THE mother of double Olympic champion Carlos Yulo apologized on Wednesday to her son over their public feud.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Angelica Yulo echoed her son's statement that the issues between them should be put to rest.
“Son, I am sorry. I know others would think that I'm only speaking now because of your success,” she said in Filipino. “The door is open for a personal discussion without any kind of resentment.”
“I am asking for your forgiveness because I'm just a mother that's only worried. … You are of age and you can make your own decisions. Our door is always open, whether you have money or not. I cannot take back what I said. But your father and I are ready to talk with understanding, any time you are ready when you get home to fix this,” she added. “Other people do not need to know the feud because they don't know the whole story, and they won't understand it.”
At the conclusion of the statement she read out to reporters, Mrs. Yulo congratulated her oldest son for his Olympic success and said that his family is proud of him.
“We're good, as healing is what I'm also praying for so that the pain would lessen. … I wanted the pain to go away, especially that it's been in my heart for a long time,” Mrs. Yulo said.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he would consult Yulo on how the government could better support athletes and boost the country's medal haul in international competitions.
Speaking to reporters, Marcos said the government should inspire more athletes to become champions.
“When we meet, I will ask him what else can the government offer to our athletes so we can have more Olympic medals,” Marcos said of Yulo, who recently clinched two gold medals at the Paris Olympics.
The President said that Yulo's expertise and experience as a world-renowned gymnast could be invaluable in identifying areas where the government can improve its support for athletes.
“He's been through it all. He went to the Tokyo Olympics. He has now won his two gold medals in the Paris Olympics, so what else should the government do?” he added.
When asked about the possible amount of the additional reward, the President emphasized his desire for Filipino athletes to bring home more medals.
Marcos said the Office of the President has pledged to give Yulo an additional reward on top of the existing P20 million cash prize, expressing his admiration for the gymnast's exceptional achievements
“He deserves everything that anybody is willing to give him,” Marcos said. “I think he will continue to greater heights in sport. He's been a world champion for a long time.”
Yulo secured the Philippines' second and third Olympic gold medals after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz's win at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
With his double gold achievement, Yulo is set to receive a cash incentive of P20 million from the government as mandated by Republic Act 10699.
He will also receive a house and lot from the Philippine Olympic Committee and an Olympic Medal of Valor from the Philippine Sports Commission.
These are on top of the various rewards and financial incentives amounting to millions of pesos pledged by several businesses and corporations.
Marcos also congratulated boxer Aira Villegas, who won the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics.
“Congratulations, Aira! That was a knockout performance in your Olympic debut! You made us all proud and are surely an inspiration to young Filipinas,” Marcos said on a social media post.
“Thank you for bringing home the bronze. Mabuhay ka (Long live),” he added.
In a separate post, the first lady also congratulated Villegas, saying, “Pinays can really pack a punch worthy of Olympic medal.”
Also on Wednesday, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution to give Yulo a congressional medal of excellence.
The resolution, which was adopted in consolidation with similar resolutions, also congratulates him.
“Caloy Yulo is truly one of the greatest Filipino athletes of all time, earning the country not only one but two gold medals in the Olympics. Ang kanyang tagumpay ay tagumpay ng bawat Pilipino, at napakalaking karangalan ang kanyang hatid sa Pilipinas (His victory is the victory of every Filipino, and he brings great honor to the Philippines),” Speaker Martin Romualdez said.
“For his remarkable victory and exceptional performances at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics that brought great honor and glory to the country while showcasing the magnanimity of a Filipino athlete, Carlos Edriel P. Yulo deserves utmost recognition and commendation,” the resolution read.
The House had pledged P3 million for gold medalists, which meant that Yulo will receive at least P6 million from the legislative chamber.
He will receive more cash incentives from a fundraising campaign that Romualdez initiated among House lawmakers.
The House had pledged P2 million for silver medalists and P1 million for bronze medalists.
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