Non-negotiable

CEBU, Philippines — Michael Martinez now coaches figure skating wannabes. Aside from wanting to transfer the skill that qualified him for the Winter Olympics twice, he wants to popularize the ice sport in a tropical country.

Of course he is entirely different from the presidential aspirant before whose platform of government is to bring four seasons to the country, winter especially. Martinez is a legitimate athlete with legitimate blueprint whereas the four seasons guy is a nuisance candidate with fantasy for a platform.

Sports attract athletes with potential at greatness, elections draw candidates with recipe for disaster, without reference to those whose only claim to public service is intention, without clear plan of action. Let the people decide, democracy dictates.

Although Michael did not medal in the Winter Olympics, he brought awe and artistry to the rink and to the country peopled with world class artists. What it lacks in height and size is compensated by its abundance in grace, precision and creativity, some of the best ingredients in figure skating. Dance sport too.

Although the country does not snow, it is not necessarily slow, without reference to its preparedness against storms and floods and many more in between and beyond. Somehow the country survives on resiliency. Just because there is no ice does not mean sun kissed Filipinos cannot dice. Conversely, swimming is not as popular as it should be in thousands of islands surrounded with water, otherwise known as the archipelago.

Martinez is not alone though, other Fil-foreigners do well in ice skating. But Michael is most recognizable. Filipinos are obsessed with anything foreign or imported, must be due to its long history of being a colony that not only damaged but stole its culture. Worse, today social media removed boundaries that confused people about their national identity.

But in sports they want authentic representation. They may be awed, but not as warm to heritage representatives. The Big J remains most popular in local basketball history despite better skilled imports. Kristina Marie Knott virtually broke all records of the great departed Lydia de Vega, but the warm country is cold. It welcomes and celebrates the sprinter but does not embrace her as its own.

Filipinos want someone homegrown. Or relatable, that drawing power beyond definition. It’s either you have it or you don’t. The real deal are not even aware they have it. Unfortunately, it appears the only criterion in public office selection. Voters do not relate to some of the most qualified who refuse to go down so low either. Dignity is beyond compromise. Those who do didn’t have any. (CEBU NEWS)