"Lowell ended up building some skate parks, and one happened to be near the Boys' Club where I went. A few of my good friends started skating, so I tried it. The moment I stepped on a board I was hooked, and I haven't stopped."[3]
Santiago also revealed in a 2014 interview with Eckō Unltd. that growing up in an underprivileged environment made him who he is today.[4]
Amateur career
Santiago participated in several national and international amateur contests. During the 2006 Damn Am Contest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Santiago earned a golden ticket by placing 1st in qualifiers and finished in 1st place with tricks including kickflip backside 50-50, bigspin backside boardslide, and varial heelflip backside boardslide.[5][6] Santiago competed in the 2009 Zoo York's AM Getting Paid Contest in Montreal, Quebec, Canada where he placed 2nd with tricks including kickflip backside crooked grind, laser heel, 360 shuvit lipslide.[7]
Crossroads
Early in his career Santiago won 1st place for "Best Trick" in the Black Box Crossroads Best Trick Contest alongside professional skateboarders like Nyjah Huston, Chris Cole, Torey Pudwill, Ryan Sheckler, et al.[8][9][10] Shortly after, Santiago became a professional skateboarder.[11]
Professional career
In 2010, Santiago left Think Skateboards and had his professional board graphic made by AMMO skateboards, a skateboard company owned by professional skateboarder and skateboarding personality, Felix Arguelles.
Dew Tour
In 2011, Santiago won Alli Sport's Ball Park Rookie of The Year at Dew Tour.
When is being called a "rookie" a good thing? When you're called Ball Park's Rookie of the Year. The highest tour rookie in both skateboarding and BMX[12]
Street League (SLS)
In 2013, Santiago finished in 1st place during Street League Skateboarding (SLS) Contests located in Brazil and Barcelona. Both wins made him the first ever Street League Skateboarding (SLS) "Select Series Champion" and first ever "Select Series Winner" to advance to the finals and the podium.[13]
Qualifying for SLS in 2013, [Manny Santiago] has showed us he can keep up with the best of them in 2014. Manny's loving and positive energy makes him one seriously entertaining skater to watch.[1]
Manny Slays All
Santiago has branded a series of hats, shirts, stickers and accessories with the first of letter in each word of his "Manny Slays All" brand, making "MSA" a prominent signature logo. The Manny Slays All line has branched out into collaborations with other companies such as Rastaclat, Grizzly Griptape, Famous Stars and Straps, and Eckō Unltd. Santiago later added a machete alongside the letters: MSA as his logo.[14] This current logo is watermarked on all of his photographs and videos posted on social media. Santiago's fan base continues to rapidly spike with daily updates on his skateboarding lifestyle. "Beyond dropping sick videos and skating [competitions], Manny runs one of the best skate/ lifestyle blogs on the internet."[15]
Sponsors
As of April 2, 2019, Santiago is sponsored by Fortune Skateboards, Eckō Unltd.,, Grizzly Griptape, Diamond Supply Co., Krux Trucks, Andale Bearings, Funbox Monthly, ,SK8HOP and Black Plague Brewing.[16]
Philanthropy
Prince of Puerto Rico
In 2011, Santiago organized his first Prince of Puerto Rico skateboarding contest.
"With his Rookie of the Year winnings from the 2011 Dew Tour, Manny gives back to his friends and teammates in order to best appreciate how skating has affected his life. What started out as a small trip grew into a full tour equipped with multiple teams, demos and a contest for the kids."[4]
Santiago and childhood friend and professional skateboarder, Dave Bachinsky spent thirteen-hour days in Puerto Rico repairing a local skate park in preparation for the contest. Santiago has held the contest every year thereafter with additions including a child's division, "Coqui" and women's division, "Princess of Puerto Rico". Santiago continues to be a highly respected skateboarder and philanthropic figure in Puerto Rico.
