For the past two weeks, 17-year-old figure skater Michael Christian Martinez has been making headlines for being the first Filipino and Southeast Asian figure skater to compete in the Winter Olympics. The peak of the buzz happened last night, when Martinez finished with 64.81 points and qualified for the medal round (slated to happen Friday 11 p.m.)
While there's no question on how he qualified (he's 'fantastic', the male commentator vouched) the world is now wondering how did a tropical country with a mean annual temperature of 26 degrees C (78.8 degrees F) produce a winter Olympian?
Well, aside from getting professional training abroad, Martinez started and persisted early to hone his skills. He began skating in 2005 at the age of 8 at SM Megamall's ice skating rink.
The Philippines is home for three ice skating rinks, two of them are Olympic-sized. If Martinez has inpired you to try out the sport, here are the rates for open skating and formal lessons:
SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall
Open Skating (unlimited): P300 (weekday); P390 (weekend and holiday)
Locker rental: P40
Assist program: P150 per 30 minutes
Hockey Game: P500 per game
Sled ride: P100 per 20 minutes
SM Southmall
Open Skating (unlimited): P280 (weekday); P350 (weekend and holiday)
Locker rental: P40
Assist program: P150 per 30 minutes
Hockey Game: P400 per game
Formal Lessons (SM Mall of Asia, SM Southmall, SM Megamall)
One on one lessons
Basic: P3,600 (6 sessions)
Alpha: P3,100
Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Hockey 2: P2,500 (admission fee sold separately)
For inquiries, you may call 556-0471.
Photo of Michael Martinez from SM.
