Fountains of Youth (and Inspiration)

Thirty-two years ago today, Pope John Paul II led the inauguration of World Youth Day at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.  Although the event is predominantly attended by Catholic delegates, it is very much open to those from other creeds; the themes of gratefulness, acceptance and peace transcend all differences, after all.

PeopleAsia trains the spotlight on some iconic Filipinos who are as young as they are inspiring!

Michael Christian Martinez: Ice Prince from the Tropics 

Michael could never forget the moment when he first stepped onto the ice in 2005 when he was just a scrawny eight-year-old boy. Despite being a sickly child, who often fought bouts of bronchitis and asthma (he is allergic to his own sweat and the cold in the rink made him sick in the beginning, too), his mother Maria Teresa decided to indulge her son’s curiosity and allowed him to skate for the first time. When his skates nicked the ice, an undeniable spark was ignited.

Since he started competing internationally, Michael wakes up at 6:30 a.m. and trains 15 hours during the low season. He trains even more before a competition, shifting between Manila and California.

To dedicate more time (as well as money) to his passion, Michael has been homeschooled since he was in Grade 5. Now at 17, he has successfully graduated high school and is looking into the next phase of his life. “Perhaps Dance or Sports Medicine,” he replies with a shy smile, regarding the course he is considering in college. “I want to be a doctor, when I can afford to pay (the tuition fees) myself. But first, my medal,” he smiles, twiddling his thumbs like a child.

Today, Michael is on a warpath, with blades a-blazing towards the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Apart from working on his upper body strength to bulk up his lanky 5’8” frame to better ground his landings, he’s also working on his physical feats. “I’m trying to perfect my quadruple jump. I’m doing triple axels and can do a 3.5 rotation. So I just need to push a little more,” he shares, eyes lighting up with the exciting challenges ahead.

Michael recalls one such trip abroad. “I was really nervous,” he admits. “Due to financial constraints, I couldn’t bring my coach.” His mother, tough in her own right, noticed her son’s uneasiness and scolded him: “If you’re nervous, then pray!”

“I think this is my path,” Michael beams assuredly. “I tried basketball, swimming—I loved swimming. I tried singing, too. In fact, I actually won a medal in a singing competition. It was a Sarah Geronimo song,” he chuckles. “But  skating is really where I belong,” he divulges, laughing off any suggestion of him joining showbiz.

At 17, life has yet to fully bloom for Michael. Faced with an intense schedule that leaves him very little time to do anything else, “What’s the rush in winning?” this writer asks him.  “Topnotch veteran skaters start training at two years old. I started at eight. They also peak at the age of 21. I will be 21 when I join the 2018 Olympics,” shares Michael. “Hopefully, I will still be as flexible and I can still do my spins at that age.”

Michael has been blessed with more than just talent. He’s been blessed with such a clear and keen purpose of self, a certainty rarely seen in someone as young as him. He knew he was gifted and determined enough to qualify for the Winter Olympics.

He blocks out the noise of the audience; his mind focuses on his arms, legs and fingers as they gracefully float into place. The music by Arthur Fiedler fills his body, ready to tell the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet on ice. Despite the lack of training, Michael gracefully sails through his choreography of well-timed spins and triple loops. To top off the charismatic performance, Michael woos the crowd with his jaw-dropping Biellmann spin.

The ice prince from the tropics, Michael Christian Martinez has done what no other Filipino has been able to achieve—securing a seat for himself in the hallowed halls of Olympic history as the first figure skater from the Philippines to perform in the Winter Games. Despite not bagging a medal, he wears the immortal crown of a true winner.| By KRISTEL DACUMOS-LAGORZA | Photography by MJ SUAYAN of AT EAST JED ROOT | Taken from PeopleAsia’s June – July 2014 issue 

Cris “Kesz”: An Act of Kindness 

Within the corridors of the historic Knight’s Hall in The Hague, Netherlands, Cris “Kesz” was welcomed with thunderous applause from hundreds of leaders from around the world.  Nobel Peace Prize winner for 1984 Desmond Tutu, the South African human rights activist, receives him with an embrace and praises him, “You are wonderful.”

Since he was seven years old, Kesz, along with the handful volunteers from Championing Community Children has tended to more than 10, 000 underprivileged children of Cavite City.

