Filipino Olympic figure skater Michael Martinez (R) will have a skating camp this month and in July. With him in photo is CJ Suarez, SMLEI Sports and Development Head. – SMLEI

SINCE MAKING WAVES in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Michael Martinez has become the face of Philippine figure skating, and has done a good job at that as he continues to represent the country well in other international competitions.

Now the 19-year-old takes a break from his busy schedule of competition and training and briefly returns to the country to hold a series of activities designed to further advance the appeal and growth of the sport locally and give back to figure skating that has changed his life for the better in more ways than one.

Martinez will hold a skating camp at the Mall of Asia skating rink from June 15-17 and June 30 to July 1 at SM Seaside City Cebu where he will share some of his knowledge and techniques to campers who want to try or pick up the sport.

The camp is a fulfillment of one of Martinez’s wishes for local figure skating.

“It has always been my hope to begin a formal program in the Philippines in which I could help raise more Filipino figure skaters ready for the international arena,” said Muntinlupa City’s Martinez.

Helping the Olympic skater for the setting up of the camp are SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. (SMLEI) and SM Skating who are one with Martinez’s vision of development of the sport.

“We at SM Skating would like nothing more than to support Michael in his dream to develop budding skaters into Olympic athletes. We hope to have this camp in place annually during his off-ice seasons just as we hope that this doesn’t only create an interest in the sport, but also create a bigger spark in skaters to give them a push towards training harder for the gold medal,” said SMLEI Sports and Development Head CJ Suarez.

After the camp, Martinez will have two ice shows in SM Megamall on June 18 — 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. — to be followed each time by meet-and-greets with fans.

An ice show and meet-and-greet will also happen in SM Seaside City Cebu on July 2.

After his activities in the country, Martinez will fly back to the United States to continue his training for his next major competition in August, the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy to be held here in Manila.

Martinez also expressed readiness to represent the country in next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia, where figure skating will make its debut.

For more information on Martinez’s camp and other activities, log on to www.smskatingrink.com or check out /smiceskating on Facebook.