Fil-Am figure skater competes in Germany

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am figure skater Mericien Venzon (photo), 17, has every reason to be proud of. She will carry the Philippine flag in Oberstdorf, Germany, where the 2009 Nebelhorn Trophy will be up for grabs. Venzon topped the recent search for the country’s bet at Mall of Asia’s Olympic-sized skating rink. Venzon will compete with other skaters all over the world for the chance to represent the country in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Ric Camaligan, VP for SM Leisure Centers, Inc. and head of the Philippine Skating Union, expressed high hopes about the country’s chances in Germany.

‘We may finally see Filipino figure skaters vying in next year’s Vancouver Winter Olympics,’ he says.

Venzon, a UCLA (University of California-Los Angeles) freshman, is preparing for the competition by training six days a week for about five hours a day. She has a main coach and an assisting coach, plus separate lessons in spinning, jumping, choreography and footwork.

The SM International Skating Rinks are accredited by the Ice Skating Institute Asia and the International Skating Union. Professional coaches help newbies master the sport. — Photo by Ver Paulino