By: Nicole Parallag
CAPAS, Tarlac – The name “Obiena” carries undeniable weight in Philippine athletics.
The moment it’s mentioned, one immediately thinks of pole vaulting — of EJ Obiena, an Olympian and inspiration to countless young athletes.
His natural talent and relentless drive took root at the University of Santo Tomas, the same institution where his father, Emerson Obiena, a 1993 SEA Games medalist, now coaches the High School Boys’ team.
Now, in the UAAP Season 88 Athletics Championships at the New Clark City Sports Hub here, another Obiena is ready to make his mark on the runway.
Matt Obiena, making his debut in the Men’s Pole Vault on November 6, finished a strong fourth with a height of 4.20. He narrowly missed the podium after a countback against UST’s Sean Narag.
When Matt decided to move from the NCAA to the UAAP, he wasn’t just changing schools — he was stepping into a league known for its fierce rivalries and deep athletic talent. Coming off a gold-medal finish for Colegio de San Juan de Letran in NCAA Season 100, Matt was eager to soar higher and test himself on a bigger stage.
“I guess one, the territory itself,” explained Obiena, as his 4.10 leap in the NCAA last year would have also been behind eventual champion Hokkett Delos Santos (4.50m) and Mejen Sumbongan (4.30m).
“New territory, meaning the level of competition in the UAAP, in terms of pole vault, is much higher than the NCAA. So, it was a good motivation for me to jump higher than before.”
Two schools came into the picture: UST and De La Salle University, each representing a significant part of his family’s story.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UST was the home of his cousin EJ and his uncle Emerson, who once guided him as a mentor.
On the other hand, La Salle was where his father, Edward, served as one of the head coaches, and where his brother Francis once competed.
“I actually asked my uncle about UST,” Matt recalls. “But when I reached out, the spot was already filled with three other pole vaulters.”
With that, the choice became clear. He joined La Salle.
“It just made sense,” he says. “I had to take a different path, one that made me grow on my own terms.”
In a family of high-flyers, Matt learned early that carrying the Obiena name could feel like both an honor and a weight.
“I have my own path,” he said. “The journey I’m taking is different from what they did. To be honest, their skill levels and the way they started were way different from how I started.
“I was a bit chubbier back then. I’d get tired easily. But I worked on it, little by little.”
That persistence has paid off. From a late bloomer to a determined competitor, Matt has steadily built himself into a vaulter capable of standing toe-to-toe with the UAAP’s best.
“It wasn’t easy,” he admits. “But I’m glad I finished the season with a personal best—and no injuries.
“I’m really motivated to keep training because of this result. By next season, I’ll bounce back. I’ll jump higher.”
