Visa Winner Meets Visa Team Athlete Michael Martinez at the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Visa, in partnership with Cebu Pacific, awarded Miss Leonila Parungao a VIP trip package for two to the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Miss Parungao also had the opportunity to meet Filipino figure skater Michael Martinez, one of the 54 athletes on Team Visa. Martinez represented the Philippines in the Olympic Winter Games, with a last-minute spot secured barely three weeks before the competition started.

“My experience at PyeongChang is certainly one for the books. Meeting the Philippines’ pride and joy, Michael Martinez, was just the cherry on top of this unforgettable trip. It’s not every day you get to witness an event as historic as the Olympic Winter Games, and to meet an Olympian. I’d like to thank Visa and Cebu Pacific once again for this opportunity,” said Leonila Parungao.

Miss Parungao, a Filipina immigrant living in Australia, won the trip—the grand prize for the Olympic Winter Games promo campaign organized by Visa and Cebu Pacific—by booking her Cebu Pacific flight from Sydney to Manila using her Visa payment card.

“We are pleased to have provided Miss Parungao this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and support Michael Martinez’s journey to the Olympic Winter Games this year. At Visa, we are always trying to create exciting and memorable experiences for our cardholders and I really think this is a great of example of us achieving this,” said Stuart Tomlinson, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam.

With year-round low fares offered by Cebu Pacific, Miss Parungao is able to fly to Manila to visit relatives at least two to three times a year.

“Our partnership with Visa has enabled more travellers to book their Cebu Pacific flights using the fast and easy payment options of Visa. We look forward to our continued partnership with Visa as we encourage more travellers to fly to different countries, see new places and create new experiences,” said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Distribution of Cebu Pacific.

Cebu Pacific, which flies five times weekly between Manila and Sydney, is the only Low-Cost Carrier plying this route.

Welcome home National Skater – Michael Martinez from the 2018 Pyeongchong Winter Olympics! - Aspiring ice athletes assured of full support towards winter Olympics dream

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Welcome Home to our National Skater – Michael Martinez from the 2018 Pyeongchong Winter Olympics !

Michael Martinez 

Michael Martinez represented the Philippines in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea where he came up short in his bid to advance in the men's single figure skating event. Despite the setback, the winter Olympian is honoured to be given the chance to compete once more in the global ice tournament.

“Competing at that level of the winter Olympics, in the company of world-class figure skating talents, and performing in front of the world, is already a reward. I am honoured to have represented the country in that tournament and hope I have become an inspiration to the next generation of ice athletes,” said Martinez.

SM Lifestyle and Entertainment chief operations officer Herman Emiliano Medina-Cue presented Michael Martinez with a certificate of recognition February 22, 2018 held at the SM Skating, SM Mall of Asia

Martinez was welcomed home by his family, supporters and fans. He was also presented with a certificate of recognition for his efforts in representing the country and heralding ice skating in the Philippines to new heights.

Martinez had a relatively short time to prepare as the Philippines was only advised and allowed to compete as a first alternate after Olympic qualifier Sweden withdrew in January. Prior to his return to the winter Olympics, Martinez won the silver medal in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.

SM Skating

SM Skating, a major patron in the country’s ice sports program, has vowed to continue developing the talents and skills of young, aspiring athletes, to keep alive dreams of qualifying and making a strong finish in future winter Olympics games and other tournaments.

SM Skating executives reiterated their commitment to provide training and offer world-class ice skating facilities to Filipino ice athletes after welcoming home figure skater Michael Christian Martinez at the Olympic-size rink inside the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

“We are grateful for the sacrifices made and dedication shown by Michael Martinez in the just concluded winter Olympics. He has become not only a source of pride but also an inspiration especially for the budding ice athletes who, I believe, will carry our country’s colors in future international competitions,” said Herman Emiliano Medina-Cue, SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. chief operating officer.

Home of the country’s ice athletes

SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. has been supporting the development of Filipino ice athletes, including the Southeast Asian Games gold medal-winning Philippine Ice Hockey team, and various ice sports in the country by implementing the SM ice skating sports program and maintaining Olympic-size ice skating rinks in Metro Manila and Cebu City.

