Under the city lights of Manila, the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge turned streets into a stage where local vaulters finally soared into the spotlight they had long chased.
Last week, the streets became a runway, and for once, Philippine pole vaulters weren’t the side act—they were the show.
For athletes long accustomed to finishing meets in near silence, often leaping when the crowds had already thinned, the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge flipped their world upside down.
[ALSO READ: Nine Philippine athletes to see action at National Pole Vault Competition]
The cheers came thick, the spotlight was theirs, and the long wait for recognition finally broke open.
“Na-feel namin na kami ‘yong main event,” said Filipina pole vaulter Jessa Marie Libres.
“Kami ‘yong mismong hinahantay ng mga tao, chini-cheer, kaya mas na-feel namin na parang mas okay din ‘yong mga ganitong event po in the future.”
Mejen Sumbongan felt the same shift, describing the thrill of finally competing before a crowd.
“Nakakakaba po siya na nakakatuwa. First time ko rin pong maglaro ng street pole vaulting kasi palagi po kaming naglalaro, nasa oval, tapos kami ‘yong huling natatapos sa event kaya wala na talagang nanonood.”
[ALSO READ: EJ Obiena says Filipino pole vaulters need more exposure to become world-class talents]
A stage for the overlooked
The spectacle wasn’t just about world-class imports or Olympic names—it was about proving that pole vaulting could hold its own under the lights of Manila.
“It’s great for the Filipinos kasi it’s not just running, it’s not just ‘yong mga ibang sports,” said SEA Games champion Kaye Burgos.
“It gives a chance to other smaller sports na hindi pa nare-recognize sa Philippines. It gives Filipino people a chance to try different sports.”
Obiena and his team recently set up a pole vault facility at Marcos Stadium in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, showing their drive to nurture young athletes and expand the sport’s reach nationwide.
[ALSO READ: EJ Obiena sets the bar high with inaugural pole vaulting facility in Ilocos Norte]
Opening doors for women
For Ayala Nicolas, what mattered most wasn’t the height she cleared but the chance the event represented.
“It’s such an honor and I wish that people, especially women and girls, would try it more,” she said. “We’re making progress towards having more access to pole vaulting, especially because of EJ Obiena and events such as this. I think we’re going in the right direction.”
[RELATED: Vaulting into recognition: Alyana Nicolas, Jia Kawachi push pole vault forward in the Philippines]
Obiena’s vision
At the heart of it all is two-time Olympian EJ Obiena, the man whose rise has sparked fresh interest in the sport and whose dream is to ensure the runway stays open for the next generation.
“The plan is to have this every year,” Obiena said.
“Keep inviting the world-class pole vaulters in the country and showcase the hospitality that Filipinos have and to deliver a much professional level of competition.”
The moment they waited for
What last week proved is that pole vaulting can be more than a quiet, overlooked event.
It can bring strangers to their feet, electrify city streets, and, most importantly, give local athletes the validation they’ve long chased.
For Libres, Sumbongan, Burgos, Nicolas, and many others, it wasn’t just about clearing the bar.
It was about finally being seen—front and center, no longer the last ones left in the oval.
[RELATED: EJ Obiena hopes home events like Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge can become annual]
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Inna Mina is a sportswriter with a passion for telling stories that go beyond the scoreboard.
She covers running, athletics, and other major Philippine sporting events, while also following grassroots sports, athlete journeys, and women in sports. Her work also includes lifestyle stories on health, fitness, and community.