EJ Obiena, other Pinoy athletes post tributes for Mervin Guarte

EJ Obiena and other Filipino athletes are one in mourning the death of Mervin Guarte, who was killed in a stabbing incident on Tuesday in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

Pole vault champion Obiena paid tribute to Guarte, whom he referred to as his 'friend and national team kuya', posting an old photo of them while representing the country.

"I just learned the devastating news of the shocking death of my friend and National Teammate Kuya Mervin Guarte. May his soul rest in peace, and I am sending my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. What a tragedy," the multi-medalist Obiena said.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ernest Obiena (@ernestobienapv)

"This is another poignant reminder to us all, that we must embrace every day as a gift; as tomorrow is never guaranteed."

Both Obiena and Guarte flourished in track and field with the former capturing three gold medals and one silver in SEA Games and the latter picking up two silver in the men's 800m and 1500m events during the 2011 edition in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Guarte then pivoted to obstacle course racing, where he would further thrive, winning a couple of gold medals. In 2019, he reigned supreme in the men's 5km of OCR before he and three others grabbed the gold in the men's team relay during the Cambodia SEA Games last year.

Meanwhile, marathon runner Mary Joy Tabal also remembered the late Guarte.

Tabal shared how she formed a bond with Guarte during the early days of her running career, saying the latter was a hardworking athlete in both running and OCR.

"He was full of potential, a hardworking athlete who transitioned from a champion middle-distance runner to a champion OCR athlete," Tabal, a one-time SEA Games gold medalist, said in a Facebook post.

"It’s deeply sad and heartbreaking to hear about his unjust passing...Thank you for serving the country and bringing home medals."