 |
| (Image Source: Rappler) |
Four
years ago, Filipino sports buffs have glued in to their television screens at
late nights to watch and discover the unfolding of a new chapter in the history
of Philippine sports and it happened during the 2014 Winter Olympics. A young
Filipino skater by the name of Michael Christian Martinez has impressed late
night viewers including myself in his stint during the short and free skate
programs of the men's figure skating competition, feeling awed and delighted
that someone represented our country in the said event.
Despite
the fact that the Philippines is a tropical country, Martinez' graceful moves
and resiliency in the skating rink became a mark that started his own
trubitastic impact in the local sports scene. Honestly, I actually learned
about him in the news days before the said competition and we have never
expected that it happened considering that we are used to support the likes of
Pacquiao, Gilas Pilipinas, and even Team Lakay MMA. At the same time, Martinez'
stint has eventually boosted the morale of figure skaters in the country and are
reluctant to even exceed his footsteps.
I managed
to follow Martinez' journey after the Sochi Winter Olympics through all forms
of media. Judging by what I have seen and learned, it is without question that
Martinez will be remembered in the near future through the hearts and minds of
many Filipino sport lovers as the first from a tropical country to compete in
the Winter Olympics. Still, the skating scene in the Philippines may need to improve
further beyond support from government and concerned parties. Nevertheless,
this is something that we should be proud of.
