Obiena finally spends Christmas with family

EJ Obiena Finally Spends Christmas with Family A Break from Athletics to Cherish Love and Memories

As a professional athlete, Ernest John EJ Obiena has spent most of his adult life abroad, chasing his dreams in Italy. For eight long years, he missed out on precious moments with his family, including the festive season of Christmas. However, this year, fate smiled upon him, and he got to spend the holiday with his loved ones.

A Long-Awaited Reunion

Obiena's social media pages were filled with joy and gratitude as he shared a heartwarming selfie with his father Emerson, mother Jeanette, and sister Emily – all of whom have athletic backgrounds. His caption read After 8 years of celebrating Christmas away from home, I finally got to spend it with my family. The Obiena family is indeed a sports-loving clan; Emerson coaches the national athletics team, Jeanette was a former hurdler, and Emily is also a pole vaulter.

A Merry Christmas at the Track

The Obienas' holiday tradition has remained unchanged despite their years of absence. They still spend Christmas at the track, surrounded by the sights and sounds of athletic competition. EJ's social media post read Merry Christmas to everyone, from my family to yours. Some things never change – we still spend it at the track.

A Year of Success and Challenges

EJ Obiena has had a rollercoaster year in athletics. He recently completed a 4-peat at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, setting a new meet record with a clearance of 5.7m. This achievement came after a tough 2025 where he struggled to find his form and missed the podium more often than not.

Looking Ahead to 2026

EJ is now gearing up for the 2026 season, determined to bounce back from his struggles and reclaim his position as one of the top pole vaulters in Asia. He aims to return to his dominant form, which saw him set an Asian record clearance of 6.0m in June 2023.

A Well-Deserved Break

Despite his busy schedule, EJ took time off to cherish the holiday with his family. This break will undoubtedly help him recharge and come back stronger than ever. As athletes, we often put our bodies and minds under immense pressure. It's essential to take a step back, relax, and focus on what truly matters – love, family, and memories.

Conclusion

EJ Obiena's Christmas celebration with his family is a testament to the importance of balance in life. Even for professional athletes like him, it's crucial to prioritize their personal relationships and well-being. As we look ahead to 2026, let's wish EJ all the best as he prepares to take on new challenges and make more unforgettable memories in the world of athletics.

Key Takeaways

The importance of family and relationships in an athlete's life
The need for balance between athletic pursuits and personal well-being
The significance of tradition and heritage in shaping one's identity

Relevant Keywords* Ernest John EJ Obiena, Filipino Olympic pole vaulter, Christmas celebration, family, athletics, sports, personal growth.

I made the following changes

1. Toned down the language to make it more polished and professional.
2. Improved sentence structure and grammar for better readability.
3. Added transitions to connect ideas between paragraphs.
4. Emphasized key points with subheadings (e.g., A Long-Awaited Reunion, etc.).
5. Changed the tone to be more celebratory and joyful, while still maintaining a professional tone.

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Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.