Some of the young athletes who train at SM Skating are figure skaters Jules Alpe, Alisson Perticheto, Samantha Cabiles, and Sofia Guidote.

The ice skating rink at the SM Mall of Asia can host not only recreational and competitive figure skating and speed skating events but also ice hockey games.

Located at the main mall’s third level, the 1,800-square meter rink boasts of complete facilities for hockey games such as a digital scoreboard, players’ boxes, scorekeeper and penalty boxes as well as two locker rooms with hot and cold shower.

Visitors can conveniently watch practices, training, exhibitions, shows, games and tournaments at the 200-seater stands located around the rink. Those wanting to take a quick bite can head to the snack booth for hotdogs, burgers, nachos, popcorn, coffee cakes, pastries and ice-cold beverages.

The ice skating rink also has a spacious lobby and multi-purpose rooms for sports training, meetings, and social functions while a clinic provides immediate first-aid assistance for any minor sports-related injuries.

About SM Skating

Starting as a leisure rink built by the inspired Henry Sy Sr. whose interest was piqued by the grace and class of figure skating, the SM Skating Rink possesses the only Olympic sized ice skating rinks in the entire country. Aside from being a venue for events and leisurely skating, the SM Skating Rink also provides lessons for Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, and other sports on ice. Proving right of Henry Sy Sr.’s vision of a tropical country excelling in a winter-based sport, the SM Skating Rink has been home to world class figure skaters, such as Michael Martinez, who internationally compete in prestigious championships such as the Winter Olympics in Sochi. This year, the SM Skating Rink will introduce more sports and activities to learn on the ice, and events that will cater to the existing and new winter-based sports. 

For the skating lessons, please visit: http://smskatingrink.com/rates-and-packages/

GSK launches the Search for Winners Against Asthma 2015

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Asthma is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes with increased production of sticky secretions inside the tubes. People with asthma experience symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus. Common asthma symptoms include coughing, especially at night; Wheezing; Shortness of breath; Chest tightness, pain, or pressure.

People should know the early symptoms of Asthma. Early warning signs are changes that happen just before or at the very beginning of an asthma attack. These signs may start before the well-known symptoms of asthma and are the earliest signs that your asthma is worsening.

These signs are not severe enough to stop you from going about your daily activities. But by recognizing these signs, you can stop an asthma attack or prevent one from getting worse 

 Do you know what Kim Chiu, Arnel Pineda and Michael Christian Martinez have in common? They all have Asthma yet have accomplished so much in their respective fields.

Do you know of a friend, loved one or relative who are winning against asthma as well? Do you want them recognized as winners against asthma just like Kim, Arnel and Christian?

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies  launches the Search for Winners Against Asthma 2015 last February 5. 

GSK launches the Search for Winners Against Asthma 2015 last February 5 held at the Makati Shangrila Hotel, Makati City.

The campaign aims to choose and recognize 10 young asthmatic achievers from different walks of life. 

The advocacy likewise introduces Olympic figure skater Michael Christian Martinez as the new face of the campaign. Martinez, an asthmatic, began experiencing asthmatic bronchitis when he was just two months old. 

He recalls being in the hospital frequently and says the cold rink actually helped improve his health. “Year after year my health keeps improving, so my mother fully supported me to continue skating saying it's better to spend the money on skating than in the hospital.” 

The program is a nationwide search for young asthmatic achievers aged 30 years and younger who are outstanding in their respective fields despite having asthma and inspire asthma sufferers that they, too, can win against asthma. 

The Search for Winners Against Asthma will run from February until May 2015 and will be touring different schools and drugstore outlets to spread the advocacy and invite more people to join the campaign.

The deadline for submission of entries is on March 31, 2015. All entries will be screened during the first week of April. As we celebrate World Asthma Day on May 5, the top 20 finalists will be announced and will be immediately followed by online voting. The top 10 Winners Against Asthma will be announced and awarded by the 3rd week of May 2015. 

This advocacy campaign is supported by the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP), Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (PSAAI), Huawei and Folded & Hung.

For more information please visit http://www.facebook.com/winagainstasthma

Last February 2014, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) launched Win Against Asthma Today -- an integrated advocacy campaign aimed at increasing awareness and amplify existing efforts to spread information about asthma and how it can be managed. 

