Philippines are one of the many countries who would be participating in the first World Ice Skating Day (WISD) on December 4, 2022.
Ice-skating is a growing sport in Philippines with a lot of young skaters participating at an international level with potential for further growth.
For the World Ice Skating Day 2022, the Philippines Skating Union under the proficient stewardship of Ms. Dyan Leah Cheng (President of Philippine Skating Union) has plans to conduct the WISD in all the 3 Ice-skating rinks- SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Seaside Cebu. The program includes- free introduction to all ice sports, promotions, exhibitions, and a fundraiser.
© Philippine Skating Union
Philippines have quite a history with Ice-Skating. The first ice skating rink in the Philippines was inaugurated in 1992 in SM Megamall. This was a leisure sized rink but started the sport of figure skating in the Philippines. In 2004, the first Olympic sized rink in the SM Mall of Asia was opened, which granted the full membership of the Philippines to the ISU. Both rinks have been moved from their original locations in the mall, for a bigger and better venue. Now, there are 3 Olympic sized rinks in the Philippines, including SM Seaside which is in the province of Cebu which opened in 2015.
There have also been several notable skaters who have skated at a high level from the Philippines. Michael Christian Martinez, Figure skater and Olympian was the first male figure skater from Southeast Asia and from a tropical country to qualify for the Winter Olympics, as well as the first Philippine Winter Olympian in 22 years.
© Getty Images
Isabella Gamez along with her partner Alexander Korovin are also currently skating in the Pair Figure skating category this season and recently made their international debut for the Philippines at the Challenger series Finlandia Trophy in Espoo, Finland.
View this post on Instagram
Other notable skaters include Sofia Frank, Edrian Celestino & Charmaine Skye Chua.
The World Ice Skating Day is one day dedicated to Ice-Skating all over the world. The International Skating Union (ISU) announced the festival to celebrate the sport, with plans for it to be held annually on the first Sunday of every December. The event will see ice skaters - professionals, amateurs, beginners, and newcomers - reunite to break social, economic and cultural boundaries.
Focus on greater inclusion, youth involvement and future development of all ice-skating disciplines are planned during WISD.
Another aim of the event is to make the sport more accessible in a fun and safe environment for skaters of all levels and experience, by involving their families.
See what is happening at this event- https://www.worldiceskatingday.com/event-locator/philippines-mandaluyong-city-pasay-city-cebu-city