24 February 2014 - Michael Christian Martinez, the Philippines’ sole representative in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and his mother Maria Teresa, were hosted by Philippine Ambassador to Russia Alejandro B. Mosquera in a simple reception held at the Philippine Embassy in Moscow on February 20.

Representatives of Filipino community organizations in Moscow namely, Bayanihan ng Bayan ni Juan, BIBAK, and the Filipino Association in Russia were also in attendance.

The gathering provided an opportunity for the members of the Filipino community in Moscow to personally meet and congratulate Michael.

In his toast remarks, Ambassador Mosquera hailed Michael’s historic Olympic bid in Sochi, being the youngest skater in his category and the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to have qualified in the medal round of the figure skating competition. He noted that his riveting performances in Sochi have almost instantly raised the country’s profile among the Russian public.

Michael, for his part, graciously thanked his fellow Filipinos in Russia for their prayers and asked for their continued support as he continues with his skating journey hopefully until the 2018 Winter Olympics in the Republic of Korea.  END