ASHLEY considers heart and technique as her edge over the competition.

MANILA, Philippines — When she was a toddler, Ashley Aquino Brickman would slide around their house in her socks, imagining that one day, she would become a world-renowned figure skater.

Now at 16 years old, and still determined than ever, Ashley is aiming high to represent the Philippines in the 2016 Olympic Winter Games -- even if it meant leaving her young life in Pennsylvania, in the United States where she was born and raised.

“I started skating when I was four years old. My mom had previously put me in swimming classes but I told her that if she put me in skating, I would never quit. I love to compete and I love to win. I love performing in front of people,” says Ashley.

Figure skating is not an easy sport, but Ashley is kept motivated every day by her love for the sport and the support of her family. “Since the day I said I wanted to figure skate they have been there for me 110 percent of the way. Both my parents work very hard to finance my skating.”

Recently, Ashley debuted at the 2010 National Figure Skating Championships at the SM Mall of Asia International Skating Rink. She finished second in the junior ladies division.

Heart and technique
Although she has been training in the US under two-time US Olympic Team coach Audrey Weisiger, Ashley never took it as an advantage. For her, what matter most are heart and technique.

“Even a country’s climate has nothingto do with the talent level or determination of the skater,” she stresses.

Back in Pennsylvania, Ashley gave her studies as much time as her sport. That is why she is working not only on her skating dream, but also on her life-long ambition to become a surgeon.

“I believe in balance and in excellingat both. Education allows a person to achieve her dreams in a completely different way than a sport allows you to do so. After I take my skating career as far as I can take it, I plan on becoming a surgeon. It’s been my dream to become a doctor for as long as I have been skating.

I value my education on the same level as I value my sport and take every exam and grade very seriously. I plan to try my hardest and do whatever it takes to make those dreams come true,” she continues.

Short of being hard on herself, Ashley is so serious and dedicated to what she does that she doesn’t have the time to take up other hobbies. “I wake up at 6:30 a.m., go to school, and then go to skating. I do my homework, sleep, wake up and do it all over again. My weekends are occupied by workouts. For 15 years until I moved to my boarding school, my mom drove me to all my lessons, doctor’s appointments, pilates, acupuncture, sports massage, physical therapy,chiropractor. She picked me up from school, drove me to skating and picked me up every day,” she recalls.

She names US champion and Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen as her idol. “She is pure perfection and by far, in my eyes, the most beautiful skater of all time. I could watch her on YouTube for hours on end and have that same feeling of bliss every time I watch her skate,” she adds.

Cousin P-Noy
Since it is her first time to visit the country,Ashley tries as much to do anything and everything Filipino. “My stay could not be going any better. Besides the time occupied for preparing for the competition, I’ve spent time with my family here, shopped, and got to eat dishes I haven’t had in years!” she gushes.

Not known to many, Ashley is also P-Noy’s cousin. Her mom, Katrina Aquino, is a cousin of the late Senator Ninoy Aquino. That makes President Noynoy her cousin too.

“I think it’s awesome to have a cousin for a President. From what I know about him, I really admire most his honesty,” says Ashley, who adds that she is very close with the Aquino side of the family.

Ashley considers meeting new Filipino friends as the best part of her journey. “I have heard for countless times about how polite, generous, heartfelt, and loving the Filipinos are. But experiencing it for myself has been a real treasure I will never forget,” she ends.