The city government of Manila yesterday honored its son from Tondo in pole vault sensation Ernest John "EJ" Obiena.

Mayor Honey Lacuna met Obiena during the regular Monday flag-raising ceremony at city hall. He was handed P300,000 by the city as a reward for bringing honors to the country.

The 26-year-old Obiena hails from the second district of Tondo. Feting him along with Lacuna were Vice Mayor Yul Servo and Tondo Councilor Uno Lim.

Lacuna also presented Obiena with four Manila City council resolutions, citing him for his exemplary achievements and for constantly bringing the country sporting glory.

"We cannot measure the honors EJ has brought to the country, especially for the capital city," Lacuna said. Obiena has broken the Asian pole vault record in Vienna.

Obiena was also given the "Outstanding Manilan" award in the recently concluded "Araw ng Maynila."

Obiena has held the Philippine national record in pole vaulting with a record of 5.55 meters which he accomplished on 29 April 2016 at the 78th Singapore Open Championships in Kallang, Singapore.

He later broke the Asian Athletics Championships record with 5.71 meters on 21 April 2019 on its 23rd biennial meet at Doha, Qatar which earned him the coveted gold medal finish.

Obiena is currently ranked as the world's third-best active men's pole vaulter.