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/

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.

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!