Senate commends Olympian, beauty queens and journalists

The Senate today unanimously adopted a resolution commending Michael Christian Martinez for being the first skater from Southeast Asia to qualify and finish 19th overall in the 2014 Winter Olympics, held in Sochi, Russia from February 3-24, 2014.

Senate Resolution No. 505 was filed by Senator Vicente Sotto III last February 17, 2014.

"Michael Christian Martinez, a 17-year old Filipino skater, is the first skater from Southeast Asia to qualify for the Winter Olympics. He is the lone representative of the Philippines at the 2014 Winter Olympics and served as its flag bearer during the opening ceremony," the resolution states.

"Michael Christian Martinez qualified for the free skate and finished 19thoverall with a total score of 184.25 in the 2014 Winter Olympics," the resolution added.

"Despite his family's limited financial resources and a severe asthma condition, Martinez pursued his dream by developing his skills in figure skating in various shopping mall skating rinks in the country," the Senate resolution said.

"Martinez' achievement has brought pride, recognition and honor to the country and to the Filipino people," it added.

Meanwhile, the Senate also unanimously adopted Resolution No. 348 commending Ariella Arida for being the Third Runner Up in the 2013 Miss Universe beauty pageant, held in Moscow, Russia last November 10, 2013.

The resolution was introduced by Senator Lito Lapid and was filed last November 11, 2013.

"Twenty- four year old Filipina beauty Ariella Arida was crowned Third Runner Up in the 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which was held at Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia on 10 November 2013, thereby besting more than 80 other candidates and distinctly being the sole Asian to make into the pageant's Top 5," the resolution said.

"Dedicating her fight for the crown to the Filipino people, and urging her countrymen to keep strong amidst the storm, Arida's achievement gave Filipinos a source of hope and pride in the wake of super typhoon Yolanda," it added.

"By winning Third Runner Up in the highly prestigious Miss Universe pageant, Ariella Arida has made our country proud and has shown to the world that Filipinas are truly delightful to behold not only in appearance but also in strength of virtue and character," the resolution states.

The Senate also presented a copy of adopted Senate Resolution No. 419 to Bea Rose Santiago for having been crowned Miss International 2013 held in Tokyo, Japan last December 17, 2013.

Copies of adopted Senate Resolution No. 355 were also given to Ma. Lourdes Mangahas, Jarius Bondoc and Jiggy Manicad for being named 2013 Journalists of the Year (JOY) Awardees by the Metrobank Foundation Inc. and Probe Media Foundation Inc.

Senate Resolution No. 419 commending Santiago was adopted last January 22, 2014 while Senate Resolution No. 355 commending Mangahas, Bondoc and Manicad was adopted last January 29, 2014. (OLIVE CAUNAN)