He left the Philippines in November 2013 to quietly begin his training abroad for the young teenager’s dream of a lifetime: to participate in the Olympics. Back home, at the ice skating rink of SM Mall of Asia where he has been skating since he was nine years old, his younger peers who have come to call him Kuya Michael have been missing him.

“He is soft-spoken but he mingled with the younger ice skaters and even with us. He is quiet, very focused during his practice sessions, but friendly,” said Juliet Fantolgo, operations officer of the SM Mall of Asia skating rink, one of two Olympic-sized skating rinks inside a mall in tropical Philippines.

And then on February 7, 2014, the lone figure of Kuya Michael waving the Philippine flag at the opening rites of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, became a touching image of the teenager—and his mom’s—determination to follow his dream.

“He really became an inspiration especially and he has really brought us pride. He showed the world that a Filipino can also excel in figure skating. Talagang proud kami sa kenya,,” added Fantolgo.

Shortly after Michael’s intense and well-applauded performances in the Sochi Winter Olympics Men’s Figure Skating, Fantolgo added that the “Michael factor” has been bringing in more walk-in customers at the mall’s ice skating rink. “From our usual 300 customers on Saturdays, we now average about 500, and from our usual 200 walk-ins on Sundays, the figures jumped to 500.”

And so on Sunday, February 23, SM Prime Holdings Inc., the property conglomerate of the SM Group of Companies, has prepared a program for the winter Olympian and homegrown skating rink talent.

“We are very proud of Michael. He is indeed a shining example for the youth as someone who saw no limits to what he can achieve. He has already inspired millions by following his dreams and by competing in the Winter Olympics and will continue to inspire us all as he works towards earning more medals in the future Olympic competitions,” SM Prime Holdings President Hans T. Sy said in a statement issued on Friday.

At 4 p.m., a motorcade around the mall area is set, followed by an awarding ceremony wherein Michael will be given a Lifetime Skating Privilege from SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc.. He will also be awarded the Global Pinoy Honorary Member from Global Pinoy and SM Supermalls as well as receive various gifts from the SM Group. The ice skating hero will also received a Key to the City of Pasay as an honorary citizen of Pasay, to be handed by Pasay City Mayor Antonio Calixto. Michael will also receive support from SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy amounting to US$10,000.

Fans will also get to hear Michael talk about his amazing journey in his speech afterwards.

And to borrow the title of the song, “A Time For Us,” which he danced to during the Men’s Figure Skating Short Program, it’s really the time for Michael to inspire, shine, and be proud.