Carlos Yulo: Philippines gold medalist feuds with mum after win (2024)

Carlos Yulo: Philippines gold medalist feuds with mum after win (1)Carlos Yulo: Philippines gold medalist feuds with mum after win (2)Reuters

Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo's feud with his mother has been making headlines in his home country, threatening to eclipse the euphoria over his historic twin gold medal wins in the Paris Olympics.

At the centre of the disagreement is how Angelica Poquiz-Yulo managed her 24-year-old son's finances and her reported disapproval of his girlfriend, a content creator on TikTok.

Intense coverage of the spat - which has played out in interviews, social media posts and even a hastily-arranged press conference - has prompted many to call on the media for restraint.

Mr Yulo is only the second Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in the 2020 Tokyo games.

He is already a local celebrity and product endorser, with the twin medal haul only elevating his profile even higher while stirring national pride.

He will receive a 20 million-peso ($350,000; £273,000) cash bonus from the Philippine government. Corporate sponsors have pledged to give him a swanky condominium unit and a lifetime of free buffet meals and inasal, a local roasted chicken flavoured with lemongrass and ginger.

The capital city Manila has also started preparing festivities for his homecoming.

But soon after his second gold on Sunday, reports began to surface about an interview his mother had given to a local radio station that same day.

In that interview, Ms Yulo said that contrary to allegations, she did not mismanage her son's money and had in fact deposited it at a bank in Manila. She said she received money on her son's behalf.

Two days later, on 6 August, Mr Yulo released a video on TikTok, asking his mother where his past prize money had gone because he "never received" it.

Mr Yulo also said his Filipina girlfriend is not a "red flag" and that his mother had judged the woman because of her appearance and her liberal upbringing in Australia.

"My message to you, Ma, is I hope you heal and move on. I have forgiven you a long time ago. I pray that you are always safe and sound," Mr Yulo said in the TikTok video.

'There is no perfect family'

Ms Yulo then called for a press conference on 7 August to respond to her son's TikTok video and offered her hand in reconciliation.

She apologised for what she said in the interview, saying "rapid questions" from the media prevented her from thinking clearly.

Ms Yulo said she was issuing her "final word" on her disagreement with her son and that she was not after his money.

"This has reached an alarming level because now, the entire country is waiting for what each of us will say next, when this matter should have been kept private," she said.

"I am not a perfect mother and God knows that you are not a perfect son. There is no perfect family," she said.

Neither mother nor son had spoken since that press conference late on Wednesday.

Carlos Yulo: Philippines gold medalist feuds with mum after win (3)Carlos Yulo: Philippines gold medalist feuds with mum after win (4)TikTok

On social media, fans have called for an end to speculation over Mr Yulo's personal life, asking to shift attention back to his historic feat in Paris.

Filipino audiences have a penchant for soap operas and gossip, especially when it involves public figures - who they are dating and how they are spending their money.

There is even a local slang for the chief gossip in the neighbourhood or the chat group - Marites, a common name for a Filipina woman.

During the pandemic lockdowns, then president Rodrigo Duterte joked that too much time at home has turned the nation of 115 million people into the "Republic of Marites".

But in the case of Mr Yulo, media attention has gone too far, said prominent journalism professor Danilo Arao.

"Let us not dilute the outstanding achievements in the 2024 Paris Olympics by reporting on trivial matters that do not carry news values and do not shape public opinion," Prof Arao told the BBC.

Reporting on family feuds or personal problems of private individuals promotes an "unacceptable culture of voyeurism and rumour-mongering", he said.

He said coverage of Yulo's win should instead focus on the challenges facing Filipino athletes because of a lack of state support.

The Yulo family feud has also reignited conversations on social media on the expectations for children, under Filipino culture, to always obey their parents, even if they don't think that it is to their best interest.

For now, social media users have resumed swapping funny memes about the country's new sports star.

One disinfectant brand likened Yulo's charm to its germ-killing power -- 99.99% effective. Never mind the 0.01% that do not like him.

For Ms Yulo, she acknowledged that hurtful words have been said, but that they remain a family.

"Our home is open, whether or not you have money, the door is open in case you want to come back," she said.

