Filipino Olympian pole vaulter EJ Obiena embarks on his mission by launching the first of three pole vault pits in Laoag, providing aspiring athletes the opportunity to discover the sport and chase their dreams.
Our nation’s hero is raising the bar higher than ever.
Filipino Olympian pole vaulter EJ Obiena is soaring to new heights, setting the standard for excellence as he embarks on a monumental journey for the future of sports in the Philippines.
With the launch of the first of three pole vault pits in Laoag, Obiena is paving the way for young, aspiring athletes to follow their dreams and unlock their full potential.
In November, Obiena shared a dream that was on the verge of becoming reality: the construction of a world-class pole vault facility in the Philippines.
“One of my biggest dreams is coming true!!!” he wrote when announcing the opening of the state-of-the-art pole vault venue at the newly constructed Marcos Stadium in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
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Obiena’s vision took a giant step forward in his recent Instagram post, where he proudly revealed that the pole vault pit set up in Laoag last November hosted its first-ever pole vault clinic and coaches’ seminar.
“It’s admittedly early, but a great journey always begins with the first steps!” he shared, inspiring others to take that first leap.
Held from December 6 to 9, the clinic, led by World Athletics Certified coaches, in partnership with the city of Laoag and sponsored by Milo, introduced 27 new male and female athletes to the world of pole vaulting.
These young athletes are now starting their own journeys, and through this initiative, Obiena is helping to create a sustainable pipeline of homegrown Filipino pole vaulters.
“Local aspiring athletes were given the chance to spread their wings and try pole vaulting, kicking off the dream of having a sustainable pool of excellent homegrown Filipino pole vaulters, supported by 10 of their finest coaches who attended the coaching seminar. These coaches would be guiding their athletes to greater heights,” he added.
After the successful launch of the Laoag facility, Obiena is already setting his sights on the next milestone: a second state-of-the-art facility in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
“I won’t stop until we have built a sustainable system to keep the Philippines at the forefront of the pole vault world,” he declared with unwavering determination.
Obiena’s journey to build a pole vault pit hasn’t been easy, but it has been fueled by the Filipino spirit of bayanihan. He draws inspiration from the collective effort of the Filipino people, seeing a reflection of the Bayanihan culture in the construction of the pit.
“The most heartwarming sight, and possibly the most Filipino of all qualities, is the Bayanihan style of building the pit. The uncanny similarities between the bahay-kubo over the shoulders of people and the athletes lugging the pit is just a sight to see,” he shared, showcasing the power of unity and community.
At the heart of Obiena’s mission is the belief in self-sufficiency, giving every Filipino athlete the opportunity to explore the sport of pole vaulting.
As he wrote, “Self-sufficiency has always been central to this project’s concept. This provides an opportunity for more athletes from provinces and other parts of the Philippines to at least try the event. (We won’t have the next generation of athletes if they can’t even try the sport).”
With an unwavering faith in the limitless talent of every Filipino, Obiena is determined to unearth the next generation of champions from every corner of the country.
“I believe in the talent and greatness that reside in every Filipino in every corner of the Philippines. If my theory is right, we should see future champions raised and developed in our own backyard,” he said, echoing the pride of a nation that is rising together toward greatness.
Obiena’s journey is not just about pole vaulting—it’s about inspiring a nation and creating a legacy that will last for generations. Together, we are reaching for the stars as one united, unstoppable force.
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