Marcos on Yulo’s win: ‘We’ve witnessed history’

Philippines’ Carlos Edriel Yulo celebrates after winning the artistic gymnastics men’s vault final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on August 4, 2024. —Photo by Lionel Bonaventure/Agence France Presse

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and lawmakers paid tribute to Carlos Edriel Yulo for winning the country’s second gold and the first gymnastics medal in the Olympics on Saturday.

“We’ve witnessed history as Carlos Yulo clinched the Philippines’ first gold medal in artistic gymnastics at the Paris 2024 Olympics,” the President said in a Facebook post. “I am confident that it will not be the last.”

On Sunday, the President was all out in expressing his delight over Yulo’s victory.

READ: Carlos Yulo bags second gold medal, rules vault in Paris Olympics

“Congratulations, Caloy! The entire country stands proud with you!” he said.

The first lady also took to social media to congratulate Yulo.

“Got goosebumps as ‘Lupang Hinirang’ played at the arena! We are so proud of you!” she said, referring to the national anthem which was played during the men’s artistic gymnastics medal ceremony.

Yulo, 24, perfectly executed his routine, ending with a sure-footed landing to score 15.000 points.

He said earlier that he was “shooting for the stars” in Paris. But his acrobatic and technically difficult routine proved a hit.

“I’m so overwhelmed. I’m feeling grateful for having this medal and for God,” said Yulo, who competed in the vault final as of this writing. “He gave me the strength to get through this kind of performance and perform this well.”

Cash awards, pledges

Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday hailed Yulo as a “sports hero” and “national treasure” whose victory “symbolizes the indomitable spirit and resilience of the Filipino people.”

Romualdez said the House of Representatives will give Yulo P3 million, as pledged by the Speaker’s fellow lawmakers, and also confer on him a congressional medal.

“Caloy has earned this reward through sheer hard work and unmatched talent. This incentive is a testament to our unwavering support for Filipino athletes who strive for greatness on the global stage,” Romualdez said.

Yulo is also due to receive from the Philippine Sports Commission a P10 million incentive, in accordance with Republic Act No. 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, as well as an Olympic Gold Medal of Valor.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino had also pledged to reward each Olympic winner with a house and lot.

From the private sector, property developer Megaworld Corp. said it would award Yulo a fully furnished two-bedroom unit worth P24 million in McKinley Hill, Taguig City.

Other pledges as of this writing include P100,000 worth of furniture from Apollo Home Depot in Cagayan de Oro and a lifetime of free food from several restaurants including Vikings and Tipsy Pig, among others.

High hopes for Villegas

Romualdez also cited flyweight boxer and fellow Taclobanon Aira Villegas, who advanced to the quarterfinals on Saturday after winning by split decision over Wassila Lkhadiri of host country France.

“With her tenacity and talent, Aira still has a chance to bring home either a silver or gold medal. Tacloban City and the entire country are cheering on her every step of the way,” the Speaker said.

Senators also praised Yulo, with Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian saying that his “historic win brings a special moment of pride for our country and proves that the Olympic gold is no longer elusive for Filipino athletes.”

“Our task as a nation is to ensure that future generations of athletes have all the support they need to succeed [in] the world stage,” Gatchalian also said, adding that the National Academy of Sports was established precisely “to hone promising young athletes [so they] can achieve their full potential.”

Sen. Nancy Binay said “We all await your victorious return, and we will be sure to welcome you with all the warmth and pride that we can muster.”—with reports from Tina G. Santos, Marielle Medina and Agence France-Presse