At two years old, when any other child would just be mastering his first few steps, Kesz was already dodging traffic along the alleys of Cavite. He was also scouring the hazardous mountains of trash at the local dumpsite. Kesz, along with other abandoned children, spent many days — and undoubtedly, a few nights, too — at this site, scavenging for their next meals.

His mother had eight other children to feed, while his father was a brute addicted to drugs and alcohol. Kesz admits that he was often told by his family that he was worthless and the source of bad luck. At one point, he actually believed them. Kesz painfully remembers one incident. “When I accidentally fell into a pile of burning tires at the dumpsite, my father said, “Buti nga sa iyo, ang kulit mo kasi (You deserve it).”  Kesz suffered extensive burns on his arms and back.

He was only five years old then and kindness was not something he knew very well. That was until he met Harnin “KB” Manalaysay, the founder of Club 8586 who rushed Kesz to the hospital that night. (KB is also a mentor of another young humanitarian, CNN Hero of the Year 2010 Efren Peñaflorida.)

“The day I suffered the burns on my body was like my baptism of fire,” Kesz mentions in his speech at The Hague. “It was so painful that night … and also the days that followed. I cried out of pain. But, on the other hand, that was also the day I was rescued. Now (when I think about it), I have tears of joy, because since then, up to this day, I know I am loved.”

Life has changed for him and in his young mind, he made sure never to forget or take for granted all the blessings he has received. And so on his seventh birthday (his first birthday to ever be celebrated), Kesz did not wish anything for himself. Instead, he asked Tats KB if they could go back to the dumpsite and give gifts to the children. That small sharing of blessings among children soon found root and blossomed into what would become the Championing Community Children organization.

Seven years later, the organization has grown bigger and stronger — but not without its challenges. Kesz shares that apart from finishing school and becoming a doctor, he plans to put up a halfway house for abandoned children like him. “I don’t want any other child to feel alone.”

I remember the experiences of my childhood. That’s my motivation for helping kids now. Once, a kind-hearted person showed me love and changed my life. I hope I can be that too for other children. I am just paying it forward,” he ends with a smile. “ | By KRISTEL DACUMOS-LAGORZA | Photography by SARA BLACK | Grooming by SARI CAMPOS | Taken from PeopleAsia’s December 2012 – January 2013 issue 

Jeric & Jeron Teng: The Power of Two

Some may say that basketball is just another ball game. For these hardcourt brothers, however, it is the purpose of life.

This writer will certainly not leave those calls unheeded. After all, who can ever forget the monumental Season 76 Men’s Basketball Championship finals game of the Univer sity Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena?

Sports onlookers and basketball fans also observed; nay, feasted, on the direct confrontation between two of the prized players from both schools. They who are not only opposing forces from the Taft and España Avenue camps, but more significantly, are biological brothers as well. A rare occurrence in the league, indeed, personified by UST’s Jeric Teng and Jeron Teng of DLSU.

“It was really a very different experience; awkward and, at the same time, fun. It was something new to us. Back in high school, we used to be teammates (for the Xavier Golden Stallions) and now in college, we’re opponents. Jeric and I are really close; that game really tested our relationship as brothers,” the Green Archer reminisces.

Jeric Allen Uy Teng agrees with the awkward factor, adding that it was a good game for both of them. “We were never really against each other, but we felt the pressure during the actual game. We were glad it’s all over; now we’re back as the close brothers we’ve always been.”

The Teng family also had different reactions during that historic game encounter. According to Jeric, “My dad (Alvin) cheered for Jeron while my mom (Susan) rooted for me. Even my two sisters (Alyssa and Almira) were happy for us.

“They were rejoicing with me when the championship title was won by DLSU. At the same time, however, they were sad for my brother and UST for not making it. It was really a case of mixed emotions,” Jeric reminisces.

The domestic setup at the Teng household was likewise not affected during the remaining weeks of the championship game. Jeric stayed at the DLSU quarters together with his fellow Green Archers; thus, the siblings were not on speaking terms, albeit temporarily.

Having instilled in them the proper values and priorities, however, the Tengs are not to rest on their laurels and remain to be the levelheaded and approachable brothers that they really are.

“I want to be known as someone who gives his all in every game he played, as someone who is very passionate in his craft. I also want to be approachable to the people who continuously support me, and to be able to give back to them what they gave me,” Jeric concludes with an endearing smile, as he fits into his Hugo Boss formal ensemble for the next pictorial peg.

