Latest news with #EJ
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
‘My dad's still got it': EJ Obiena honors father's golden feat as he clinches Asian title
Emerson Obiena (left) is seen at the World Masters Games in Taipei, where he won gold. Screenshots from video posted by the Philippine Pole Vault Club and from GMA News Just days before pole vaulter EJ Obiena soared to another historic gold medal at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships, his father and lifelong inspiration, Emerson Obiena, struck gold himself, clearing 3.60 meters to win the men's 60+ pole vault event at the World Masters Games in Taipei. 'My dad's still got it. I'm still in awe, in a way. It's like I can't understand how this guy at the age of 61 now, yeah, turning 61, can still do what he does. And I don't know. I'm out of words with that,' EJ said, visibly moved. The younger Obiena, who began vaulting by mimicking his father as a child, was quick to honor the man who first introduced him to the sport.. 'Huge congratulations to him, you know, keeping his body in shape such a long time. It's incredible. It really is incredible,' he said. And then, as if inspired by his father's golden leap, EJ delivered a golden performance of his own. Despite battling a sore throat and unable to take any medication due to anti-doping rules, EJ Obiena soared to victory at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea. He cleared 5.77 meters in a dramatic jump-off against a top Chinese vaulter, securing his third consecutive Asian title after wins in 2019 and 2023. 'When you do the jump-off, that doesn't mean that you're gonna win,' he said. 'That means you could lose the gold as well, which we both already have. So, yeah, it's the toughest one out there and yeah, it's still good I'd say. I'm happy to retain it three consecutive times. And yeah, hopefully, it gets the ball rolling here in Europe.' Shortly after his win, EJ flew to Europe to prepare for a series of international competitions. But before South Korea, he spent valuable time training in the Philippines—something he hadn't done in years. 'Definitely having time with my family, having time with my grandmother, my mother, my family, my sister. It's definitely something that I'm more than grateful for to say the least. It's not something I've definitely been able to do for the past 10 years. Yeah, that's gonna be the highest.' EJ's return to form comes after a bittersweet showing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he reached the finals but missed out on a medal. Unknown to many at the time, he was nursing a back injury that limited his performance. 'What it really needed was time, which I didn't have before Olympics. Can't just end up resting six weeks before Olympics. So we did what we could definitely… no regrets there. But when it comes to healing, it really is this time—getting the bone to heal, make sure that it's all… how do you say… back in one piece literally.' Looking ahead, EJ and his team are eyeing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. But he's taking it one step, one vault, one competition at a time. 'So, if everything goes well, I'm healthy, I'm performing the way I should and I could, and I'm competitive with the global states… then definitely. But is it a guarantee? No. That's why I keep saying it's a day-to-day basis. It's a, you know, I'll take it one competition at a time.' He knows the challenge ahead is steep—especially with the possibility of facing world number one Mondo Duplantis again. But for EJ, the dream remains alive. 'But the good thing about it is you push yourself to the best of your abilities. And with that, I'm with everyone. I hope that the time would come where I could win. And I just don't know when that would be. I don't even know if that's like a certainty. That's something that, you know, I definitely aim for. That's something that we strive. That's something that, you know, we still consider a reality.' While in the Philippines, EJ also spent time at the EJ Obiena Pole Vault Facility in Ilocos, which recently hosted the pole vault event at the Palarong Pambansa. For the first time, the national games included a women's pole vault category—something EJ is especially proud of. 'And I think that's a big step, that's a huge step for Philippine sport because that means we're going to have high schoolers, women, that will be training for pole vault. Therefore, we would have now athletes coming in to universities that have already a background in pole vault.' From a young boy copying his father's vaults to becoming Asia's pole vault king, EJ Obiena's journey is a story of legacy, resilience, and heart. And with every leap, he continues to inspire a nation—one vault at a time. — BM, GMA Integrated News
Pink Villa
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Days of Our Lives May 30 Episode Recap: Will returns, John Wakes Up As Will Comes Back and DiMeras Go Wild
Friday's episode of Days of Our Lives brought emotional reunions and intense drama as John Black started to awaken and the DiMera family dealt with explosive secrets. John's situation improved when he regained consciousness in the hospital. Marlena, Paul, and Will were with him, touched by his first words and a silent declaration of his love for his family. Paul, filled with guilt, got reassuring comfort from Marlena before John softly uttered "Doc," eliciting an emotional moment from everyone there. Will's return to Salem was timed to perfection. He reunited with Paul and Marlena and had a heart-to-heart with Johnny, who continues to be torn between the shooting of EJ and his own involvement in the family drama. Will attempted to reassure him, but the sense of guilt and unanswered truths hung in the air. EJ DiMera's dangerous deal Outside the hospital doors, EJ DiMera found himself in the middle of a perilous negotiation. Kristen informed him that Rachel had witnessed Johnny holding a gun on the night EJ was ambushed. While no concrete evidence was put forth, Kristen employed the child's memory in service of her own agenda. Kristen insisted that EJ deliver her mother as payment for her silence regarding Johnny. Confronted with making the hard decision, EJ accepted the deal under the stipulation that Rachel never return to Salem. The tense sibling ceasefire has potential long-term ramifications for the DiMera legacy. Through the turmoil, Paul posted a positive note about his own life. During a lighter exchange, he revealed that he plans to wed Andrew in Salem as soon as John is completely recovered. Brady suggested Eric perform the ceremony, injecting a welcome trace of positivity into a fraught week. With family ties stretched to the breaking point and secrets waiting to explode, catch Days of Our Lives for new drama and heartbreaks to come.
