IGNITING the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics as the only Philippine representative, Asa Bisquera Miller continues to shine in the field of winter sports as an alpine skier.  The respective dates of his games were marked last Feb. 13th for the Men’s Giant Slalom category and Feb. 16th for the Men’s Slalom event. 

BURNING FOR A COLD SPORT

Born on June 14th, 2000 in Portland Oregon, Miller was raised by an American father and a Filipino mother who hails from Santa Cruz, Manila. He was already exposed to the sport that made him the Olympic athlete at just  1½ years old, when he skied for the first time in his life. Since then, he continued to pursue the sport. As he has been part of the Portland-based Mt. Hood Meadows race team. Along with training from the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club as well as a current member of the Snowbird Sports Education Foundation. 

THE SLIPPERY ROAD

Asa Miller’s journey during the 2018 Winter Olympics was not easy. He participated in races around the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden. One of the challenges he faced was a fundraising campaign his family held through the charity website, GoFundMe, for his Olympic qualification and journey; moreover, the Philippine Olympic Committee funded and shouldered his Olympic participation expenses which brings us to the Beijing  2022 Winter Olympics.

THE COLD NEVER BOTHERED HIM ANYWAY

As our only participant for this year's Winter Olympics, Miller geared up to do better and to ski higher. “I’m confident I’ll definitely place better,” Miller told the Power and Play with Noli Eala program of Radyo Singko. Given the opportunity to improve on his past mistakes and gain more experience, he is ready to go down the wintery slope once again and grab the medal compared to his Winter Olympics four years ago.

WINTER IS NOT OVER

Despite the burning passion and love for such a rigorous sport, it proved to be difficult when Miller submitted a DNF (Did not Finish) in both the Men’s Giant Slalom last Feb. 13 (due to slipping 35 seconds into his opening run) and Men’s Slalom on the 16th (skiing out after his foot got entangled in a pole). Despite a dual DNF from Miller in both games, Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation President Jim Apelar is proud of the 21-year-old Miller for being the sole representative of this year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Miller’s story will remain as an inspiration to those who wish to pursue a sport which seems impossible due to the seasons present in our country. “It’s hard to see what will happen, but I’m more excited to represent the Philippines, maybe in the World Ski Championships next year and some stuff like that,” Miller said.  Winter may be over, but there are more seasons to come.