The campaign also encourages patients to consult their doctors and discuss the best way to manage their asthma. 

A lot of asthma patients do not realise that they are settling by accepting as normal the lifestyle restrictions resulting from uncontrolled asthma. Patients unnecessarily accept symptoms, assuming that frequent symptoms, exacerbations and lifestyle limitations are an inevitable consequence of having asthma. They may feel that although current treatments can alleviate their asthma symptoms, they just need to accept and bear that it normally happens. This is where the partnership and constant consult with their doctors become very important. 

To prove that the disease should not be a deterrent from living one’s life to the fullest, real asthma patients were invited to provide testimonies of their experiences and how won against the illness. Celebrity asthmatics, Kim Chiu and Arnel Pineda became the featured ambassadors for the first wave of the campaign. 

As more asthma patients become aware that they can win against asthma just like Kim and Arnel, the campaign aims to strengthen its pool of ambassadors to continuously inspire more patients to take control of their asthma. 

About GSK 

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com.

For further information on asthma, please consult your doctor. A health service message brought to you by GSK.

Figure Skater Olympian Michael Martinez signs contract with SM Group

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Michael Martinez, the 17-year-old Pinoy pride signed contract with the SM Group for a continuous monetary support in his bid to qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. 

(Photo L-R) Mrs. Teresa Martinez; Michael Martinez; Ms. Nicole Deato, AVP – Education and Leisure Centers, SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc; Ms. Linda Atayde, SAVP – Education Programs, SM Foundation, Inc.

The contract is worth P9 million a year for the next four years to finance the Filipino skater’s training. 

SM signed Martinez to a four-year contract extension, the first was inked last year. It was supposed to run for 1 1/2 years and Martinez’ fee was P1 Million for an all-exclusive endorsement. In the extension, SM agreed to cover Martinez’ training and competition expenses of P9 Million a year and allowed him to endorse products not in competition with any SM brand.

Figure Skater Olympian Martinez, left the country last Friday to continue his training overseas. He said he will try to make the Filipinos proud as he joins the Hilton Honors Skate America in Chicago, Illinois from October 22 to 26.

Ranked 27th in the world, the first Filipino figure skater to make it to the Winter Olympics admitted being elated after being one of the chosen few to participate in the event.

During his contract signing with the SM Group at the Mall of Asia Arena last Thursday, young Olympian skater admitted it was difficult for his family to finance his training, that’s why he’s thankful to the SM Group for taking care of his financial woes and allowing him to just focus on competing.

Martinez , who had discovered his love for skating at the early age, honed his skills at the SM Skating Rink. He had joined international competitions such as those developed by the International Skating Institute and the International Skating Union, but his efforts have recently been noticed by the pubic as the only Filipino representative at the Winter Olympics 2014. 

To futher develop his talent, SM Prime Holdings, SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc., and the SM Foundation teamed up to provide Martinez monetary support for the training and needs for skating.

The 17-year old Olympian, Martinez isn’t giving up on someday going back to school. After the Pyeongchang Games, Martinez said he’ll pursue a degree in sports medicine. But he said he wants to take up photography as an alternative field of interest when not training or competing on ice.

His dream is to win a medal for the country at the next Winter Olympics and he’s got a four-year timetable to make it come true. 

The SM Group is proud to support athletes such as Michael Martinez, who has proven that a tropical country can succeed in a winter sports.

Be the next Michael Christian Martinez!

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Filipino Figure Skater Olympian Michael  Christian Martinez,  the first ever South East Asian figure skater to enter the 2013 World Junior Championship and giving an impressive performance at the recently held Soichi Winter Olympics. 

There’s no stopping Michael Christian Martinez in reaping honors for the Philippines as he recently bagged the much coveted gold medal from the Triglav Trophy International Figure Skating Competition in Jesenice, Slovenia.

Inspired by skaters spinning and jumping at the SM Skating Rink in SM Southmall, Martinez took up figure skating when he was eight and began training in 2010 in the United States. Since then, he has been transformed into a world-class athlete and has garnered over 190 medals and trophies from various international and local competitions. 

Martinez’s success is not an overnight thing but the simple decision of his mother and himself to get into the sports changed his life. His achievement is indeed phenomenal but the good news is if you’re open-minded and committed to learn the skill, you too can be like him! 

