Simeon Toribio

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Galvez and the surname or paternal family name is Toribio.

Simeon Galvez Toribio (September 3, 1905 – June 5, 1969) was a Filipino high jumper and politician.

Simeon Toribio
Simeon Toribio in 1932
Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Bohol's 2nd district
In office May 25, 1946 – December 30, 1953
Preceded by	Olegario Clarin
Succeeded by	Bartolome Cabangbang
Personal details
Born	(1905-09-03)September 3, 1905 Zamboanga, Moro Province, Philippine Islands[1]
Died	June 5, 1969(1969-06-05) (aged 63) Carmen, Bohol, Philippines
Political party	Liberal (1946–1969)
Sports career
Nationality	Filipino
Country	Philippines
Sport	Track and field
Event	High jump
College team	Mapúa Cardinals
Club	Silliman University
Sports achievements and titles
Personal best	2.00 m (1930)[2]
Medal record Representing Philippines Olympic Games 1932 Los Angeles High jump Far Eastern Championship Games 1927 Shanghai High jump 1930 Tokyo High jump 1934 Manila High jump

Early life and education

Toribio studied at Silliman University.^[3]

Athletics career

He competed at the 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics and won a bronze medal in 1932. In 1928, he cleared the same height as the silver and bronze medalists Benjamin Hedges and Claude Ménard, but lost the jump-off and placed fourth.^[4] Toribio served as the flag bearer for the Philippines at the 1936 Games, where he finished 12th.^[2][5]

According to author Jorge Afable, Toribio could have won the gold medal, if not only for the "call of nature". It was a grueling four-hour competition to jump over the bar raised at six feet and six inches high. Toribio, who once made the jump, failed to overcome it the second time because he was distressed by call of nature.^[1]

Recognition

Toribio was the recipient of the 1930 Helms World Trophy for being Asia's greatest athlete, the only Filipino to be awarded this honor.^[6]

Also in 1930, he was awarded the title "Asia’s Greatest Athlete".^[2]

Post-athletics career

During World War II, Toribio joined the underground resistance and narrowly escaped arrest by Japanese forces due to a chance encounter involving a souvenir from a previous competition in Japan ^[7]

Toribio later became a civil engineer.^[2]

Toribio official portrait during the 2nd Congress.

In 1941, he was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines, representing the Second District of Bohol, and served until 1953.^[2]

Later life and death

He settled in Carmen, Bohol and died there in 1969. His descendants are continuing his legacy in Public Service.^{[when?][further explanation needed][2]}