SK8HOP
In 2012, Santiago began a skateboarding distribution with Fico Rodriguez called SK8HOP in Puerto Rico. In 2014, Santiago opened his first skateboard shop, SK8HOP with Fico Rodriguez in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
Videography
9-10-11
On Santiago's 26th birthday he published a street skateboarding video part titled, 9-10-11. Santiago had been working on the video for four months. With constant published teasers, Santiago managed to build up much anticipation from his fan base. Soon after the release of 9-10-11, it became an Internet sensation within the skateboarding community.[17]
Salt N' Pepper
Santiago and childhood friend and professional skateboarder, Dave Bachinksky teamed up in a video part that features street skateboarding on the West Coast of the United States as well as the island Puerto Rico. The video premiered at The Berrics.
"Complete with Puerto Rican dream sequences, J-Kwon annihilation, and super rad homie vibes, this is 9 minutes of two best friends tag-teaming spots and going absolutely hammer-time in the streets. Welcome to Salt n' Pepper—an epic journey that Manny describes as, "A skate video meets Space Jam meets R. Kelly."[18]
Live & Learn Series
In 2013, Santiago began filming an internet-based series about his life through skateboarding entitled LIVE&LEARN. The series gives insight to Santiago's everyday life. The first episode "Stoner Park" follows Santiago as he gathers a group of close friends and professional skateboarders as they head to "Stoner Park" for a day of skating. The episode features the likes of Dave Bachinsky, Terell Robinson, Paul Rodriguez, and Shane O'neill to name a few. After the skate park, the group eventually heads to Santiago's home to administer some tattoos. In the second episode, entitled "San Francisco Mission", Santiago and friends head to San Francisco, CA to film street skateboarding for his upcoming video project 'Salt n' Pepper'. The third episode of LIVE&LEARN follows Santiago to meet up with professional skateboarder and celebrity, Ryan Sheckler in San Clemente, CA to skate his private warehouse.
In the fourth episode of LIVE&LEARN, "Prince of Puerto Rico", the camera follows Santiago to his country of origin, Puerto Rico. Santiago rides through the city streets and eventually leads his group to a demo for the local kids. "A Day for the Sponsors" is the fifth installment of the series and consists of Santiago visiting some of his sponsors, as well as a trip to his doctor to examine his injured knee. The sixth episode, "Bon Voyage Bastien", features Santiago bidding a farewell to friend and professional skateboarder Bastian Salabanzi as he heads home to France. In LIVE&LEARN episode seven, "Street League Pro Open", Santiago prepares to compete in the Street League Skateboarding competition at the Nike skate park 6th and Mill in Los Angeles.[19]
On 11/20/2014, Thrasher Magazine presented to the world - Manny's "Pound for Pound" skate part in conjunction with Eckō Unltd. The premier was held in Hollywood, CA by his sponsor Rockstar Energy.
Missing Tooth
In 2009, Santiago chipped his tooth in a skateboarding accident while practicing for the Costa Mesa Damn AM Contest. Santiago eventually needed the entire tooth extracted for health reasons. Due to complications, Santiago ultimately decided to not replace the tooth. The remainder of Santiago's tooth is dipped in white gold with a diamond and worn by him daily as a necklace charm.
Shortly after the tooth was extracted, Santiago stated in an interview:
I face planted at the Costa Mesa Damn AM last year in November. Since it wasn't too bad I just let it rock, ya I know but recently it just blew up! I had to wait through the weekend till Monday to get it fixed… Let's just say: worst pain of my life!
Post Santiago's tooth extraction, he has continued to smile and represent a positive attitude. Santiago's missing tooth and smile quickly became an easily recognizable trademark for Manny Slays All aka MSA. Santiago's fan base directly references Manny Slays All aka MSA when chipping or losing teeth in skateboard accidents. Santiago's missing toothed smile has thus become a trend and vital part of his branding image
Personal life
Santiago is a strict vegetarian and actively promotes healthy dieting alongside routine fitness. In an interview with Focus Magazine Santiago stated, "My diet is a simple one: no muscle tissue in my stomach. I try and cut bread and cheese out as well." Santiago lives in Los Angeles, California with professional skateboarderChaz Ortiz. Santiago has a son, Ocean Santiago born in 2012. Santiago is in a relationship with pro skater Christiana Means.
FISE World "Battle Of The Champions", Saudi Arabia - 1st
Puerto Rico "Skateboarding Olympic Team" Qualifier - 1st
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