SM Skating Rink operated by SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. makes this possible as it provides the facilities and programs for the young people who want to develop and hone their skating talents, and who aspire to be the next Philippine Olympian like Michael Christian Martinez. SM Skating Rink offers various skating lessons in its premier branches in SM Mall of Asia, SM Southmall and SM Megamall.

For only P300 on weekdays and P390 during weekends and holidays, you can learn different skating moves by availing open or unlimited skating service offered in both SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall. You can learn and have fun in the SM Skating Rink with your friends by enrolling to one of the Freestyle skating courses available in the three SM branches that come in both four and six sessions

You can also skate your way to being a professional skater by enrolling to Speed Skating, the newest course offering in SM Mall of Asia. Top local coaches who were also trained by international skating coaches like Kelvin Nicolle, an international referee from New Zealand who teaches short track speed skating in Singapore, will provide the lesson and training to the enrolees. 

SM Skating Rink which once served as a training ground for Michael Christian Martinez still provides a house for discovering new young talents. 

Be part of this and fulfill your dreams in the country’s world-class and only skating rink.

For more information, visit www.smiceskating.com or call 556-0471.

Filipino Figure Skater Olympian Michael Martinez Bags Gold in Slovenia Tourney

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Homegrown Figure Skater Olympian Michael Christian Martinez bagged the gold in the recently held Triglav Trophy International Figure Skating Competition in Jesenice, Slovenia. Martinez finished the free skate finals in the Senior Men’s category with a score of 195.13 points, besting Japan, United Kingdom, Korea, Austria and Norway.

Michael Christian Martinez (center) (Photo from Martinez’s Facebook Page)

“I Thank God for this blessing- another gold medal in senior event. It was actually difficult for all of us because the 30 minutes practice sessions were scheduled a day before, and no more practices during the competition days. I'm very happy i made it to first place,” Martinez said and shared on his Facebook page. 

The 18-year old Martinez  now has three gold medals in the senior level, with the Triglav Trophy, the recent Skate Helena in Serbia and the Crystal Skate in Romania last 2012.

Filipino American Samantha Cabiles finished 6th in the Junior Ladies’ category out of 21 skaters with a score of 100.04 points. 

The Philippine Skating Union (PhSU), which is a member of the International Skating Union  (ISU) named Martinez and Cabiles as the country’s representatives to the Triglav Trophy. 

Every year since 1992, the Triglav Trophy gathers over 100 of the best young figure skaters from all over the world. The competition is hosted in Jesenice ice hall Podmežakla and has its roots in 1992. 

Martinez took up figure skating when he was eight, inspired by skaters spinning and jumping while shopping with his mother at SM Southmall. He began training in 2010 in the United States and since then his lifelong dream has been to win an Olympic medal. Martinez has garnered over 190 medals and trophies from various international and local competitions. 

Cabiles, who was born in Hawaii and is now based in Michigan started skating since she was 11. Of Filipino decent, Cabiles also competes in the Philippine Nationals and recently ranked second in the 2013 Philippine National Figure Skating Championships held at SM Mall of Asia every year.

“The Skating Gazelle”

Cabiles also placed 10th in the Junior category of the recent Dragon Trophy competition in Ljubjana, Slovenia in February 2014. She trains in Toronto, Canada. Due to her high and powerful jumps, she earned the moniker, “The Skating Gazelle”. 

SM has been the primary supporter of the PhSU since the latter was established in 2005. SM also provides a venue for the events of PhSU for the promotion of ice skating in the Philippines. PhSU received accreditation from the ISU in 2006, coinciding with the opening of the SM Mall of Asia skating rink that year. In turn, PhSU, as the sole governing body for Figure and Speed Skating provides SM and its ice skating rinks with marketing tools such as local and international skating events and its network of skating athletes. 

Through the years, SM and the PhSU have conducted several figure skating competitions that have given birth to international champions such as Martinez. 

The PhSU is the governing body in the country for figure skating and speed skating. It is a member of the ISU which is the exclusive international sports federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The ISU administers speed and figure skating throughout the world. It is composed of a number of national organizations called ISU members who administer ISU sports at the national level.

