Filipinos definitely needed a win this week, especially with everything happening in and out of Philippine politics, and the ever-rising number of new COVID-19 cases. Fortunately, our athletes and actors came to satisfy with flying colors, making history in their respective fields and industries. Specifically, we owe the weekend’s good vibes to EJ Obiena and John Arcilla for bringing home record-breaking titles and international prestige, and waving the Pinoy pride flag high up for all the world—plus, all Filipinos—to see and celebrate during these dark times.
Both of their wins happened on September 12, Sunday, opening up the day with amazing news we could only hope the rest of the week will have more of.
First off, pole vaulter EJ Obiena won big at the Golden Roof Challenge in Austria on Sunday, clearing 5.80m and securing gold from the competition. While he already bagged the coveted first place, he attempted to take it one step further by trying to break the Asian record for highest pole vault mark, previously held by Kazakhstan’s Igor Potapovich since 1998 at 5.92m. This is beyond Obiena’s personal best, as well as the Philippine record, at 5.91m.
Although he committed fouls on his first two attempts, the 25-year old persevered with the audience’s passionate chanting behind him. Then on his third and final attempt, he cleared the 5.93m with a roar, and successfully made history. Not just for the Philippines, but for all of Asia.
The same time Filipinos were celebrating his record-breaking achievement online, news also broke out about another massive win for the Philippines. This came in the form of John Arcilla nabbing the Best Actor title at the Venice Film Festival for Erik Matti film “On the Job: The Missing 8”, the sequel to the critically-acclaimed film “On The Job”.
He is now the first Filipino actor to win a Volpi Cup for acting, besting Benedict Cumberbatch and getting the seal of approval from Oscar-winning and critically-acclaimed director of “Parasite”, Bong Joon-ho, this year’s jury president.
On Sunday, social media was filled with positive remarks from Filipinos celebrating Obiena and Arcilla. Many commented on them being some of the only uplifting news we’ve gotten in a long while, perhaps since Hidilyn Diaz’s historic first Gold Olympic medal for the Philippines back in August. Understandably, Filipinos are elated to have something worth celebrating for these days.
These wins are truly monumental, and they couldn’t have come at a better time as the general atmosphere among Filipinos over the past few days have been nothing but angry, afraid, and disappointed. And rightly so, in light of current events and news. But although these record-breaking and history-making feats won’t push all the bad news away, we welcome them nonetheless as we enjoy these temporary reprieves.
Hopefully, this week will bear even more good news for us as a country in the form of lower numbers for new COVID-19 cases, corruption cases getting resolved, and justice for all the crimes afflicted against the Filipino people since this pandemic began.
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