ShareThisPASAY CITY – Olympic ice skater Michael Christian Martinez led seven Filipinos who received commendations from the Philippine Senateon Wednesday.
The Senate unanimously adopted a resolution commending the 17-year-old Martinez for being first skater from Southeast Asia to qualify and finish 19th overall in the 2014 Winter Olympics held Feb. 3-24 in Sochi, Russia.
”To have a Winter Olympian from a tropical country like us is already an achievement. We salute you for your outstanding achievement,” Senator Vicente Sotto III said in introducing the Senate resolution.
COMMENDING MICHAEL MARTINEZ. Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, along with Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Juliana Pilar Pia Cayetano, presents a copy of Senate Resolution No. 505 to Michael Christian Martinez, commending him for being the first skater from Southeast Asia to qualify and for finishing 19th place in the 2014 Winter Olympics which was held in Sochi, Russia. He was accompanied by his mother, Maria Teresa Martinez.
Despite his family’s limited financial resources and a severe asthma condition, Martinez pursued his dream by developing his skills in various shopping mall skating rinks in the country.
“Martinez’s achievement has brought pride, recognition and honor to the country and to the Filipino people,” the resolution said.
Martinez was accompanied by her ever supportive mother, Teresa.
Aside from Martinez, three international beauties and three journalists also received commendation from the Senate.
The Senate adopted a resolution authored by Senator Lito Lapid, commending Ariella Arida for finishing Third Runner- Up in the 2013 Miss Universe beauty pageant held in Moscow, Russia last Nov. 10.
Bea Rose Santiago, who was crowned Miss International 2013 in Tokyo, Japan last Dec. 17 and 2013 Miss Supra National Mutya Johanna Datul have also been commended through separate resolutions.
The Senate also commended Ma. Lourdes Mangahas, Jarius Bondoc and Jiggy Manicad for being named 2013 Journalists of the Year Awardees by the Metrobank Foundation Inc. and Probe Media Foundation Inc.