Michael Martinez performance at SM Megamall SM Skating Rink

The excellence demonstrated by skaters especially during competitions is a mark of quality that the SM Skating Rink can provide with its world-class venue and facilities. Property conglomerate SM Prime Holdings, Inc. operates skating rinks through SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. at the SM Mega Fashion Hall in Mandaluyong, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, and SM Southmall in Las Pinas.

Warmest Homecoming Welcome to Winter Olympian Figure Skater Michael Martinez

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Filipino ice skater, winter Olympian and homegrown skating rink talent Michael Martinez comes home from a much-lauded performance at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia as he went straight to SM Mall of Asia this Sunday February 23, for his homecoming welcome and press conference set up by the SM group.

During the warm welcoming for Martinez, an awarding ceremony inside the mall, the SM group prepared  “surprise” gifts for the Olympian.

Figure skater Michael shared his feelings his inspiring journey and dedicates his breakthrough stint in the 2014 Winter Olympics to fellow Filipino athletes who also deserve support for representing the Philippines in the international sporting scene.

Martinez thanked his family, sponsors and the public for supporting his journey in Sochi, Russia, where he captured the world's attention as the first Southeast Asian to compete in the men's singles event.

SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy pledged to support Martinez in his goal to qualify and hopefully earn the country's first medal in the Winter Olympics in the 2018 edition in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

During the press conference, Martinez was given a "Lifetime Skating Privilege" and $10,000 by the SM group. Businessman Manuel Pangilinan earlier gave the same amount to the skater's mother.

“We are very proud of Michael. Not only did he give honor to our country, but he is also a shining example for the youth as someone who saw no limits to what he can achieve. He has already inspired millions by following his dreams and by competing in the Winter Olympics. He will continue to inspire us all as he works towards earning medals in the future Olympic competitions,” SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy said.

During his formative years as a figure skater, Martinez frequented SM Southmall in Las Piñas and much later on, SM Mall of Asia for figure skating competitions despite frequent bouts of asthma.

Since skating at nine years old, Martinez has garnered 194 medals and trophies from various international and local competitions. He is currently ranked 19th in the world based on his recent performance at the Winter Olympics.

Martinez clinched 7th place at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany that qualified him for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Through the years, SM and the Philippine Skating Union have conducted several figure skating competitions that bred international champions such as Martinez.

SM operates ice skating rinks through SM Lifestyle and Entertainment, Inc. at the SM Megamall Building D in Mandaluyong, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, and SM Southmall in Las Pinas.

Michael Christian Martinez is a worth emulating, an inspiration not just for our young people but for every Filipino.

Congratulations Michael and we are proud of you ! 

Filipino skater Michael Martinez after historic Winter Olympics stint

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The lone Filipino Winter Olympian Martinez, 17, ranked 19th at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics men's figure skating finals on Saturday morning (Manila time). He garnered 119.44 points in his final free skate routine for a two-day total of 184.25. Martinez skated third and held an early lead after six performances.

Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan won the gold medal with a score of 280.09, while Patrick Chan of Canada won silver. Kazakhstan’s Denis Ten, who finished ninth after the short program, moved up to third place to earn bronze honors.

Filipino skater performed to the tune of "Malagueña" of Ernesto Lecuona which lasted for about 4 minutes and 30 seconds and drawing applause from the crowd!

Congratulations Michael Martinez! We are proud of you! 

           

Michael Christian Martinez performs in the Men's Figure Skating Free Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 14, 2014.

(Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP)

Pinoy Figure Skater Michael Martinez at the Winter Olympic, Sochi 2014

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Michael Christian Martinez of the Philippines skates at the Iceberg Skating Palace for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.  (Photo: Grigory Dukor, Reuters)

Michael Christian Martinez, the lone Filipino athlete competing in the XXII Winter Olympics Games this year in Sochi, a city in Krasnodar Krai in Russia.

Martinez will perform at the Iceberg Skating Palace on Thursday for a chance to get into the top 24 that will join the final Free Skate program on Friday. Martinez will perform a cut from the 1968 film soundtrack of Romeo and Juliet composed and conducted by Nino Rota. The track contains nine entries including the song “What Is a Youth”.

