For Mother’s Day, Jeanette Obiena, mother of Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena, takes a trip down memory lane and recalls the times she’s helped her son push forward towards success with a seemingly simple ‘yes.’
Saying ‘Yes’ to Sports Values
As an athlete herself, Jeanette is no stranger to the powerful values that one can acquire through sports. As a mom, she knew she wanted her kids to be imbued with the same morals and standards, believing that they can help them both on and off the field. “Sports really helped mold who I am now as a person, which is why I believed that it should also be a part of EJ’s upbringing,” Obiena shares. “Sports help you develop moral values like respect, fairness, and commitment. It also helps promote personal growth and development, fosters resilience, and teaches you the importance of collaboration, communication, and relying on others.”
Jeanette knew that the best way she could help her kids succeed in life was by allowing them to get into sports early, so when asked permission to start exploring different fields, her immediate response was ‘yes.’
Further emphasizing her point, Jeanette mentions how she deeply believes in the ability of sports to better not just kids, but parents, and the society. Physically, starting them young will help kids develop agility, coordination, and balance. But more than that, it will instill invaluable lessons that will make them become good human beings and assets of the society; values like discipline, grit, and teamwork.
This is why it’s important to take advantage of grassroots sports programs like the MILO Sports Clinic, which makes it easier for kids from all over the country to have access to competent and credible coaches.
Saying ‘Yes’ to Pushing Beyond Adversities
As with any athlete, EJ’s journey is one that’s without various challenges and setbacks, most of which were fought before his rise to fame. “When EJ was just starting out, he would try different sports including 110 meters hurdles. He wasn’t as tall back then so the height of the hurdle reaches to his chest. This became a major issue. During the competition, instead of jumping over the hurdle, what he did was he went under,” Obiena shares with a laugh. “Despite this, he did not give up. Of course, I supported him. He trained harder and promised to return, and by the time that he did, he was able to register a new record for 100 meters hurdles in the UAAP.”
Fans of EJ would know that Jeanette was instrumental in his pole vaulting journey. More than the financial support and working tirelessly to find various opportunities for EJ to continue in sports, she was always there, ready to play the role of a coach or a mother–whatever the situation required. After placing fourth in the Paris Olympics in 2024, Jeanette was quoted saying to her son, “Pick up the pieces, learn from them and move on.” And while it’s easy for others to mistake these words as that of a sports coach, every mother who would know that these were spoken by a mom who simply wants to see her kid overcome whatever challenge they are facing.
When asked about the one thing Jeanette wishes to impart to other moms, she says, “Similar to how we always looked to our moms for support when we were younger, they will look for your support in life. Be present and be ready to support your kids and their dreams. Say yes to opportunities that will take them closer not only to their goal but to becoming the person you always wished them to be. And to all young athletes and coaches, just keep going. Your day will come.”
Fuel your child’s potential and kickstart their champion journey with the grassroots programs of MILO. Whether on the field, the court, or the track, every game is a chance to grow. Encourage your child to take that first step – because great things start from small beginnings.
