Obiena driven by desire to inspire, create positive change

MANILA, Philippines — Ace pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena aims to use his outstanding athletic exploits of the past year to inspire the next generation and create positive change.

“I see my role as a means to an end, a means to inspire the next generation of our youth, to illustrate the ability and talent of our country, and, of course, as a means of nation-building,” said Obiena via Zoom from Italy in accepting the Athlete of the Year Award during the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night Monday at the packed Diamond Hotel ballroom.

“Superficially, it’s me using a pole to lift over a bar, but underneath it is a very powerful means for me to drive positive change,” added the world No. 2 ranked pole vaulter during the star-studded event.

“For me, it suggests that I have been successful in my mission not in pole vaulting but in leveraging my craft for a better and stronger Philippines,” stressed Obiena, who apologized for not being personally present in accepting his award.

Seeking to add another milestone as the country celebrates a century of participation in the quadrennial sports spectacle in 2024, the athlete is deep in training in Formia, Italy in gearing for the Paris Olympics in July.

“Unfortunately I can’t be there physically because I am here to represent my country and I shall do for my country my very best (in the Olympics),” he said during the event presented by ArenaPlus, the leading sports entertainment gateway in the country, and the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Milo, PLDT/Smart and Cignal as major sponsors.

Accepting the award on the athlete’s behalf were his parents, national coach Emerson and spouse Jennet Obiena, in the presence of the country’s top sports officials, among them Philippine Olympic Committee president and Tagaytay Mayor Bambol Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann, along with PSA president Nelson Beltran.

Businessman and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan also echoed some of the sentiments Obiena expressed in accepting the PSA Co-Executive of the Year Award with San Miguel honcho Ramon Ang.