MICHAEL CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ
In a tropical country like the
Philippines, MICHAEL CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ emerged
to be the first and the only skater from the Southeast Asia who qualified and
competed in the 2012 Youth Winter Olympic and 2014 Winter Olympic games. As he
ranks 5th in the world junior level and 31st in the
senior level category, he has put the Philippines, a country without winters,
on the center-stage of figure skating.
This 17-year old lad who was born
on November 4, 1996 in Muntinlupa City stands 5’7” and weighs 132 lbs. He likes
dancing, computer games and origami. He went to Muntinlupa School for Child
where he garnered his secondary education. Although
he is not gifted with chiselled chest, bulging biceps, and awesome abs because of the
nature of the sport he’s in, he undoubtedly possesses an angelic face that
sizzles with unlimited discharge of a ten kilo-watt smile and a look of
innocence that gives everyone the illusion of a real angel personified. His
eyes flush an ocean of emotion and regal bearing as he glides and executes the triple axel jumps on the
ice in his bladed skating shoes creating a picture of perfect Olympic
execution.
Alongside his very charming
personality, feathers on his cap have elevated him into a newfound level of
recognition and distinction. He has
received a number of citations and commendations from prestigious and prominent
political and social organizations here and abroad. Topping the list are Philippine
Senate no less, National Youth Commission, Office of the President, The City of
Carson, California, USA, and The Rotary Club of Greater Chino Hills, California
USA among others. SM Supermalls calls him an OUTSTANDING GLOBAL PINOY,
Philippine Media calls him THE GLODEN BOY OF PHILIPPINE SKATING, LORK OF THE
RINK and MOST BEMEDALLED SKATER. He was also accorded as ASIA’s WONDER KID in
Singapore in 2009, and was featured in DISNEY CHANNEL HIDDEN TALENT SHOW in
2009-2011.
His exceptional talents in
skating and unparallel dedication to his craft enabled him to bring home 189
medals and trophies with 145 gold, 29 silver, 5 bronze, 1 pewter and 12 bronze
pewter. He is expected to wave the Philippine flag again in the 2018 Winter
Olympics in Pyeongchang, South
Korea and hopefully bring home the gold medal this time, God willing.
The phenomenal rise of this go-getter
could be alluded to his humble beginnings, admirable discipline and pleasant
disposition in life. As he continues to epitomize
excellence at its best, he sets the boundaries of individual accomplishment for
every Filipino to emulate affirming the statement of Randy David that there is
Michael Christian Martinez in every Filipino.
Photo c/o : MJ Suayan
Stylist : Godric Ethan
Hair & Make Up Andrew Gerald Jardenil
