Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan awarded a P500,000 cash incentive to Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena for his 'remarkable achievement' and for representing the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The cash incentive was given at the Manila City Hall yesterday, August 14.
Mayor Lacuna conveyed her sincere thanks and warmest wishes to Obiena, highlighting how deeply the City of Manila appreciates his impact on Philippine sports.
"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," Lacuna said.
Obiena is a Manileño from Tondo and an alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
"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," said Lacuna.
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Manila recognized Obiena for his improved performance. The World No. 2 achieved 4th place with a 5.90m clearance in this year's summer Olympics from an 11th place finish with a 5.70m in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Mayor Lacuna also commended Obiena for his exemplary sportsmanship, especially for recognizing the new world and Olympic records established by Sweden’s Armand Duplantis during the competition.
"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," the Mayor mentioned.
"Isa kang Bayaning Manileño, EJ. Mahal ka namin dito sa Magnificent Manila," she added.
