How former Olympic gymnast Ernesto Beren had a hand in helping gold medalist Carlos Yulo

With Carlos Yulo's name becoming more prominent recently after winning two gold medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics, more and more was learned about his journey to victory.

However, not known to many, one figure had a hand, one way or another, in getting Yulo started in his gymnastics career — former Philippine Olympian Ernesto Beren. 

Beren was among the country's first Olympic gymnasts as he competed in the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

Before Yulo's participation in Tokyo three years ago, Beren's batch, along with Norman Henson, was the last time the Philippines was represented in Olympic gymnastics.

From the streets of Manila

Years after being an Olympian, a Philippine Navy personnel, even a movie actor, Beren eventually worked with the Philippine Sports Commission as a venue manager and then handled the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex's gymnastics center. 

"Papunta ako sa Leveriza, malapit sa ground ng Manila Zoo, sa may tabi. May nakita akong bata na mga nagta-tumbling," Beren recalled to GMA News Online.

"Ngayon, pinanood ko yung mga bata, nakita ko nagta-tumbling, may somersault, bumabagsak ang likod. Naawa ako. Sa damuhan. May nagha-hand spring,  hindi nila alam ang techniques. Basta bahala na. Tumbling lang nang tumbling sa damo."

Beren then recalled how he started in gymnastics in his younger years.

A Boys Town product, Beren said he would also train on the grass as they did not have proper equipment then.

"Pinanood ko nang pinanood. Sabi ko, 'Okay 'tong mga bata na 'to ah, malalakas ang loob. Pareho namin 'to, parang di nag-iisip ng aksidente," he said.

He then called one of the tall guys among the group and asked where they were from. He then encouraged them to go to Rizal Memorial Sports Complex as these kids were practicing gymnastics for their school.

"Maya-maya, may nakita kaong matandang parating. May dalang meryenda nila. Pina-merienda sila. Umalis na ako kasi naalala ko mag-merienda rin pala ako," he said in jest.

"Pumunta kayo sa Rizal Memorial. May puwede pagpraktisan doon, baka puwede kayo."

After a week, Beren recalled that an old man was looking for the gymnastics center.

"May mga kasamang bata. Siguro mga tatlo o apat. Nagtanong sa gym, tinuro ng gwardya. Sabi dito ang praktisan. Papasok na sana sila, kaso hindi puwede, may bayad," he said.

The gymnastics center then had a rate of P25 per hour.

"Pinakiusapan ko 'yung guwardiya, sabi ko, sandali lang. 'Yung mga bata, walang pambayad 'yan. Nakita ko sa damuhan nagta-tumbling 'yan. Puwede mo papasukin, wala pa naman ['yung mga magbayad]. Pagdating nila, saka natin papalabasin. Pero papatabihin ko. Pipili lang ako ng mga apat na bata siguro, kasama nung matanda."

Beren then asked the kids to do some basic drills like 100 jumps in the trampoline and continuous rolls for their backs.

Eventually, these kids were asked "Sabi ko, sinong kasama n'yo? Lolo daw nila."

The kids then continued on utilizing the time which Beren allowed to use.

"Nung nakapili na ata ang public school ng mga player nila, naghahanap na si Mang Boy ng praktisan. Pinakiusap ko sa presidente ng gymnastics na si Mr. [Chuck] Buenaventura na puwede ba 'yung mga bata makiano sa tabi lang. Sabi ko, basic lang naman para matuto."

After Beren's basic drills and allowing the free use of the gym, the kids eventually competed in inter-school meets. 

"Nung may competition na, pagdating ko sa gym, takbo sakin si Mang Boy. 'Coach, coach, anong gagawin ng apo ko?'

"Sabi ko, papuntahin mo rito. 'Pinraktis n'yo ba 'yung sinabi ko sa inyo?' "Opo, coach."

Turns out, Mang Boy was none other than Rodrigo Frisco, Yulo's grandfather. 

"Tapos binilinan ko si Caloy, 'Caloy, Ito tandaan mo ah, tuwing la-landing ka, dapat 'yung paa mo nakadikit. Huwag na huwag mong iaabante. Pag inabante mo, wala ka nang gold. Tandaan mo 'yan hanggang pagtanda mo," he recalled.

World-class Filipino gymnasts

Years later, Beren still remembered the tip he once gave to the young Yulo as he watched the Filipino gymnast ace the floor exercise and vault finals of the Paris Olympics.

"Kinukumpara ko sa kalaban niya. 'Yung skill ng kalaban niya medyo mababa. 'Yung skill na ginagamit niya, mataas. Kahit na pareho silang nagkamali, ang difficulty niya mas mataas. 'Yung deduction nila pareho," Beren recalled as he watched Yulo's performance in Paris.

Aside from being a venue manager, Beren's technical knowledge allowed him to also serve as judges in competitions, even when Yulo was still competing then.

When Yulo made his first landing in Paris, Beren said, "Kinabahan ako doon. Tumalbog eh."

"Pero inisip ko kaagad yung kalaban niya, mas maraming extra step. 'Yung difficulty rin, mas mahirap ['yung kay Carlos]."

Yulo eventually became the gold medalist, confirming Beren's hunch after his performance.

From the Philippines' last participation in Olympic gymnastics in 1968, it took more than 50 years before Yulo made his way to the Summer Games. 

It took a few more years for him to win the country's first gold medal in the sport.

The spotlight is now on Yulo and gymnastics, and Beren also hopes this light continues for the future generation of gymnasts.

"Malayo na, Pero sa tingin ko, mahirapan na masundan 'yun," Beren said, suggesting that the Philippines should also train judges who will have the eye for technicalities and hope that provinces also hold gymnastics competitions, along with proper equipment allotted to them.

However, while Yulo is shining now, it is also worth looking back on those who paved the way for Philippine gymnastics to where it is now — people like Beren who once proudly donned the national colors and one way or another had a hand in shaping gymnastics to where it is now.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News