Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena teaches pole vaulting to 15-year-old high jumper Jade Baltazar during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Marcos Stadium in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.–MARK GIONGCO/INQUIRER.net

LAOAG CITY–With EJ Obiena’s careful guidance, Jade Baltazar pierced the pole into the vault box and launched himself into the pit.

Obiena, the two-time Olympian, on Friday formally unveiled his “dream” pole vault facility he helped build during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Marcos Stadium here.

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Baltazar, a Grade 10 high jumper at Sta. Rosa National High School in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, had never tried pole vaulting before and he was among the first to experience the equipment.

READ: EJ Obiena’s ‘dream’ pole vaulting facility set to open in Laoag

EJ Obiena guides Jade Baltazar, a 15-year-old high jumper at Sta. Rosa National High School in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, in his first crack at pole vaulting. | @MarkGiongcoINQ pic.twitter.com/YHlpI25knD

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) November 22, 2024

“I only see videos of him (Obiena) on Instagram and it made me want to try pole vault,” the 15-year-old Baltazar said in Filipino. “Now that we have our own facility here, I’m even more interested in pole vaulting.”

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“I got into athletics in elementary in hopes of someday helping my family. I want my family to be happy. I also dream of making the national team and win medals.”

Obiena sees the same vision.

“The main reason for this is for development and really to make sure we gain global success in the sport,” said Obiena, who narrowly missed a medal at the Paris Olympics earlier this year.

“Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, teach him how to fish you feed him for a lifetime. I think that proverb emphasizes the self-sustainability and the empowerment of education, grooming the next generation and having a city such as this to be able to continuously produce champions not just in pole vault but hopefully in other sports.”

The 29-year-old Obiena, who returns to competition in late January next year after his 2024 season was cut short due to a spinal injury, said the facility is just the first of many to come in his goal to cultivate the younger generation of athletes.

READ: EJ Obiena gets clearance after spinal injury, eyes January return

EJ Obiena inspiring the youth on and off the track. | @MarkGiongcoINQ pic.twitter.com/gTmjFvLVPu

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) November 22, 2024

“This is basically my way of doing it, kickstarting it and hopefully I teach you guys how to fish medals not just in Palarong Pambansa but hopefully in Southeast Asian Games and hopefully, globally, we’ll get athletes from Ilocos to represent the country with pride and honor,” he said.

“This is only the beginning. Mark my words, I’m devoted in this. I really wanna see the sport grow and not die when I want to decide to retire.”

Obiena, who arrived in the Sunshine City of the North early Friday morning, was joined by Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotic in the inauguration made open to the public.

“We do not have many athletes like EJ. Well-traveled, exposed, enlightened and is really willing to speak his mind on many important issues and to be a champion not just on the track but also to be a champion for sports development and our youth and the opportunities that they should have and what changes should be made to make sure that they have every opportunity possible,” said Manotoc, who targets a late April opening for next year’s Palarong Pambansa which will be staged in Ilocos Norte.

Obiena, who holds the Asian pole vault record at 6m, also made time to sign autographs and pose for pictures with kids and aspiring athletes.