Mushroom Skatepark is a Real-Life Tony Hawk Level with Damn Good Coffee

Whether you’re a seasoned shredder or a total skateboarding novice who takes their daily iced Americano seriously, boy do we have a skateboarding getaway for you.

Mushroom Skatepark and Kabute (which means "mushroom" in Filipino) is a no-pressure, introvert-friendly skateboarding and caffeine-infused space in breezy Alfonso, Cavite.

Esquire Philippines got to chat with the family behind this pipe paradise and even skated around the bowls a bit to tap into our inner Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater spirit.

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The entire skatepark area was originally the Castillo family’s farmhouse in Cavite, a sanctuary where they would vacation to escape their busy lives in California.

Like everyone else, the Castillos remember exactly where they were when the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the world. For restless skateboarders and creatives, the lockdown was particularly devastating.

GB Castillo faced a specific dilemma because movement restrictions barred him from skating in public. Faced with a boatload of free time, he did what any passionate skater would do. He built a personal half-pipe on his father's farm in Alfonso, Cavite. At the time, it was purely for his own enjoyment, without any grand vision of building a community from the ground up.

"When we had a personal half-pipe here, which I posted pictures and videos of on social media, a lot of people messaged me asking, 'Where is it? Can I go there?'" GB recalled.

It was in that moment that he realized he had something special. What began as a private backyard ramp had quickly evolved into a public necessity.

The skate bowls and half-pipes at Mushroom Skatepark in Alfonso, Cavite

It took about a year to build the thing, which turned out to be much more complicated to complete since the farmhouse floor was slanted, which required some creativity navigate around. Hence, the skatepark was designed in levels and became rather costly to fund.

Think of multi-level transitions and skatebowls that doesn't fight the area's topography, but rather uses it to its advantage. The Castillo's spent half their lives split between Los Angeles and the Philippines, which is why they have California skate culture injected into their DNA.

"The places we've been to, we can actually put that in and mix it in with the idea of the skate park," Anna, co-owner and GB's sister, told Esquire Philippines, commenting on what went into building the park/cafe hybrid.

"Skaters are kind of addicted to skating. So, they're like, well, let's find another place to skate. The one with a covered area. Yeah. So, that's where the idea started."

From Emo Night gigs, rollerblading tourneys, and even fingerboarding meetups: Mushroom Skatepark is the place to be

Mushroom and Kabute were born from the inspiration found in the skate parks and cycling shops the founders frequented, such as Rapha in Orange County and the massive Vans skate shop. Setting up Mushroom was a feat of perfect timing and execution; it arrived just as skateboarding saw a piping-hot resurgence in the Philippines, fueled by Margielyn Didal’s popularity and the sport’s inclusion in the Olympics.

"I was thinking that we needed to venture out and attract more than just skaters. I want it to be a hangout—you don’t have to be a skater to be invited to the place," Anna said, recalling the plan to evolve Mushroom into a broader community hub. "Maybe we should put up a cafe. Kind of separate it. That’s why we changed the name, so it’s not just for skaters."

She added that it was crucial to appeal to those who want to learn the art of skating but might be intimidated by crowds—a welcoming space for the introverts of the community.

Safety is also a top priority. Chris, Anna’s husband and a registered nurse, serves as Mushroom’s resident first-aid responder. He notes that they’ve only seen a handful of serious accidents, largely because they take a careful approach to the steep learning curve of bowl skating.

"There is a big difference between street skaters and transition skaters," Chris explained. "Some want to try transitions even if they’ve been skating for a long time, but the style is totally different when it comes to the bowl. So, we have a tag-team approach and offer coaching to help with that transition."

According to GB, Mushroom serves as a vital training ground because bowl and ramp facilities are still rare in the Philippines. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, the team ensures you don't have to worry about coaching or safety gear—they've got you covered. GB also noted a heartening trend: a growing wave of younger skaters whose parents are the ones getting them into the hobby.

Mushroom Park is also home to murals from a host of local artists

Some of the skating merchandise and Vans footwear you being sold at Mushroom Skatepark

Local fingerboarders at Mushroom Skatepark

The joint is about much more than just skateboarding. Counterculture is deeply ingrained in the team at Mushroom, which GB envisioned as a one-stop shop for skating, music, and coffee. They’ve even hosted Halloween gigs featuring hardcore punk bands playing out of their minds, while crowds vibe to the music and skate simultaneously.

Interestingly enough, the shop sits right next door to a Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall, a neighbor that requires relative silence during worship hours. Rather than clashing, the skaters have found a rhythm of respect. "If they have worship, we have a designated quiet time. We respect that," Chris said. "They’re there on Friday and Sunday mornings. Usually, it’s Sunday—so it’s better for us on Saturdays."

GB, who also plays guitar for the Tagaytay-based five-piece rock band Aiyana, ensures the volume stays controlled at night. Gigs typically wrap up by 10 PM to preserve the peace of their rural neighborhood, even when they’re busy banging their heads to hardcore sets.

As for a dream customer? Tony Hawk is the obvious pick, but a recent Instagram interaction between GB and Filipino-American legend Willy Santos may have set the stage for a wild visit.

Ultimately, it’s about the community. "I hope they feel at home—that they can reach out like they’re reaching out to family," Anna said, reflecting on the environment they’ve fostered at Mushroom Skatepark. "When we have walk-ins, we talk to them. We ask where they’re from and how they liked the place. We want them to feel welcome and, most importantly, encouraged to skate more."

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