Gymnastics is a female-dominated sport, at least in a relatively conservative Philippine society where shattering gender stereotypes is still a developing habit. Participation in men’s artistic gymnastics (MAG) was never as celebrated locally, until Carlos Yulo happened.  

For Philippine gymnastics pillar Coach Normita ‘Butch’ Ty, Yulo’s Olympic victory was a trailblazer whose ripple effect “awakened” male participation and involvement, especially for younger boys. 

CARLOS YULO EFFECT
“Ang pinakamalaki niyang contribution, na-awaken niya lahat ng tatay dito sa Philippines.”

A gymnastics coach for over 40 years, Coach Butch has seen it all. And she sees Carlos Yulo’s accomplishments at the world’s biggest multi-sport event the dawn of unprecedented support for male participation in gymnastics.

The former national team mentor noticed that fathers, who used to be hesitant due to stereotypes about the female-dominated discipline, have had a change of heart ever since the nation erupted in jubilation over Yulo’s iconic feat, followed by a timely and strong clamor for more male visibility in the sport. 

“Kasi alam mo naman ang mga tatay natin diba, strong ano sa mga lalake– na baka maging bading ka, baka maging malambot ka, kasi ‘pambabae lang yan.’ Ngayon, meron na kaming men’s artistic gymnastics at 29 sila,” Coach Butch proudly mentioned.

“Yan ang greatest contribution ni Carlos more than anything. In my case, I've had a hard time encouraging the fathers that it is possible, but it is possible,” she noted.

STRONGER SUPPORT FOR M.A.G.
The long-tenured mentor and club owner has been running the S.TY International Gymnastics Cup since 2016, so her wealth of experience as a tournament convenor has allowed her to witness shifts in the landscape.

Particularly, Coach Butch noticed a significant improvement in gender participation and the narratives surrounding it. 

“Ngayon, may mga nagre-request na ‘wala ba tayong MAG, kahit mag-umpisa lang tayo ulet.’ So we actually have 29 (MAG athletes) now– not bad at all. Merong galing province, meron galing international. This is just the beginning,” Coach Butch told GMA Regional TV News.

She is pertaining to the seven-year drought where boys did not see action from the second to the eighth edition of the S.TY Cup, an annual gymnastics meet that attracts young aspirants from all over the Philippines and across Asia. 

The last time there were boys competing in the event was in 2016 during its inaugural edition.

“After the first, ito na ulit– this is our second time that we have MAG. [Actually] they were clamoring for it… may mga requests. Nung nanalo si Carlos Yulo, may mga nagsabi na ‘oh Coach Butch, pwede ka nang mag-MAG kahit paunti-unti.’ So now we have levels one, two, and three,” shared the former national rhythmic team coach.

As a result, more parents and even casual supporters have openly expressed their dedication to make MAG more mainstream and accessible. 

MOVING FORWARD
Coach Butch promises to further widen the tournament’s reach in its future iterations, which also powers up their commitment to bringing improvement to Philippine gymnastics.

“We are trying to help the community by supporting one another. So nagkaisa kami na tumulong sa Gymnastics Association of the Philippines na mag-scout. Hopefully by next year makapag-add pa kami,” she said optimistically.

“Kung umoo lang ako in the beginning, siguro mga 200 (male gymnasts) yan pero hindi ko pa kaya. Let me prepare myself earlier so that we can prepare everything— judges, technical people, apparatuses, friends from other countries,” she added.

“I promise by next year, MAG will really be included.”