Winter Olympian Michael Martinez given a warm welcome cum a $ 10,000 cash award handed over by Ms. Carmen Linda M. Atayde, Senior Assistant Vice President and Executive Director and Hans T. Sy, Chairman Philippine Skating Union and President, SM Prime Holding Inc. at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014 (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Lawmakers have commended through various resolutions Filipino ice skater Michael Christian Martinez who participated in the 22nd Winter Olympic Games recently held at Sochi, Russia.
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said the talented Michael Christian gave an impressive performance at the 2014 Winter Olympics, reaching 19th place overall in the men’s figure skating event.
Martinez got a score of 64.81 points for the short program and 119.44 for the final free skate routine, for a cumulative score of 184.25 points.
“The athlete has shown tremendous talent, ability, and heart, quietly achieving his dream of competing despite numerous obstacles and injuries through the years,” the Speaker said.
“Through sheer determination and hard work, Martinez qualified in this years’ Winter Olympics, becoming the first Filipino and the sole athlete to ever compete from a Southeast Asian nation to reach the finals of the Men’s Free Skating event,” the Speaker said.
The Speaker said Martinez has exhibited tremendous pride and joy in representing the Philippines at the 2014 Winter Olympics, serving as an inspiration to his countrymen, especially the young generation of today, when he showed the whole world the ability of the Filipino to surpass any limitation and excel in any field.
Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao (Lone District, Sarangani), who filed House Resolution 845, also commended the athlete’s mother, Maria Teresa Martinez “for her love, sacrifice and unwavering support for her son”.
Pacquiao said an achievement that garners international recognition and a character display that is worthy of emulation should be given due recognition.
“Despite being born with asthma and frequently in the hospital due to asthmatic bronchitis at such a young age, Michael Christian, now 17 years old, triumphed over the said medical condition through hard work thereby being worthy of admiration,” Pacquiao said.
Rep. Eric Olivarez (1st District, Parañaque City) said Martinez deserves commendation for being one of the few athletes to qualify for the Winter Olympic games despite his very young age and the country’s want of snow.
Rep. Terry Ridon (Party List, Kabataan) said Martinez serves not only as an inspiration for Filipino athletes and the youth but also raises a compelling challenge for the national government to once and for all fulfill its constitutional mandate to support Filipino athletes by implementing a comprehensive and state-funded athletic training program in various sports, including figure skating.
Rep. Lucy Marie Torres Gomez (4th District, Leyte) said Martinez’s very memorable sports accomplishment is a wake up call to all sectors of Philippine society to pull their acts together and allocate more resources for the training of local athletes, especially those with world-class potentials.
Rep. Winston Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City) said Martinez finely demonstrated the indomitable spirit that emboldens the Filipinos.
Martinez has received a bronze medal at the 2013 Junior Grand Prix Tallinn Cup; a gold medal at the 7th Europa Cup Skate Helena; won his first senior international title at the 2012 Crystal Skate of Romania; finished 5th place at the 5th World Junior Championships; 4th place at the 2013-14 International Skating Union Junior Grand Prix Riga Cup; and 7th place at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy senior international figure skating competition.
The commendation of the Filipino athlete was contained in House Resolutions 838, 827, 828, 829, 831, 832, 834, 839, 844, 857, 860, 842, 822, and 836 authored respectively by Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II (Mandaluyong City) and Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora (San Juan City), Reps. Grex Lagman (Albay), Rodolfo Biazon (Muntilupa City), Maria Carmen Zamora (Compostela Valley), Magtanggol Gunigundo (Valenzuela City), Anthony Del Rosario (Davao Del Norte), Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (Leyte), Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Pampanga), Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo (Camarines Sur), Jose Atienza, Jr.(Party List, Buhay), Jonathan De La Cruz (Party List, ABAKADA), Victor Francisco Ortega (1st District, La Union), Philip Pichay (Surigao Del Sur), Lani Mercado-Revilla (Cavite), Aleta Suarez (Quezon), Toby Tiangco (Navotas City), Ako Bicol Party List Reps. Christopher Co and Rodel Batocabe and A Teacher Party List Reps. Mariano Piamonte, Jr. and Julieta Cortuna. (MNS)