Skaters from 19 countries compete at the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy 2025 in Pasay City on August 3, 2025. The competition marks the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics season. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA – For the Fiipina figure skaters competing at the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy 2025, having the home crowd cheering them on will always be special and a boost to their confidence.
The spectators present at the Mall of Asia skating rink showed their appreciation for all of the figure skaters taking the ice, regardless of their nationality, but the cheers were extra loud when figure skaters from the Philippines came out to represent the flag.
2024 Nationals champion Maxine Bautista, two-time Nationals champion Sofia Frank, 2024 Nationals silver medalist Cathryn Limketkai, Skye Frances Patenia and Charmaine Skye Chua competed at the Senior Women short program category on Sunday.
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Bautista had a massive support system backing her up, with her parents flying in from Chicago, as well as her mom's friends showing up for the 24-year-old.
“Honestly it was amazing. I heard the cheers before and then even after. I think that really helped afterwards,” she said. “I love coming back. The support, the cheering. For my parents, too, they don’t get to see them as often so it’s really nice to see everyone. I knew some of them were coming but I think it’s definitely a lot more than I thought.”
For the Chicago-based figure skater, it's not just a homecoming for her but for her parents who hail from Lian, Batangas.
"It definitely makes me happy because before this I don’t get to visit as much. And then now to come back many many more times and to see these people I haven’t seen in years is great," Bautisa pointed out. "This time I’m gonna stay a bit and probably go to my parents’ hometown. I will find a nice beach to go to.”
Her parents Vicky and Arnold Bautista were happy to be able to watch their daughter compete again in the Philippines.
"Masaya kasi I was able to watch her considering naka base kami sa US. We're so proud of her and her accomplishments now that she's representing the Philippines we're proud," Vicky said. "We make it possible nandun kami every competition. Whatever happens good or bad andun kami to support.”
"She's been representing United States in two international competitions. Now she's representing the Philippines. Sabi ni Maxine, this is where my parents were born. So we're very proud," Arnold furthered.
Despite being nervous while their daughter was performing, Vicky's high school friends were gamely cheering Maxine on.
"Those are my high school friends way back. Kaya sinusupportahan nila kami lagi. Nanonood sila simula ng mag-compete si Maxine nung Nationals nandito sila. Nalaman nila mag-cocompete ngayon kaya pumunta ulit sila," she said.
"At least makita niya ulit. Kasi nakapunta siya doon matagal probably seven years old pa siya. I think it's very important at least makita niya relatives namin," she shared on Maxine visiting their hometown of Lian.
The 19-year-old Frank cherished having her grandmother Josefine Tongko, her younger brother Kai, and her ninong cheering her on.
"It's really important [to have them here]. Because in Colorado she [my grandmother] was not able to go travel with me everywhere. So I just feel really lucky to have here and be able to watch every time I come back," she said.
Tongko said she's been supporting her granddaughter since she was young.
"As a prayer warrior, every time there's a game I'm always behind the curtain praying since three years old until now," Tongko shared. "Of course win or lose I'm so proud of my grand daughter.”
Limketkai also enjoys going home, especially when it includes competing in front of fellow Filipinos.
"It's great to skate back here in my home. It's a lot of pressure especially 'cause we're hosting and we're also representing the country. But I feel like the support is really helpful in getting through the program and doing the best we can do," she said.
Limketkai and Frank hopes the country hosting international figure skating competitions will help boost awareness and interest in the growing sport.
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"Figure skating has been growing a lot in Southeast Asia. I love how everyone is so interested in it, it's an amazing sport. Especially in a hot country, it's go to the skating rink to cool down. So I hope younger skaters here realize how fun figure skating sport. It is growing," Limketkai said.
"I think definitely just by watching, seeing everybody being here. I think it's definitely motivating for you know the Philippines to have more people try and skate. I would love to see more Filipina figure skaters out it would be cool," Frank shared.
The three figure skaters ranked from ninth to eleventh after the Senior Women short program category on Sunday, the top three for the Philippines.
This is the second time the country hosted the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy 2025, the last was in 2016. At least 170 figure skaters from 18 nations are participating in the competition which will run until today, August 5.