It wasn’t just a one-man show for the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) this year although world No. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena was by far the shiningest Filipino star in the fold. Obiena led PATAFA’s charge to strike gold at the SEA and Asian Games, claim silver at the World Athletics Championships with his second career 6.00 jump and top the Asian Athletics Championships with a meet record of 5.91, way over second placer Hussain Asim Al-Hizam’s 5.56.
In the Cambodia SEA Games last May, PATAFA bagged four golds, 10 silvers and eight bronzes to capture high honors among 33 NSAs that brought home medals. Obiena, long jumper Janry Ubas, 400m hurdler Eric Cray and the 4x400 men’s relay team of Mico del Prado, Frederick Ramirez, Joyme Sequita and Umajesty Williams hit paydirt. The four golds tied the mark of boxing, gymnastics and obstacle course but were two short of arnis and taekwondo. But PATAFA’s harvest of 22 medals was the richest.
In the Bangkok Asian Athletics Championships last July, the 21-strong Philippine contingent qualified in 17 finals of 22 events and set four national records, five season bests, one personal best and one meet mark. Obiena and 400m hurdler Robyn Brown bagged golds with 110m hurdler John Tolentino and 200m runner Kristina Knott finishing a slot away from a medal.
PATAFA qualified three athletes to the World Championships in Budapest last August. Obiena took the silver in pole vault while 400m hurdlers Cray and Brown failed to make it out of their heats. In the Hangzhou Asian Games last September, Obiena was one of four gold medalists to wear the national colors. The Philippines hauled in four golds, two silvers and 12 bronzes from 11 sports. Joining Obiena on the main podium were Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez of ju-jitsu and the men’s basketball team.
PATAFA president Terry Capistrano said the Board of Trustees gave its full support to the athletes, a big reason why they overachieved. The Board is made up of chairman Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Capistrano, vice president Dr. Willie Torres, treasurer Engineer Noel Silva (on indefinite leave) auditor Elmer Ngo, chairman emeritus Popoy Juico, Dr. Benjamin Espiritu, Datu Yuosph Mama, Felix Tiukinhoy Jr. (on indefinite leave), Rommel Sytin, Atty. Melinda Diaz-Salcedo, Atty. Roberto Uy, Mayor Jose Marie Diaz, Mike Marcos, Christian Gonzalez, Engineer Ralph Waldy Soguilon and honorary life president Go Teng Kok. Appointed officers were secretary-general Edward Kho and corporate secretary/legal counsel Atty. Aldrin Cabiles.
A major contributor to PATAFA’s efforts is Board trustee Gonzalez, executive vice president, chief compliance officer and chief sustainability officer of ICTSI. He’s the global corporate head of ICTSI Group and in charge of managing port terminals all over the globe. A sportsman himself, Gonzalez has unflinchingly backed up PATAFA and generously provided resources to fuel the resurgence of Philippine athletics in Asia and the world.