Photo by Andrej Isakovic/AFP
It’s not in every case you get to have full support from your family as much as Michael Christian Martinez did.
Being the first Filipino Winter Olympian in 22 years, Martinez’s family decided to mortgage the house to fund their trip to Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics. That’s despite of illnesses in their circle and the recent typhoon damages to their farm.
Martinez is 17 years old and is the first-ever figure skater to represent ANY Southeast Asian country.
According to Rappler’s article, Martinez’s mother already managed to seek assistance and support from the PH government with little to no response. “I don’t even think anyone at the president’s office knows there’s a Filipino skating in the Olympics.”
Heartbreaking to know so much potential is unsupported by our system. But hats off to the whole Martinez family for pursuing a dream many in a tropical country never even imagined once.
โIt feels great that I’m here representing the Philippines at the Olympics,โ Martinez told NBCOlympics.com in an interview Wednesday. โThere is a lot of pressure on me because not only am I skating for my country, but for all the hard work I’ve put in the last four years.โ via
Hopefully, more support on these kinds of talents sprout. There’s bound to be, now that this has gotten so much attention online – well, probably for this specific athlete alone. Until then, let’s hope for the best and applaud Martinez doing the country proud.
Keep on doing what you love. Sometimes it will make you take drastic decisions but more often than not, it’s well worth the calculated risk.