Jeron, meanwhile, would like to divert from the standard mold of a basketball player as simply being a jock or student who occasionally cuts classes, with sports simply and predominantly occupying his mind.

“I grew up in a family that values education. That is why I would also want to be known as a basketball player who is a role model; someone who prioritizes his studies and his family,” ends Jeron with a flash of his pearly whites and that distinctive masculine charm.

With a good head above their broad shoulders, as their hands are kept busy dribbling balls and shooting hoops, our hardcourt heroes are worth admiring and emulating. Jeric and Jeron Teng, indeed, are a certified dynamic duo, on and off the court.|By GREGGY V. VERA CRUZ | Photography by MAU MAURICIO of AT EAST JED ROOT | Taken from PeopleAsia’s June – July 2014 issue 

Brian Kei Maxino: The Brave and the Beautiful 

Born with Down Syndrome and a hole in her heart, Brina beat the odds and looks forward to a college degree in two years. She is also a part-time teacher and currently a Global Youth Ambassador for Special Olympics Philippines, representing the Asia Pacific region. At the same time, she is the co-chair of the 2015 Globe Youth Activation Summit (GYAS) to be held in July this year in Los Angeles, California.

President Obama made special mention of Brina as the first Filipina to be a Global Youth Ambassador (GYA) to the Special Olympics, and a teenager at that. In her speech, Brina —confident and pretty in her red and white terno — candidly said, “Mr. President, you have changed your country, I am changing mine; together we speak the language of the unified generation.”

After the White House meeting with President Obama, Brina went on to make a courtesy call on Ambassador Jose Cuisia, Jr., the Philippine envoy to the US. When the Maxinos came home, it was their turn to be surprised — the local media, including the web, gave Brina’s White House feat ample salute. From “Bullied Brina,” she transformed into “Brave Brina,” the face and the voice of people with Down Syndrome.

At six months, Brina was not moving much, she could not even lift her head up or roll over to change position from lying flat on her back to lying on her stomach. “It was the worst case of hypotonia or diminished muscle tone,” the doctor informed the Maxinos. But what saddened and angered the couple most was the doctor’s verdict that Brina may not live long. But her parents fought for her and made sure that she grew up to be a bright young woman.

Attending classes in a regular school was the next challenge to hurdle for little Brina. She admits during this exclusive interview and pictorial for PeopleAsia, “Some classmates were mean, they bullied me and teased me. They would not allow me to join in their games, sometimes they even pushed me when I was too slow for them while running or walking.”

“I like going to school,” says Brina, who finished prep (Kiddie Lab Integrated School) and grade school (PEAN Academy) in regular schools. Her parents were earlier advised that their little girl “will not even finish grade school.” It did not faze them and Brina, who went to a regular high school (Holy Francis School of Parañaque). While in high school, she started doing part-time work at PEAN Academy. According to Winston, “It was recommended by the occupational therapist to help her develop simple skills like filing and organizing.” She was earning as well; every Saturday, she would proudly turn over her salary to her Mommy Alina.

While preparing for the GYAS summer event in the US, Brina is currently busy with the “R-Word” campaign done every first Wednesday of the month (since 2013). Explains Brina, “My partner Sashi and I conduct unified activities to encourage people to interact and include people with intellectual disabilities.”

In those events, the public is exhorted not to use “retarded” or “retard.” She adds, “I would like to ask the readers of PeopleAsia to please stop using the R-word even as a joke and similar words like mongoloid, moron, idiot — they are hurtful and insulting.”

After a hectic day, Brina loves to unwind with her family and friends over a plate of one-piece fried chicken and rice, plus a large packet of fries. Like most youngsters, she goes for popcorn, hotdog and topping her list of Pinoy faves is sinigang na baboy (pork in tamarind broth) with plenty of green, leafy veggies. When she craves for something sweet, a Chocnut will do.

To families with special children, Brina speaks from the heart. “Love them, don’t lose hope and with God’s grace, anything is possible. Believe in them and they will achieve.”| By LINDA M. DE LEON | Photography by MJ SUAYAN of AT EAST JED ROOT | Hair and makeup by SARI CAMPOS | Taken from PeopleAsia’s April – May 2015 issue 

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