Ernest John “EJ” Obiena will be the Philippines’ flag-bearer in the traditional parade of nations when the 31st Southeast Asian Games opens on May 12 at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi.
No less than Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, fully supported Obiena. She said that her fellow Tokyo Olympian pole vaulter is the “story of every Filipino athlete who fights to bring home pride and glory to the country.”
“I’m very happy to see EJ as our flag bearer for Team Philippines,” Diaz said.
Diaz will also defend her weightlifting gold medal after the games were postponed last year.
“I’m happy for him and the rest of the Philippine delegation. I will support him,” the 31-year-old said.
Diaz and Obiena could have held the country’s colors together in the parade of nations. However, the SEA Games allows only one athlete for the honor.
“There could only be one flag-bearer for each country. We nominated Hidilyn and EJ, but it was turned down,” Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said.
“Like Hidilyn, EJ has all the qualifications to be our flag bearer,” he added.
“It’s an honor,” Obiena said. “I was heading home after training here in Formia [Italy] when I received the message.”
As flag bearer, a big responsibility comes with the honor. But Obiena said he’s ready for the challenge.
“All I can do for now is to train harder and be better, and smarter,” the 26-year-old Obiena said. “I really want to defend my SEA Games title.”
The hosts programmed 40 sports with the Philippines competing in 39 of them.
“We are fielding a fighting team,” Tolentino said.
Team Philippines will fly to Vietnam in batches with the main bulk set to leave on May 10, two days before the opening ceremony. The Hanoi SEA Games wrap up on Mat 23. (PR) – bny
