Filipino Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena will inaugurate his first pole vaulting facility on November 22 at the Marcos Stadium in Laoag City, a space designed to foster young talent and proudly represent the Philippines on the world stage.
If there were ever a living embodiment of the green flag, it’s without a doubt EJ Obiena.
The nation’s boyfriend is definitely setting the bar higher.
Beyond racking up international achievements and milestones, the Filipino Olympic pole vaulter is committed to transforming the future of his sport in the Philippines. And now, one of his most cherished dreams is becoming a reality—one that will shape the next generation of athletes.
In a recent Instagram post, Obiena shared the news that he’s about to see something huge come to life: the construction of a pole vault facility in the Philippines.
“One of my biggest dreams is coming true!!!” he wrote about the opening of a state-of-the-art pole vault venue at the newly constructed Marcos Stadium in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
But his vision doesn’t end there.
“Yes, I do harbor a dream of bringing home an Olympic medal for the Philippines. I dream of making my country proud. But, to be honest, I have an even bigger dream in vaulting medals,” he wrote.
This new facility is a game-changer for up-and-coming athletes like Hokett Delos Santos, the 20-year-old SEA Games silver medalist. Obiena understands the impact of having access to top-tier training spaces.
“What if he didn’t have access to the facility? We wouldn’t have won that medal,” he said, emphasizing just how crucial proper infrastructure is to unlocking potential and developing talent.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for November 22, and Obiena is flying in from his training in Italy to attend.
But he’s not just showing up for the event—he’s also organizing a pole vault clinic and seminar to kick off a larger, ongoing effort to elevate the sport in the area.
He’s dedicated to empowering and nurturing the next generation of athletes, making sure that pole vaulting in the Philippines doesn’t just endure—but flourishes.