Mula Batanes hanggang Jolo, two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo served as a beacon of inspiration to young Filipino gymnasts.
While two gold medals symbolize extraordinary achievements, the true impact of Olympic champion Carlos Yulo’s success transcends these accolades.
Carlos Yulo’s lasting gift to the Philippines is touching the lives and hearts of aspiring young gymnasts.
During his Thursday appearance on variety show Eat Bulaga, the double Olympic gold medalist had a touching encounter with 11-year-old Filipina gymnast Jezzy James Cabaluna.
Jezzy had written a heartfelt letter sharing her need for a new leotard because her current one was worn out from intense training.
The young gymnast also shared that she dreams of clinching an Olympic gold medal someday, just like Kuya Caloy.
“Ano bang pangarap mo? ” asked TV host Tito Sotto.
“Magkaroon po ng gold medal sa Olympics,” Jezzy answered.
“Sino bang idol mo?” Tito Sotto asked again.
“Si Carlos Yulo po,” she said.
The decorated Filipino Olympic gymnast then made a grand entrance on the TV show and greeted Jezzy.
The double Olympic gold medalist shared words of encouragement, inspiring the next generation of gymnasts to dream big and aspire to become Olympians like him one day.
“Ang masasabi ko po sa mga gustong sumubok talaga, kagaya niya po na nandito [Jezzy], ipagpatuloy niyo lang po ‘yong pangarap niyo,” Yulo said to the Dabarkads.
The two-time gold medalist and world champion shared a deeply moving message, acknowledging that the path to achieving dreams is often fraught with challenges and difficult days.
He emphasized that, while the journey may be tough, the most important thing is to keep moving forward with unwavering determination.
“Gano’n talaga, may mga araw na mahirap, walang madali sa pagsubok na ‘to. Enjoy-in natin, kasi syempre binigay ng Diyos. Training lang nang training. Palakpakan mo ‘yung mga nananalo. Darating din talaga ang para sa’yo,” Yulo added.
Carlos Yulo exemplifies true sportsmanship. Even after finishing 12th in the men’s artistic gymnastics all-around finals, he gracefully congratulated World No. 1 Oka Shinnosuke from Japan and World No. 4 Illia Kovtun from Ukraine.
Apart from words of wisdom and a core memory that the young gymnast will forever remember, the Golden Boy also gave Jezzy his iconic chalk container, which is part of his lucky charm during his Olympic stint.
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Yulo became a beacon of hope for the young Filipino gymnasts, striving their hardest because of their dream to become like their Kuya Caloy someday.
It reminded him of his early beginnings when he was a seven-year-old gymnast from Malate, who would probably be so proud right now seeing that his sacrifice and hard work led him to this moment.
Maraming salamat sa pagbibigay ng inspirasyon, Caloy!