SM Skating continues to operate three rinks: one in SM Southmall, one at the SM Mall of Asia, and a recently re-opened third in SM Megamall. Proximity to these locations isn't even half the battle in learning to skate. Aspirants who wish to be world-class figure skaters like Martinez need a lot of time and money to get there.
"A skater has to go the extreme, he has to choose between going to a regular school and training," said Noel C. Resultay, Senior Operations Manager - Ice Skating and Bowling for the Southmall branch, who divulged that Martinez had to train for 4-to-6 hours a day. "A skater has to have a determination to achieve his/her goals, he has to strictly follow training schedules and always listen to advice from his coaching team. Michael opted to have a home study program to concentrate fully on his training."
Aside from time, money is also a big factor in staking. Resultay shared that a top caliber skater may end up shelling out P50,000 to P75,000 per month for lessons and equipment.
The mall chain shared that it has also done its part in supporting Martinez.
"Aside from giving him free ice time at all SM Ice Skating Rinks, SM Prime President Mr. Hans T. Sy, thru the Philippine Skating Union, has given Michael a total amount of Php 1.5 million to defray cost of his training locally and abroad," shared Raymund Retumban, Division Manager of SM Ice Skating Rinks. "The Philippine Skating Union has also solicited Php 500,000 from individuals which was also given to him last November 2013."
Resultay added that the tropical weather condition in the country is never a source of discouragement for your figure skaters, as passion powers young performers on ice:
"Ice Skating is a unique sport in a tropical country like the Philippines. The Philippine skaters are very passionate about it, and of course their parents have been very supportive of their children when it comes to sports. Filipinos in figure skating are known to be versatile and expressive like how they easily interpret music through their gracefulness of movements seems natural." - AMD, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com