Pink Villa
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Days of Our Lives May 29 Episode Recap: Did Jada Arrest Xander? Here's What Happened
On the May 29 episode of Days of Our Lives, after Rachel told Kristen that she saw Johnny fighting with EJ with a gun in his hand the night EJ was shot, Kristen asked why she stayed silent all this time. Rachel had no intention of getting Johnny into any problem, and EJ had kidnapped her grandma, so 'he got what he deserved.' Rachel then reveals that she did not see Johnny pull the trigger. She was scared and ran upstairs and went back to sleep. Kristen says that they should keep this information to themselves. Clutching her stomach, Rachel cries that she feels worse. Belle and Jada talk about arresting Philip's attacker At this point, Belle, who is determined to put Philip's attacker in jail, is waiting to get the CCTV footage for the Salem Inn. Apart from that, she spoke with an individual who witnessed Xander in the square at the time of the attack. Jada wants a motive now, then Belle tells her that she knows one, but she will have to wait for Philip to wake up. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Kayla expresses being tired of Xander and EJ bullying everyone. She says something about having a plan, during which Xander shows up behind her. He asks if Sarah was working. Maggie, Julie, and Kayla tell him that he will have to go through them to get to his wife. He stated that it was okay, as it would be a different tune when he purchased the hospital. Then EJ chimes in and states it's 'if,' not 'when.' Then Kayla reveals her plan about having the board vote anonymously, so neither of them will be able to bully anyone. Kristen fills in Brady about what Rachel told her At the hospital, Kristen tells Brady about what Rachel told her. Brady wants to talk to the police, but she reminds him that CPS is still around them. She makes him promise not to spill it to anyone before he goes off to the board meeting. Later, once the votes were in, the ladies told Brady that they just needed him. Xander walks by and says that EJ bullied Brady to vote for him. Kayla states that the votes were anonymous. She then pulls Brady aside and reveals that it was a tie and the future of the hospital was in his hands. But before any decision comes across, Jada arrives and arrests Xander in front of other people, including EJ.
Pink Villa
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Days of Our Lives May 28 Episode Recap: Does Rachel Know Who Shot EJ? Here's What She Tells Kristen
On the May 28 episode of Days of Our Lives, Belle arrives at Alex 's office and the two start talking about Philip and the heist he had pulled. Belle states that he had good intentions and he wanted to make things right with Xander. Alex tells her about seeing Xander the day before and how differently he behaved around the same time Philip was attacked. They do not know if Xander is Phillip's attacker, but in case he is and Philip does not wake up, the question arises, what will happen to the companies, both DiMera and Titan? Abe senses something is off with Kate At the hospital, after Roman reassures Kate that Philip was looking better ans will wake up, she asks her husband to go home and start breakfast. Then Abe and Paulina run into her, and they have a chat. Once Paulina goes to get coffee, Abe asks the reason why Kate was so sure that Xander was Phillip's attacker. Without answering this question, Kate runs off to see Philip's doctor. What does Rachel tell Kristen? In the episode, EJ and Kristen have a talk about John and the hospital, with Kristen snapping at him that she can't deliver Brady's vote, and also calls out her brother for his behavior, despite his claims that he has changed. After EJ leaves, Rachel tells Kristen that she does not feel good, and ever since the tea party, her stomach has hurt. Rachel suggests that she was not sick but upset. Then Rachel talks about having a bad dream after her birthday. Later, stating, 'I heard a gunshot,' not in the dream but in real life. The episode also showed EJ and Johnny's encounter. At the square, EJ tries to call Johnnybut he turns away. While following him, EJ falls. As soon a that happened, Johnny tried to help him. As EJ pulls himself up, his son turns and walks away. Later, Kristen asks Rachel what she remembers about that night EJ was shot. Rachel states about waking up when she heard yelling and suck down to witness EJ and Johnny fighting and he carried a gun.
Pink Villa
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Days of Our Lives May 20 Episode Recap: Why Did EJ Ask Paulina to Meet Him? Find Out
In the latest episode of Days of Our Lives, aired on May 20, 2025, JJ arrives with a few questions about Philip's beating. According to Kate, this may have stemmed from a workplace issue with Xander. Gabi mentions noticing tension between the two brothers. After their chat, Gabi's daughter Ariana shows up and both of them share a tight hug. Gabi goes off at Javi and accuses him of messing up the flight. She ends up firing him, and Javi says, 'Fine.' Then Ariana told Gabi that her flight was canceled, and he had texted about the same to Gabi. Ariana asks her mother to apologize to Javi. Meanwhile, Chad gets to know about Philips' beating after he meets Leo at The Spectator office. On the other hand, Paulina visits the DiMera mansion after EJ calls her. He asks her to talk to Chanel and ask her to convince Johnny not to cut him out of his life. Paulina reminds him of the time EJ attempted to get her kicked out as mayor. EJ expressed wanting to focus on their kids, and he wants to make amends with his son and help give Chanel the family she deserves. Before Paulina heads out, EJ tells her that he will never give up on his son and that he will 'die for him.' Soon Chad enters and asks EJ if he had something to do with Philips' beating. EJ denies. Meanwhile, Gabi promises her daughter that she will apologize to Javi when he comes home. Their chat turns to Araiana's birthday planning. Later in the podcast, EJ asks if Chad and Cat have gone on a date yet. They haven't, but Chad says that they were going skydiving. Cat jumped out of his joke that he's afraid of heights. EJ advised him not to get nervous.
