What are the two pillars needed to support one’s accomplishments in life? 

The will to achieve and the humility to stay grounded are the characteristic traits that manifested in the life of wonder boy Michael Christian Martinez, the lone Filipino ice skating Olympian.  

Even during a recent press conference held at the SM Mall of Asia, he was greeted by heartwarming cheers and applause by admiring fans and the press, yet he just bowed his head in gratitude, his eyes still full of wonder at what he had been able to accomplish. His humility was so apparent it seemed tangible enough to be touched, even bringing people to tears.

It all began one ordinary day in 2004, when then eight-year-old Martinez was casually strolling around SM Southmall with his mom and noticed the mall’s ice skating rink. It was love at first sight, the moment he saw people gliding on the ice. He felt a connection like it was meant for him to be there. And finally stepping into the ice, he must have realized that he was stepping into something he was made for because he later found himself immediately enjoying it. 

He enrolled in formal ice skating lessons to hone his craft and joined local competitions to develop his competitive spirit. Before he knew it, the ice skating rink was already his second home.

It has been said that “a man can be programmed or made depending on his environment. A man’s character is molded by his exposure and experience in that environment.” If there is any truth in that idea, then it is possible for one to glimpse how an athlete is made. In that environment of practice, one is exposed to the talent of others, as well as their views and experiences on the development of skating skills, even the secrets to executing complicated routines. The place of practice is considered sacred to many arts because it becomes the melting pot of ideas, and the place where secrets are revealed that bring out the super in ordinary mortals.

The true grit and strong will of Martinez made him a worldwide champion, but his success did not come easy. He was born with asthma and, at the age of two, he was diagnosed with asthmatic bronchitis. In another broadsheet Martinez says, “I literally grew up in the hospital as I was very sick. I couldn’t take up any sport. I tried outdoor sports when I was younger, but I easily got asthma attacks so I stopped. I had asthma maintenance medicine when I started skating, since the cold in the rink makes me sick too. But year after year my health keeps improving, so my mother fully supported me to continue skating. She said it’s better to spend the money on skating than in the hospital.”

So even if the wind to soar him higher was literally taken away from him through this malady, he pushed forward to continue his dreams. But the trials did not end there. He suffered a cut in his thigh from a skating blade in 2009; he fractured his ankle in 2003; he tore two ligaments in his ankle in 2011 and a medial ligament in his knee in 2012; he injured his muscles during his trainings. 

He always came back with renewed vigor and stayed true to his dream to become a professional figure skater. Michael, fully aware of his humanity and his frailness, saw beyond and tapped into something inside him to overcome his weaknesses. He held on to his resolve to create himself into a formidable Olympian.

Martinez has garnered 194 medals and trophies from various international and local competitions. And, to date, he is the first-ever Southeast Asian to be eligible to compete for the Winter Olympics performing in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics after he clinched seventh place at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany and qualified.

In this 2014 Winter Olympics, Martinez ranked 19th out of 24 in the men’s figure skating event. He made Olympic history for both the Philippines and Southeast Asia, garnering a total score of 184.25 points. He glided the rink swiftly and executed triple axels, triple double toes, double flip and even a triple loop. Never a small feat for an asthmatic boy.

The lone Philippine bet received so much positive response from the audience, judges and fellow competitors. One of the female event commentators even mentioned, “For me, he’s getting stronger and maybe running away a little bit, but he’s giving it everything that he’s got and he’s fighting right to the finish.”

All this was only made possible because of the support of his mother. She has been his compass to guide him and keep him rooted. During the press conference, Mrs. Martinez was very quiet, never saying a word and letting her son have all the shining glory. He said that all that he needed was to look into the eyes of his mother and a glow of power would lift him, strengthening him because he knew she was always there.

Both the SM Southmall and the SM MoA ice skating rink have become his second home and, in return, SM Prime Holdings president Hans T. Sy salutes Martinez with the words: “We are very proud of Michael. He is a shining example to the youth as someone who saw no limits to what he can achieve. He has already inspired millions by following his dream and by competing in the Winter Olympics and will continue to inspire us all as he works towards earning more medals in future Olympic competitions.”

Athletes are not just doing themselves a favor, not just reaching their own stars and achieving their own dreams, but they also affect their country, the world and even the entire universe. They stand up for something; they signify something; they tell everyone something; and that something makes a difference. 

When Martinez visited the Philippines, he did a series of performances in SM Ice Skating rinks in Metro Manila. Martinez inspired many and showed them what a shining hero of skill is, what true will and humility look like; and the true essence of a champion.