Obiena pitches help in relief campaign

MANILA, Philippines — Olympic-bound pole vaulter EJ Obiena has launched his own drive to pitch help in the relief campaign during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Although faraway in Italy, the 24-year-old rising star, in partnership with The Project For, is selling customized shirts online for the benefit of indigents hardest hit by these challenging times.

Life quotes and experiences of Obiena himself are printed in the series of shirts that will be made available on The Project For website.

“To everyone who have followed and supported me. I am knocking on your humble hearts not for me this time but for the greater masses of the people who are greatly in need,” said Obiena.

Epitomizing his journey to the top following a horror injury years back, Obiena’s first design portrayed the athletes’ must-win fight against adversity, saying “Gravity is just another hurdle to conquer,” with his historic Olympic-clinching leap image last year.

Obiena was the first Filipino to book a ticket to the postponed Summer Games after setting a national record of 5.81 meters in a qualifying competition in Chiara, Italy in September.

He then followed it up with a record-breaking, gold-medal winning SEAG effort.