FOR pole vault star Ernest John Obiena, his achievements in sports are not merely for personal glory, he hopes to make them inspire the next generation of athletes and, in a larger sense, also create positive change in the country.
"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 in accepting the Athlete of the Year Award during the San Miguel Corporation-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night on Monday at the Diamond Hotel ballroom.
EJ hopes to drive positive change
"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," said Obiena who is ranked World No. 2 in pole vault.
"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," Obiena said.
The FIlipino track star, however, was in Formia, Italy and missed the event saying via zoom that he could not return home as he is in deep training for the Paris Olympics.
“Unfortunately I can't be there physically because I am here to represent my country and I shall do my country my very best (in the Olympics)," he said.
Accepting the award on the athlete's behalf were his parents, national coach Emerson and Jennet Obiena.
MVP: We are world class
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.
"When we hear all these triumphs in sports, we can truly believe that we are world class," noted MVP in his acceptance speech.
"We support sports because of its unifying power, whose roots can only be deeply spiritual because sports celebrates values such as fair play, discipline, hard work to be magnanimous in victory and humble in defeat," Pangilinan pointed out.
The annual affair, which honors the best and brightest Filipino athletes of the past year, was graced by Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann. PSA president Nelson Beltran and the PSA members welcomed all the athletes and guests.
ArenaPlus, the leading sports entertainment gateway in the country, the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, PLDT/Smart, and Cignal were the major sponsors. Also backing the event were the Philippine Basketball Association, Premier Volleyball League, Rain or Shine, and 1-Pacman partylist Rep. Mikee Romero.
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