 5^th place in Mystic Free Ride Alana Big Air, and During the FSI Big Air (Federazione Snowboard Italiana) – among all European and Italian competitors, Jayr is the only Filipino, or much less, the only asian who joined this competition and he got 4^th place. This is truly a great achievement.

His next stop --- to participate in the 2010 Olympics in Canada.

Pursuing snowboarding is not a joke. Basic requirements to start snowboarding are: snowboard, bindings, booths, socks, pants, jacket, gloves, goggles to protect the eyes, helmet, elbow and knee pad, back pad (for the spinal cord), excluding the training and fees for the practices.

Jayr is asking for your support to help him get on his track for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada. He needs to start practicing this year and better yet hire a coach to help him develop his skills further. He will be carrying the Philippine flag for this competition. For more info, click here.

“Thank you so much to kabayan times international, Italian media, TRISAIR, Italian Filipino association, Burton, my mom, florian, my relatives, my borther and his wife, and all relatives in san juan, malvar, batangas, and to my friends and to all my supporters. Sana ay matupad ang Olympic dream natin.” Cited Jayr, and to all aspiring athletes “I believe that the Filipinos are good in any sport. They just have to have the passion for it. Just follow your dream. Sacrifice, self control and patience is the key to success”