As the first figure skater to represent the Philippines at the Olympic Winter Games, Michael Christian Martinez considers his qualifying for this year’s Games as the most memorable sporting achievement of his life so far. He was mighty proud as the flag bearer for the Philippines at the recent opening ceremony of the games in Sochi.

Philippines' first representative in the Winter Youth Olympics, as Martinez vies in the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy, a qualifying event for the 2014 Olympiad in Sochi, Russia. 

Michael Martinez, considered as the youngest and most accomplished senior level skater from the Philippines, having collection a total of 194 medals and trophies since 2005. At 17 years old, Michael is up against 29 other top figure skaters in the Sochi games. Despite his youth and frequent asthma attacks, Michael managed to rank 28th among the best senior-level figure skaters in the planet!

"Now that I deserve to represent the Philippines in the 2014 Olympic Games, this meant that I would have to train more and harder. It also entails a lot of sacrifice and hard work on my part, and more expenses for more lessons, not to mention the sacrifice by my family in terms of time and finances," Martinez said.

“Ice skating is really expensive so this will be a big help to pay for coaches, ice time,” said Martinez. He shared to us that he regularly spends about $100 per hour for the services of his coach alone.

The absence of government support compelled Michael to seek sponsors elsewhere. One of his biggest supporters is SM, which donated Php 1 million for his training and other expenses related to his Olympic participation. He was actually “discovered” in SM Southmall in Las Piñas when he was still in his formative years as a figure skater.

Related story : SM Ice Skating Supports Top Figure Skater Michael Martinez

Martinez dreams of winning an Olympic medal. He said his motto is to “Dream high and work hard.” He has everything to lose and everything to gain by launching himself in the world’s figure skating rink with only his raw talent, determination and the support of a growing fan base.

Martinez’ determination to win Skating on Thursday for his mother, God, family and country.

Good luck Michael!

SM Ice Skating Supports Top Filipino Figure Skater Michael Martinez

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Figure skating is an expensive sport. This is particularly due to the costs of ice time and coaching. Figure skating is a sport and activity in which individuals, duos, or groups perform on figure skates on ice. The four Olympic disciplines are men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. Ice skating consisting of one or more planned sequences of required and optional spins, jumps, and dancelike maneuvers, originally consisting of a program in which the skater traced prescribed, usually elaborate figures.

Michael Martinez, Philippines' first representative in the Winter Youth Olympics, as he vies in the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy, a qualifying event for the 2014 Olympiad in Sochi, Russia. 

Michael Martinez, considered as the youngest and most accomplished senior level skater from the Philippines, having collection a total of 194 medals and trophies since 2005.

Martinez, who enjoys a rank of 19th in the International Skating Union (ISU) Season’s Best World Rankings, primes up for rigorous training abroad in his determined effort to nail one of six berths to Sochi to be disputed in the Sept. 25-28 Nelbelhorn tourney in Oberstdorf, Germany.

He began skating in 2005 at a shopping mall ice rink. He trains mainly in Manila, and also spends several months a year in California with coaches Ilia Kulik, John Nicks and Peter Kongkasem.

Martinez debuted on the Junior Grand Prix series in the 2010–2011 season. He won his first senior international title, also a first for the Philippines

"Now that I deserve to represent the Philippines in the 2014 Olympic Games, this meant that I would have to train more and harder. It also entails a lot of sacrifice and hard work on my part, and more expenses for more lessons, not to mention the sacrifice by my family in terms of time and finances," Martinez said.

“Ice skating is really expensive so this will be a big help to pay for coaches, ice time,” said Martinez. He shared to us that he regularly spends about $100 per hour for the services of his coach alone.

This 16-year-old recent high school graduate is looking forward to become the first Filipino Winter Olympian.

“I’ll try my best to make it to the Olympics,” he added.

Seeing the potential of Martinez, a home-grown talent, SM Ice Skating took the lead in supporting his endeavors and will upkeep his tournaments as the young achiever continues to give glory to the country.

SM Ice Skating gave Martinez a checque to help fund Martinez' training in the US to ensure that the young Martinez will eventually bag our country a gold medal during the Olympics.

Me and my children had admire him when we watched him skates on ice at the SM Mall of Asia Skating rinks.

Good luck Michael! 

Watch this video of Michael Christian Martinez , 2012 World Junior Figure Skating Championship.