Filipino figure skater Michael Martinez has remained hot on ice, recently ruling the Triglav Trophy in Slovenia for the second straight year.

The boyish-looking skater is back home to share the victory with his countrymen. Yesterday, he was presented to the media at the SM Megamall Bowling Center.

Martinez, who put the Philippines on the figure skating map when he competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, said he never stopped working.

“I train non-stop and I’m getting better,” said the 18-year-old.

Martinez was presented by CJ Suarez, the 2003 World Cup bowling champion, and now head of the SM Lifestyle and Entertainment, Inc. sports development.

“Tuloy-tuloy talaga ang training,” said Martinez, who was also accompanied to the press event by his mother, Teresa.

Martinez said he trains eight long hours a day – on and off the ice. A typical day begins at 8:30 in the morning with ice sessions, then off to dance lessons after lunch break, back to skating until 3 p.m. then to the gym.

The Filipino star who hopes to win the Olympic gold is in good hands while he trains. Russian Ilia Kulik, the 1998 Olympic champion, is at the helm.

British John Nicks, a former world champion, is his jumping coach, and American Scott Wedland works on the spins. Italy’s Lia Trovati is hands-on developing Martinez’ on-ice dance, and Peter Kongkasem as the freestyle coach.

It’s an all-star cast.

The Fiilipino said he’s been working on his quad jump (four revolutions) for three months now although he hasn’t tried it yet in an actual competition.

“But I’m getting close. It’s not done yet but hopefully,” said Martinez.

He aired his excitement over recent news that figure skating may be included in the 2017 SEA Games calendar in Malaysia.

“It would be an honor to represent the Philippines in the 2017 SEA Games in hopes to win the gold medal for our country,” he said.

Martinez is looking ahead to a very busy schedule.

Next week, he leaves for the Los Angeles Open Championship (July 10 to 12), and then the Skate Detroit in Michigan (July 23 to 25), the Asian Trophy in Bangkok (Aug. 5 to 8), the USA Classic in Utah (Sept. 16 to 29) and the Filandia Trophy in Espoo, Finland on Oct. 8 to 11.