18 red roses for Michael

MANILA, Philippines - Olympian figure skater Michael Martinez is back in town for a very short Christmas break in Manila. He’s still overjoyed and grateful for his 18th birthday celebration held last Nov. 4 at Gerry’s Grill. “Siempre po si Mama,” he said when asked who’s No. 1 on his “thank-you” list. Michael was born on Nov. 4, 1996 in Parañaque City.

While debutantes receive individual roses from 18 family members and close friends, the only Filipino skater at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, received a bunch of 18 red roses during his party from host Lucy Brimbuela, administrator of Palm Village, an assisted living nursing facility in Garden Grove, California.

“Ito po ay para sa ‘yo, Mama,” Michael said, “for your unconditional love and never-ending support, your patience and encouragement that keep me going. Kasama na po dito ang thank you ko to my sister Angel and brother Paul. Nandito po sila kaya more memorable itong occasion na ito. And to all of you, maraming, maraming salamat po.”

There was an overflow of crowd at the restaurant with some hundred well-wishers.

“I thank my church team for putting this party together,” said Brimbuela. “The decorations, the cake; the band that traveled from San Diego and OPM great Florante (de Leon) entertaining our guests.” She found out that Michael hasn’t had a birthday party growing up in the Philippines. “When we heard that,” said the host, “we mobilized our church members and asked Teresa to invite all of Michael’s friends and supporters.”

Others heard, too, and the blowout on Nov. 4 was only one of the four parties thrown for a beloved skater. The following weekend was at the iDance Studio in Carson thrown by Michael’s No. 1 fans club, Nonie Belarmino and the Zumba family.

Michael had had two recent competitions: The Lombardia Trophy in Sesto San Giovanni (Milano), Italy on Sept. 18 to 21, where he placed sixth among 13 contenders scoring 199.92 points.

The other was an invitation from the International Skating Union Grand Prix of Figure Skating at the Hilton Honors Skate America in Chicago, Illinois from Oct. 24 to 26. The only Filipino and Southeast Asian to compete in the first Grand Prix event finished 10th of 12 participants and collected a total of 197.58 points (72.81 in the short program and 124.77 in the free skate).

Choreographed by Russian coach and former competitive ice dancer Nilolai Morozov, Michael skated his short program to Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2; and his free skate to Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Morozov, who is based in New Jersey, lists five-time world figure skating champion Michelle Kwan as one of his students.

Dubbed the Lord of the Rinks in the Philippines, Michael continues to work with coaches John Nicks, 85, a former British World champion who had coached Tai Babilonia; Russian Ilia Kulik, 1998 Olympics champion; and American pair skater Scott Wendland, who won the silver medal in 1992 with partner Jenni Meno.

 “I love my new free skate costume,” he offered, “and I thank Ms. Tania Bass for making it for me for the Grand Prix.” Bass of New York, who has been dressing skaters and other performers for more than 25 years, told Michael that she will make his costumes anytime.   

Michael won silver for the Nov. 20 to 23 Warsaw Cup in Poland at the Torwar ice rink. The international competition is part of the International Skating Union Challenger Series for 2014 to 2015.

He placed sixth out of 22 competitors in Croatia for another competition. The Golden Spin of Zagreb was held from Dec. 4 to 7. It is also a part of the ISU Challenger Series 2014 to 2015. He was fourth in the short program, but fell sixth overall after the free skate.

Michael is looking forward to more challenges in 2015. — Lydia V. Solis and Tony T. Vizmonte