Irina Feleo: Romancing the ice

"I began ice skating because of a dare that a cousin from Cebu made when she flew to Manila to join a competition. When I accompanied her during one of her pre-competition practices at SM Megamall, she dared me to try the ice. She thought that I would be scared to death or I would make a spectacle of myself!"

So recalls 14-year-old Irina Feleo who admits that she, indeed, made quite a spectacle of herself with her first clumsy excursion into ice-skating. These days, she is still a spectacle on ice, all right, but the sort that draws oohs and ahhs from a thrilled crowd, the sort that draws prize-winning marks from stoic-faced judges during competitions. In fact, she has already begun a collection of gold and silver medals, thank you very much.

Which is quite fitting for a daughter of Johnny Delgado and Laurice Guillen, both acclaimed and award-winning film and theater artists and whom Irina refers to as part of her "support system" that includes elder sister Ana and all the heavenly names that the faithful invokes for help, guidance, courage and strength.

"Skating," says Irina, "is like most undertakings. You will come to moments that are really frustrating, when things just don’t seem to work out no matter how hard you try to make it work. If the end result of the undertaking is well worth your efforts, the lesson is not to let your frustrations overcome you. You have to commit yourself to doing it – and do it the possible way. You have to focus and just keep on trying until you get it right. Because, ultimately, with your perseverance and God’s help, you will."

And Irina has. From the first painful falls, her spirit and determination kicked in and, in due course, she moved up level rankings established by the Ice Skating Institute (ISI) which she is currently rated a Freestyle 8 (which involves mastering such maneuvers as the double loop/double toe combination and the jump-sit spin). She has already won a total of six gold medals and several silvers from various competitions including the 1st National Youth Games. She is earnestly working on a Freestyle 9 rating, which is already the territory of international ice-skating champion Michelle Kwan.

"That would be really super because Michelle is really an idol of mine," she beams. "But I still have a lot of work to do to reach that level and I’m working hard toward that goal." Currently, Irina flies in and out of the US where she is training under US-based Japanese national champion, Sashi Kuchiki. Besides her training on ice, she also regularly attends ballet classes "because ballet greatly helps you develop grace and poise which are important elements in ice-skating."

"It’s really my dream to represent the country in the Olympics and in the World and National Ice-Skating Championships," she says, almost gushing with both excitement and resolve. She says that an easier route to these competitions would be to join under the flag of the US, given her current training and networks that are opening to her, but she is adamant about being a Philippine representative. "I just feel that this is the right thing to do."

So, has this daughter of award-winning film and theater artists forever committed herself to pursuing a different area of specialty? "Honestly, I would love to give acting and directing a try," she says, all smiles and sunshine, "but not right now because I have to focus on my skating."

Just what is it about the ice that so enthralls this lovely young lady? "When you are out there gracefully gliding on ice and you feel the cold stream of air gently brushing on your face, everything just feels good and right," says Irina, perhaps the Philippines’ very first Olympian ice skater.

You can always count on our applause and prayers, Irina!

What an album!

Star Records recently launched Tanging Yaman, The Inspirational Album. It has 14 beautiful inspirational songs. The album features Ang Panunumpa performed by the very talented Carol Banawa fresh from her magnificent theatrical debut in The Little Mermaid. Jamie Rivera and Robert Seña sing Ang Aking Dasal (a Tagalized version of The Prayer by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli), the fantastic voices of III of a Kind and the touch of Noisy Neighbors. Promising newcomers Tintin Arnaldo and Teenhearts are also featured. The song Narito Ako is performed by a group of priests called Inggo 1587.

Tanging Yaman, The Inspirational Album celebrates the family. It will be the initial album (CD format) offered to the public for only P100 as part of Star Records’ Anti-Piracy Campaign for the year 2000.