Figure skater Martinez receives P110K from Munti City Hall

By Camille Diola (philstar.com) | Updated February 24, 2014 – 2:48pm

MANILA, Philippines — Michael Christian Martinez, the lone Filipino athlete in the 2014 Winter Olympics, will receive a P100,000 “bonus gift” from the local government of Muntinlupa City.

Martinez, who made it to the medal round in the men’s figure skating championship in Sochi, Russia, was honored Monday in his hometown in Muntinlupa.

The Muntinlupa City Council passed a resolution on February 17, granting Martinez with the monetary incentive.

The resolution for the reward came amid criticisms that Martinez, his mother and coach, flew to Sochi without backing from the government.

The 17-year-old skater arrived in the Philippines to a hero’s welcome on Sunday. He is also set to meet fans in an event in SM Megamall on Monday.

Martinez ranked 19th in the Free Skating event, leaping from his 30th ranking in the qualifiers.