Filipino pole vault icon EJ Obiena is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated athletes from the Philippines. His rise to fame has placed the country on the map for pole vaulting, a sport that was relatively unknown in the country before his emergence.
With his remarkable achievements, including becoming the former world number two, Obiena has continued to break barriers and elevate the sport in the Philippines.
However, despite his success, Obiena has recently found himself in the middle of a public discourse that he never intended to be a part of. This stems from the constant comparisons between him and another Filipino sporting icon, Carlos Yulo, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics. The two athletes, though excelling in different fields, are often pitted against each other by netizens and media outlets who thrive on creating rivalries.
Obiena, for his part, is unhappy with these comparisons and has openly expressed his frustration with how the private and family lives of both athletes are being dragged into public view. He took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his displeasure, lamenting the “sad state” of affairs in modern journalism and reiterating that he does not compete with Yulo.
In fact, he emphasized that he is immensely proud of Yulo’s accomplishments, particularly his historic achievements during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
EJ Obiena has become a household name in the world of athletics, particularly in the pole vaulting scene. His journey to success has been nothing short of remarkable, having overcome several obstacles to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
His achievements include a gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games, a bronze medal at the World Athletics Championships, and being ranked second in the world in 2023. Obiena’s dedication to his craft has made him a source of pride for many Filipinos, and his story is one of perseverance and hard work.
Despite his success, Obiena has remained humble and grounded. He has consistently avoided controversies and focused on his goals, letting his performances speak for themselves. However, the comparisons with Carlos Yulo, another Filipino athlete who has brought glory to the country, have become a source of frustration for him.
The 28-year-old pole vaulter took to social media to address the growing trend of comparing him with Carlos Yulo. In his post, Obiena expressed his dismay at how journalism and social media have sensationalized their personal lives to create narratives that generate clicks and engagement.
“I have hoped and tried to stay silent and not fuel anymore of the misleading stories. It’s a sad state of affairs when stories are fabricated to get clicks and likes and shares. Journalism is a noble profession driven by facts. It’s a shame it is sometimes abused,” Obiena wrote in his post on X.
I have hoped and tried to stay silent and not fuel anymore of the misleading stories. It’s a sad state of affairs when stories are fabricated to get clicks and likes and shares. pic.twitter.com/plNIdHXzDS
— EJ Obiena (@ejobienapv) October 9, 2024
Obiena’s frustration is understandable. In an era where online platforms reward sensationalism, it’s easy for the media and fans to pit two high-achieving athletes against each other. However, Obiena made it clear that he does not see Carlos Yulo as a rival. In fact, he holds Yulo in high regard and respects him not just as a fellow athlete but as a friend.
“I don’t compete with my friend Caloy and I deeply respect him. He is a great champion for our country, and I applaud him. I am proud of him. I am thankful for the glory he has brought to our country,” he added.
In his post, Obiena also touched on the importance of respecting one’s privacy, especially when it comes to their personal and family life. The pole vaulter expressed disappointment over how Yulo’s private life had become a topic of discussion in the media. He pointed out that everyone deserves to keep their personal matters away from the public eye, and it’s not anyone’s business to speculate or comment on them.
“I don’t comment on my private life and I certainly don’t want outsiders commenting on it. That’s why it’s called ‘Private life.’ It’s personal. It’s nobody else’s business. Because I embrace these values, I never comment on someone else’s personal life. I have never made a single comment regarding Caloy’s private life, and I never shall. Any assertion otherwise is outright libel. I know when to keep my mouth shut; and when it comes to anyone’s private life, this is one of those times,” Obiena added.
The pole vaulter’s stance is a reminder that athletes, despite their public personas, are entitled to their privacy. Their personal lives should not be subject to public scrutiny, especially when it does not concern their professional careers.
Carlos Yulo, like Obiena, is one of the Philippines’ most decorated athletes. The gymnast has brought home numerous medals from international competitions, including two gold medals from the Olympics. However, Yulo’s personal life has been the subject of public attention, particularly issues involving his family and his girlfriend, Chloe San Jose, a TikTok content creator.
Yulo’s mother, Angelica Poquiz-Yulo, has been at the center of the controversy, with allegations of financial mismanagement and reported disagreements with her son’s girlfriend. These issues have played out in the public eye, with netizens and media outlets picking apart every detail of Yulo’s personal life.
Obiena, in his post, highlighted how unfair it is to make these personal matters a topic of public discourse, especially when they have nothing to do with an athlete’s performance or achievements. He urged people to focus on Yulo’s accomplishments rather than his personal life.
Both EJ Obiena and Carlos Yulo are athletes who have worked tirelessly to represent the Philippines on the world stage. Their achievements have brought pride to the country, and their dedication to their respective sports should be celebrated. However, as Obiena pointed out, the growing trend of sensationalizing athletes’ personal lives for clicks and engagement is a disservice to their hard work and sacrifices.
Obiena’s message is clear: athletes deserve respect for their achievements, not unwarranted criticism or unnecessary comparisons. While competition is part of sports, pitting athletes against each other in ways that undermine their accomplishments is not productive. Instead, we should celebrate the success of all Filipino athletes and appreciate the honor they bring to the country.
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