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!

The Biggest Director’s Club Cinema Branch At SM City BF Parañaque

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People from the South can now have the convenience of watching the most awaited blockbuster hits with the opening of the biggest Director’s Club Cinema branch in the country with four new and modern Director’s Club Cinemas in SM City BF Parañaqaque. The Director’s Club Cinema is the premier cinema line of SM Cinema that caters to people who prefers intimate and personalized movie experience that’d make them feel like they never left home.

The Director’s Club Cinema boasts of extensive luxurious features. It is equipped with top notch projection equipment, latest technology in surround sound, first rate acoustics and crystal clear digital screen that promises beyond amazing movie watching experience. Unlike the regular cinema, Director’s Club has 30-50 comfortable reclining chairs and personalized butlers who will offer the Director’s Club Cinema movie goers special eats. With each ticket purchase at the Director’s Club Cinema, a bowl of complimentary SnackTime Popcorn are freshly made and delivered to each guest’s seat.

One of the biggest problems that we all go through when watching blockbuster films are the long queue of lines on the ticket booths. However, Director’s Club Cinema movie goers will have the advantage of avoiding the long lines as Director’s Club Cinema provides access to seat reservations to guarantee slots to big ticket films. Those who enjoy watching movies and throwing a fun movie night out with friends or family can book the Director’s Club Cinemas for private screenings, parties or corporate events to experience the best movie experience.

Apart from the branches in SM City BF Paranaque, Director’s Club Cinema is located in two other SM Supermalls branches: One at the Mall of Asia in Pasay and two at SM Aura Premier at The Fort. Director’s Club Cinema is expected to open soon in more SM Supermalls branches.

Visit the Director’s Club Cinema Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/directorsclubcinema

or Follow its Twitter at@directorsclub_ 

and Instagram at @directorsclubcinema.

You may also visit www.smcinemas.com or call the SM Cinema Hotline at 470-2222 

for more details on Director’s Club Cinema.

About SM Cinema

SM Cinema is the country’s leading exhibitor—boasting 252 cinemas and 7 IMAX Theatres in 47 branches nationwide. SM Cinema continues to expand and lead the country’s development in cinema technology.

For a more convenient way of watching a movie, experience the newest from SM Cinema—the CINEMOBILE: Your mobile, your movie ticket. With its turnstile system, SM Cinema delivers a more convenient movie-going experience to its patrons.

You may also avail SM Cinema’s e-PLUS (Entertainment, Privileges, Lifestyle, Upgrades and Surprises) card to make your movie-watching more convenient, rewarding and fun. On top of the reward point scheme, e-PLUS is loaded with VIP privileges, special promos like a 50 percent discount on select movies, seasonal offers, quarterly raffles and invites to exclusive events. e-PLUS members can also avail promos and discounts from partner merchants. The e-Plus starter kit comes with your personalized e-Plus card, free movies, snacks and a premium item.

To know more about the company, visit SM Cinema’s website at www.smcinema.com. You may also like SM Cinema on Facebook (facebook.com/smcinema) and follow them on Twitter (twitter.com/sm_cinema). To connect with IMAX on Facebook, follow facebook.com/imaxsmcinema and like them on Twitter.com/imax_smcinema. 

e-PLUS Tap to Pay Solidifies Partnership with Banking Giant BDO and the SM Food Retail Group

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e-PLUS Tap to Pay welcomes 2014 with two exciting news for the e-PLUS Tap to Pay cardholders to look forward to. 

To uphold its promise of providing the cashless convenience for its cardholders, e-PLUS Tap to Pay recently sealed its partnership with the country’s largest Food Retail Group : SM Hypermarket, SM Supermarket and Savemore in bringing cashless convenience to its shoppers. Held last November 25, 2013 at the SM Corporate Office Building E at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay, the contract signing was attended by Mr. Edgar Tejerero - SVP, West Avenue Theatres Corporation; Mr. Jose Mendoza, President, SM Supermarket; Ms. Bang Manalad, AVP for Operations, Savemore; Mr. Robert Kwee, President, SM Hypermarket. The e-PLUS Tap to Pay Card will be accepted in select stores by February and will be rolled out nationwide by 3rd quarter of this year. Starting the month of December 2013, the SM Food Retail Group has officially began accepting e-PLUS Tap to Pay allowing e-PLUS Tap to Pay cardholders to experience cashless payments for their purchases. 

Aside from the nationwide acceptance of e-PLUS Tap to Pay by the SM Food Retail Group, e-PLUS Tap to Pay is now giving its cardholders more reloading options. e-PLUS Tap to Pay seals its partnership with the one of country’s largest ATM network, BDO as one of its reloading partners at a contract signing held November 29, 2013 at the Mall of Asia Arena A-List Lounge. Beginning December 1, 2013, e-PLUS members may reload their e-PLUS Tap to Pay cards in over 2,000 BDO ATMs nationwide. The contract signing was attended by Sahara Jean Garnica - AVP, e-PLUS Tap to Pay; Djoanne Czarinna Dela Cruz - ATM Product Development Officer, BDO; Juvencio Pereche Jr. - ATM Channel Head, BDO; Edgar Alan Fernando - ATM Product Development Head; and Haidie Esmero - Senior Manager, e-PLUS Tap to Pay

The e-PLUS Tap to Pay card is now available in e-PLUS stations at all SM Cinema branches nationwide. Once you get your own e-PLUS Tap to Pay card, you can start breezing through daily transactions with a simple tap.

To know more about the features of e-PLUS Tap to Pay and its many benefits, please visit www.eplus.ph