GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
Carlos Yulo flies high
Carlos Yulo’s parents have not had a wink of sleep, but they couldn’t be happier. After all, their son won the Philippines' very first gold medal in the world gymnastics championships on Saturday.
Caloy, who was the youngest competitor in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at the age of 19, bested more experienced gymnasts in the men’s floor exercises, twisting and soaring his way to first place.
He also beat his performance last year, which earned him a bronze medal.
Caloy’s father, Mark Andrew, said they were watching in their house in Malate, and even the neighbors were celebrating when the results were announced.
“Kinakabahan ako kagabi,” he told GMA News. “Nakakaiyak din po. Naiyak din ‘yung iba. Nakaka-touch kasi po, history po eh.”
“Sobrang proud to the extent na hindi kami makatulog kakaisip,” added Angelica, Caloy’s mother.
Another proud family member is Caloy’s great-grandfather, Rodrigo Frisco, who accidentally introduced him to the sport at the age of seven. He said he had taken Caloy and his other grandchildren to a playground where they saw a gymnast.
“Merong isang bata diyan na atleta siya ng gymnastics,” recalled Frisco. “Tumbling siya nang tumbling diyan sa playground, ‘yung mga apo ko naman ginaya siya. [Afterwards] dinala ko sila sa Gymnastics Association of the Philippines.”
GAP allowed Caloy and his older sister, Joriel, to train for free. GAP president Cynthia Carrion later approached a Japanese coach to train Caloy in 2013.
In 2016, Caloy was sent to Japan to train with the same coach.
Angelica admitted that it was difficult during the first two years that their son was away from the family.
“Mahirap in a way pero kailangan ko siyang i-let go, alam kong nandoon ang brighter future. At the same time, gusto rin niya,” she said.
Caloy has since adjusted and is now juggling training while studying Literature in Teikyo University as a freshman.
Ezra Canlas, Caloy’s former coach at Aurora Quezon Elementary School in Manila, said that the young gymnast is very focused. “He is determined. May fighting spirit at God-fearing,” he said.
Today, Caloy has more than 400 medals.
He is an inspiration to his two younger siblings who have also won in international competitions. Eleven-year-old Eldrew says he dreams of becoming an Olympian just like his brother.
“Kaya po ako na-inspire sa kanya kasi sobrang linis ng galaw niya,” said Eldrew.
“I miss him,” said his nine-year-old sister, Elaiza Andriel.
Lack of funding
As a young athlete, Caloy was fortunate to be supported by GAP and later on by the Philippine Sports Commission. Angelica hopes, however, that the government will be more helpful towards athletes.
“Hindi pa ganun kalaki ‘yung fundings kasi nga si Ma’am Cynthia din nag-aano din siya ng mga private sponsors na puwedeng mag-sponsor kay Caloy,” explained Angelica. “Kaya naipadala si Caloy sa Japan. Pero sabi nga nila kung mas maagang naipadala, at the age of 13, naipadala si Caloy, baka malamang wiped out niya lahat ng medals ngayong World Championships.”
Caloy is scheduled to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday.
He will next compete in the Southeast Asian Games, which will be hosted by the Philippines in December, and in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. — BM, GMA News