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Carlos Yulo: Philippines gold medalist feuds with mum after win (2024)

FAQs

Carlos Yulo: Philippines gold medalist feuds with mum after win? ›

Two days later, on 6 August, Mr Yulo released a video on TikTok, asking his mother where his past prize money had gone because he "never received" it. Mr Yulo also said his Filipina girlfriend is not a "red flag" and that his mother had judged the woman because of her appearance and her liberal upbringing in Australia.

Who is the mother of Carlos Yulo? ›

Angelica Poquiz Yulo, the mother of Filipino Olympic gymnast Carlos Yulo, is reportedly considering legal action against individuals who allegedly disseminated false information and posted defamatory comments about her on social media platforms.

Who was the first Filipino to win a gold medal in the Olympics? ›

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz clinched the first-ever Olympic gold for the Philippines in Tokyo in 2021.

Who is the father of Carlos Yulo? ›

Carlos Edriel Poquiz Yulo was born on February 16, 2000 to Mark Andrew Yulo, a travel agent liaison, and Angelica Yulo (née Poquiz), a homemaker, daughter of Angelita Poquiz, in Manila, Philippines, and lived along Leveriza Street, Malate. He is the second of four siblings.

Did Carlos Yulo win in Tokyo Olympics? ›

He won the world vault gold medal at the championships in 2021 and narrowly missed out on a vault medal at the Tokyo Olympics, where he placed fourth. In Paris, Yulo competed the most difficult exercises on vault and floor exercise to secure victory in the finals.

Where did Carlos Yulo live? ›

Barangay 711 in Leveriza, where Carlos Yulo grew up, in festive mood as Pinoy gymnast returns home. Before his roaring success on the biggest stage in sports, Carlos Yulo was once a young aspiring athlete, growing up in the streets of Barangay 711 in Leveriza, Manila where his pathway to gold and glory started.

How much money did Carlos Yulo win? ›

He will receive a 20 million-peso ($350,000; £273,000) cash bonus from the Philippine government. Corporate sponsors have pledged to give him a swanky condominium unit and a lifetime of free buffet meals and inasal, a local roasted chicken flavoured with lemongrass and ginger.

Who owns Gold medalist? ›

Goldmedalist (Korean: 골드메달리스트; stylized in all caps) is a private held South Korean entertainment company established in 2019 by Lee Sarang and Kim Mi-hye.

Who won the first ever Olympic gold medal? ›

On 6 April 1896, the American James Connolly won the triple jump to become the first Olympic champion in more than 1,500 years. He also finished second in the high jump and third in the long jump.

How many medals did the Philippines win in the Olympics in 2024? ›

From golden boy to trailblazer, Philippines delivered best Olympic performance in Paris. 2+0+2 = 4 for the 2024 Olympics. These numbers will forever be etched in Philippine sport history.

What is the sports of Carlos Yulo? ›

Olympic Gymnast Carlos Yulo Addresses Rift With Mother—And Allegations She Took His Money—Days After Winning Gold. Yulo became the Philippines' first-ever two-time Olympic gold medalist this week after winning the men's floor exercise and vault events.

Who is Jose Luis Yulo? ›

Jose Luis U. Yulo, Jr. is currently the President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands, the first and the oldest business organization in the country. He co-founded and managed the first trade exhibit center of the country – the Philippine Center for International Trade & Exhibits.

Who is Chief Justice YULO? ›

José Yulo (September 24, 1894 – October 27, 1976) was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (May 7, 1942 – July 9, 1945) during the Japanese Occupation and was Speaker of the National Assembly of the Philippines from 1939 until World War II started in 1941.

Who is Carlos Yulo's mother? ›

Who wins the most Olympics? ›

Though it's been eight years since he competed at the Olympic level, Michael Phelps remains the most decorated Olympian of all-time in any sport, capturing an unrivaled 28 medals over his career.

Who is the mother of Jose Garcia Villa? ›

His parents were Simeón Villa (a personal physician of Emilio Aguinaldo) and Guia Garcia (a wealthy landowner).

Who is Chief Justice Jose Yulo? ›

José Yulo (September 24, 1894 – October 27, 1976) was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (May 7, 1942 – July 9, 1945) during the Japanese Occupation and was Speaker of the National Assembly of the Philippines from 1939 until World War II started in 1941.

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