PH Embassy in Italy Recognizes Filipino Athlete Ernest John "EJ" Obiena for Achievements in Pole Vaulting

Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial awards Certificate of Commendation to EJ Obiena  (photo from Rome PE)

ROME 21 September 2023 - Filipino champion pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena  visited the Philippine Embassy in Rome, Italy on 13 September 2023 to receive a  commendation from the Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial.

During the call, The Philippine Ambassador congratulated Obiena for being the second highest ranked pole vaulter in the world (as of September 2023) and making it to the list of the elite circle of pole vaulters who have cleared six meters. Proudly wearing his silver medal from the World Athletics Championship, Obiena was also lauded for his impressive achievements and dedication to his craft, and how his determination and ability to rise above hardships and challenges serve as an inspiration to the second and third generation of Filipinos and Filipino-Italian youth in Italy. “You can now count yourself alongside the greatest Filipino athletes of all time," said Ambassador Imperial.

After the call, he was given a roaring welcome by the embassy’s officers and staff at its social hall, and was awarded with a certificate of commendation.

This year alone, Obiena has won several awards in various European competitions, including the Silver medal at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary on 26 August 2023.  Obiena was also able to successfully reset the Philippine and Asian pole vault records after clearing six meters in the Sparebanken Vest Bergen Jump Challenge at the Skansemyren Idrettspark in Bergen, Norway, where he eclipsed his previous best of 5.94 meters which was set during the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon last year.

The Philippine ambassador thanked Obiena for bringing pride to the country and recognized his extraordinary achievements in the field of pole vaulting, and assured him of the embassy’s full support in the upcoming Asian Games, where he is record holder, and the 2024 Paris Olympics, to which he has qualified.  END

The officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Rome with EJ Obiena  (photo from Rome PE)

For more information, visit https://www.romepe.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinItaly/  or https://twitter.com/PHinItaly.