MANILA MAYOR AWARDS P500,000 CASH INCENTIVE TO OLYMPIAN POLE VAULTER EJ OBIENA

MANILA Mayor Dr. Honey Lacuna-Pangan on Wednesday afternoon awarded P500,000 in cash incentives to Olympian pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena held at the Mayor’s Office.

The incentive expresses the sincerest appreciation from the City of Manila and honors Obiena’s remarkable achievements in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Obiena, a proud Manileño from Tondo and a fellow University of Santo Tomas (UST) alumnus like Mayor Lacuna-Pangan, achieved a career-best 4th place finish in the men’s pole vault event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, clearing a height of 5.90 meters.

This marked a significant improvement from his 11th place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

“We congratulate Ernest John Obiena on his best Olympics finish so far in his still young athletics career. The 4th place finish was his best effort at that high-pressure moment,” said the Manila mayor.

“Our Manileño pole vaulter from Tondo and fellow Thomasian is proudly and joyfully welcomed in the country’s capital now that he is back home with his family, friends, and neighbors,” she added.

Mayor Lacuna-Pangan also praised Obiena for his sportsmanship, particularly in acknowledging the new world and Olympic records set by Sweden’s Armand Duplantis during the event.

“EJ Obiena gave us and the world a thrilling performance as he cleared bar after raised bar. It was not meant to be now. But our hearts were filled with pride for the sportsmanship EJ showed as he applauded, along with the tens of thousands in the stadium, Sweden’s Armand Duplantis’ new world record and new Olympic record of 6.25 meters,” she remarked.

Before his departure for another international trip, the Manila mayor extended her heartfelt gratitude and best wishes to Obiena, expressing how much the City of Manila values his contributions to Philippine sports.

“Isa kang bayaning Manileño, EJ. Mahal ka namin dito sa Magnificent Manila,” the mayor added.