National Artist Virgilio Almario, other celebs laud EJ Obiena’s 4th place finish

FILIPINO pole vaulter EJ Obiena might have fallen short of the medal podium at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but he did not fail to make his country proud of his achievement in the men’s pole vault finals.

The 28-year-old athlete hopeful placed fourth in the pole vault finals after clearing 5.50 to 5.90 meters with ease. However, he failed to breeze through the height of 5.95 meters after three attempts.

Despite missing the podium, the Filipino pole vaulter’s fourth-place finish is still a huge leap from his 11th rank in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. For that, Filipinos couldn’t be prouder of Obiena. 

Among those who celebrated his feat was National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, who wrote a poem dedicated to the millennial pole vaulter and other Filipino athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Titled “PASYON KAY EJ (At sa mga Atletang Pinoy sa Paris Olympics),” Almario thanked Obiena and other athletes who bowed out from the Olympic Games for giving their best efforts to represent the Philippines.

He highlighted how these Pinoy athletes did not give up despite the tough challenges and losses.

Written under Almario’s pen name Rio Alma, the poem read:

Salamat EJ Obiena

At sa lahat ng natálo.

Ang mahalaga’y ang laban

At punyaging ’pinakita

Ng Pinoy sa buong mundo.

Hindi baleng di ka bigyan

Ng pabuya at parada

Ng negosyante’t ng trapo.

Dibdib nami’y umaapaw

Ang ligayang ika’y bida.

Ni hindi mo isinuko

Ang bandila ng iyong bayan

Sa pangakong pagtangkilik;

Hindi ka rin pinayuko

Ng hirap at tampalasan.

Ang magwagi ng medalya’y

Karangalan ng nanálo.

Subalit amin ding dangal

Ang tulad mong ang bandera’y

Nakihamok hanggang dulo.

So far, the Philippines has earned three medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. All thanks to gymnast Carlos Yulo, who made history by winning two gold medals in a single Olympics, and boxer Aira Villegas, who clinched a bronze medal in her Olympic debut.

‘Heartbreaking’

The men’s pole vault finals ended with Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis claiming the bronze medal, USA’s Sam Kendricks with a silver medal, and Sweden’s Armand Duplantis with a gold medal. 

The 24-year-old Swedish pole vaulter also set a new record of 6.25 meters, breaking his own record of 6.24 meters in April.

Obiena, on the other hand, took some time to stand up and take his bow after his final attempt.

On social media, Obiena penned a heartfelt message to his countrymen for supporting and believing in him, but he admitted that his fourth-place finish was “painful to say the least.”

“In sports with three podium places, perhaps 4th is the harshest place to be. I am heartbroken that a single failure cost me and cost a nation I so deeply love—the podium,” he wrote.

Obiena apologized for the outcome of his performance. However, he assured that he would bounce back from this setback.

“Carlos Yulo has already made this an Olympics to remember and I salute him. I am sorry I didn’t join him on the podium but I will be back. ‘The good get up’ as they say. I have been knocked down. But I will get back up,” he added.

Many netizens, including celebrities, commented that there’s nothing to apologize for, stressing that Obiena still made his country proud when he jumped to the fourth place in the men’s pole vault finals.

“Felt every word. Yakap ng mahigpit, EJ. Totally understandable kung bakit ganyan ang nararamdaman mo. Ang mahalaga you gave your all. YOU DID GREAT! Chin up, EJ. Babawi tayo sa LA sa 2028. Dust yourself, get back up and try again,” said DJ ChaCha.

“Way to go, champ!” wrote Filipino singer-songwriter TJ Monterde.

Meanwhile, Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024 Ahtisa Manalo expressed support for the athlete and said, “We’re proud of you, EJ!”

The country’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, told Obiena that he did his “best” to represent the Philippines at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She also said she’s looking forward to his performance at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. 

Actress Isabelle Daza and content creator Nico Bolzico also lauded Obiena.

“Without you we wouldn’t have even been quality,” Daza commented, while Bolzico said, “This is a step my brother!”

Obiena holds the Asian record at 6.00 meters which he logged at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, taking home a silver medal.