Filipino Olympian skater Michael Martinez finished at 19th place out of 24 skaters at the men's Figure Skating event at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The teenager is the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to qualify in the Winter Olympics men’s figure skating.
In a tweet last Saturday(Feb. 15) MVP Sports foundation executive director Chot Reyes said said he e-mailed Martinez's mother, Maria Terese Martinez, informing her of a $10,000-bonus from the foundation, authorized by business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan himself.
Just emailed Mrs Martinez that MVPSF at request of @iamMVP has authorized a bonus of US$10k in recognition of Michael's historic performance
— Chot Reyes (@coachot) February 14, 2014
In a press briefing on Sunday, February 16, Presidential Communications Operations Office secretary Sonny Coloma said a warm welcome awaits Martinez for representing the Philippines at this year's winter games.
Ang tinitiyak ko lang po ay kinikilala natin ang mahusay na performance ni Michael Martinez, at nakikiisa tayo sa ating mga kababayan, at tiyak na makatatanggap siya ng mainit na welcome at pagkilala sa kanyang pagbabalik (We acknowledge his fine performance and are one with the Filipino people in making sure he will get a warm welcome upon his return).
At naghahanda na rin ang BIR sa pag-uwi ni Michael, Tulad ng pag-salubong na ginawa sa Pinay Pride na si Osang na nanalo sa Xfactor Israel at sa kamakaylan lang na nanalong si Manny Pacquiao.
