Above, under & beyond the rainbow: FILA Family, Meet & Greet; A Day of Wonder

Last June 21, 2014 was a very busy day for the whole FILA family. It was not only a meet and greet event for the FILA fans but also a welcoming event for its newest endorser and family member, Michael Martinez, Philippine’s latest sports darling on ice.

It was a two-venue event which started in the FILA store at Robinson’s Galleria and ended at their branch in SM Megamall. The whole event was attended well by fans and by-standers alike. Well who wouldn’t attend this event if you get to see, have a picture and even get a hug or two from people who are endorsing FILA, right? There to welcome the newest member of the FILA family were Team Volcano, Fabio Ide , Ms. Tessa Prieto and Ms. Cris Albert, FILA owner, nonetheless.

Both locations were packed with people wanting to see their sports and lifestyle idols in the flesh. People can simply walk-in the store, get a FILA foldable fan to be used as an autograph sheet and have their phone cams ready for a photo shoot with their idol. Each store location was rearranged to host a long table and a photo wall to serve as activity area for the meet and greet for that day.

People really took the time to line-up and wait for their turn at the activity area set on each store. Fabio Ide was ever charming. He took the time really to embrace each fan as they have their picture taken. He even joked with some of them. Team Volcano was ever charming too. Tessa Prieto is another story. Always her stylist self, she graced the event in a white dress design with small but bold red floral pattern at the neck and bodice area and a red fan hair piece completing her ensemble. She is the fashionista that FILA is all about also. Showing support to the whole event was Ana Abad Santos of Red Turnip Theater.

Michael Martinez, along with his supportive mother, was at the SM Megamall location. People were dying to see him and have their picture taken with him.

About Michael Martinez: (information used was from wikipedia)
Michael Christian Martinez (born November 4, 1996) is a Filipino figure skater. He placed fifth at the 2013 World Junior Championships. Martinez is the first skater from Southeast Asia and figure skater from the tropical zone to qualify for the Olympics and the only athlete to represent the Philippines at the2014 Winter Olympics.

Martinez began skating in 2005 at the SM Southmall ice rink. In addition to training in Manila, in 2010 he began spending several months a year in California working with John Nicks and Ilia Kulik. Martinez debuted on the Junior Grand Prix series in the 2010–2011 season.

He landed his first triple Axel in competition at a 2012–13 Junior Grand Prix event in Lake Placid, New York. He placed 6th in his JGP event in Croatia. At the 2012 Crystal Skate of Romania, Martinez won his first senior international title, also a first for the Philippines. He finished 5th in his second appearance at the World Junior Championships and set a new personal best overall score of 191.64 points.

In 2013–14, Martinez started his season at the 2013 JGP Latvia where he finished 4th. He then competed on the senior level at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy, the last qualifying event for the 2014 Winter Olympics. He finished 7th and earned a spot for the Philippines in men's singles — a first for his country. Martinez then competed at the 2013 JGP Estonia and won his first JGP medal, a bronze. He withdrew from the 2014 Four Continents Championships but competed at Skate Helena and took the gold medal.

Back to the Event

Cos-players joining the event

Even if there was a big event in Megamall coinciding with the FILA event, the whole place was packed to the brim! People who knew of the event stayed up until the last minute. While those who saw the activity came in and even pulled other people to join the ever growing crowd. We even had cos-players joining the event.

Besides the cos-players, we had true-to-heart FILA fans waiting to meet and have their moment with the whole FILA family. One in particular hit me in terms of the sheer joy showing on her face. (Read her story in my other blog entry. She deserves that focus.)

Besides the standard meet and greet, the whole FILA endorsers also took the time to shop for items that they need. From sports apparel to shoes, items were taken off the rack to be fitted and packed for their use and promotion. The same welcoming activity was made available also to the newest member, Michael Martinez.

Ms. Cris Albert, owner of FILA, was there to welcome all FILA endorsers and fans. She was one charming lady who took a moment of her time to spend with people who believes in her product and shares her vision in life.

Tessa Prieto, Michael Martinez, Ms Cris Albert
and Mrs. Martinez

As a whole, the event was one busy, tiring but fun day. A day full of energy, people with drive and vision and a product that encompasses them all: sports, healthy lifestyle and fashion.

Photos that day:
(All photos were taken by me personally)

The crowd at Robinson's Galleria FILA store