Intro:

The first homegrown Filipino figure skater to qualify for an Olympic Games was given a hero's welcome on his return to the country on Sunday

Over a hundred people flocked to the ice skating rink at the Mall of Asia in Manila to get a glimpse of the 17-year old Filipino figure skater, Michael Christian Martinez.

Martinez, who had just came from a 30-hour flight from Russia, went straight to the skating rink to greet his supporters and the press.

The skating rink is where he has practiced for several years, perfecting the techniques and jumps that made history as Martinez became the first Southeast Asian to qualify for the Winter Olympics.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael Christian Martinez

(On what it feels like to be back from the Olympics at the place where he started)

"I am very happy and proud to compete at the Olympics and representing there our country and making history for the Philippines."