MANILA, Philippines, December 6 ------ The Philippine Skating Union (PHSU) is set to include Russian figure skater Alexander Korovin as a naturalized Filipino, after his naturalization bill hurdled the Senate. With the plenary voting 21 affirmative, 0 negative, and 0 abstentions in the third reading, the upper chamber will then transmit the bill for the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Korovin, along with Filipino-American Isabella Gamez, were in the Senate to personally witness the passage of the legislative measure. If Marcos does not veto the bill, Korovin will officially become a Filipino 15 days after the publication of the signed law in a major newspaper.
Korovin will then be required to proclaim an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines administered by the Bureau of Immigration, and will apply for a Philippine passport at the Department of Foreign Affairs. “The timing of this approval was strategically pursued to ensure the pair’s eligibility to compete at the upcoming Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, this February 2025,” PHSU chief Nikki Cheng told Rappler. “This is a historic opportunity, and we firmly believe that this talented duo has the potential to bring home the Philippines’ first-ever medal in the Asian Winter Games,” she added.
Korovin has been partnered with Gamez since 2022, with the pair recently taking home silver in the Trophée Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur in France last October. The pair needs to rack up valuable ISU World Standings points needed to qualify for the ISU World Championships in 2025. Gamez and Korovin became the first Southeast Asian pair to compete and qualify in the final segment of the World Figure Skating Championships in 2023. “I’m thankful to represent the Philippines with Isabella and to be Filipino. I will continue to give 100% because I know what I’m fighting for, my kabayan, the Filipino people.”
Source: rappler.com
Comments