I am thrilled to celebrate Carlos Yulo and his incredible achievement in gymnastics! Securing a gold medal with a perfect score at the 2024 Olympics is nothing short of extraordinary. My heart swells with pride for this remarkable Filipino athlete, and I extend my congratulations to Israel and Britain for their commendable performances in second and third place, respectively. The competition was truly intense and exhilarating!
Update: Carlos Yulo has made history at the 2024 Olympics with an extraordinary double gold achievement! His recent victory in the men’s vault final saw him scoring a remarkable 15.116, outshining his competitors with a high level of difficulty and precision. Yulo’s performance featured a Ri Se Gwang, scoring 15.433, and a Kasamatsu double twist, scoring 14.800. This impressive feat pushed him ahead of Great Britain’s Harry Hepworth, who scored 14.949. Amidst this remarkable success, there are deeper layers to explore, including the complexities of family dynamics and the personal challenges that accompany such a triumph.
However, amidst the joy of this historic win, I find myself deeply concerned about a troubling aspect of this success story. While I am immensely proud of Carlos Yulo for raising our flag high and inspiring countless aspiring gymnasts, I cannot ignore the personal challenges he faces. Reports about a family feud, particularly his strained relationship with his mother and three younger siblings, cast a shadow over this triumphant moment.
This situation brings to mind a previous blog I wrote about the troubling trend of viewing children as mere “investments.” It seems that this issue is once again relevant in Carlos Yulo’s case. It is disheartening to see that even amidst such a monumental achievement, familial discord persists.
As someone who has cherished gymnastics since childhood and has even had informal training myself, it saddens me to see personal struggles overshadowing professional success. Carlos Yulo’s story is a reminder of the complexities that can accompany greatness, and it highlights the need for empathy and understanding in the face of personal adversity.
As Carlos Yulo basks in the glory of his Olympic triumph, the spotlight on his personal life reveals a more somber narrative. Recent revelations from his mother, Angelica Poquiz Yulo, have uncovered a deep familial rift that has overshadowed this significant achievement.
Angelica has openly attributed the strain in their relationship to Carlos’s girlfriend, Chloe San Jose. According to her, the discord began when Chloe stayed at a dormitory funded by the Philippine Sports Commission, which Angelica viewed as an intrusion. Her concerns about the living arrangements and the perceived distance Chloe was creating between Carlos and his family have fueled ongoing tensions.
This family feud brings to mind the points I discussed in my previous blog about the dynamics of parental investment. In that post, I emphasized the importance of gratitude towards parents, acknowledging their sacrifices and the choices they make to support their children. The situation with Carlos Yulo serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities that can arise when familial expectations and personal relationships collide.
While Angelica’s concerns about Chloe may seem personal and specific, they echo a broader issue of how families navigate the pressures and sacrifices involved in supporting a rising star. It’s a reminder that behind every public success story are private struggles that can often be overlooked or misunderstood.
Considerations to Keep in Mind:
The Investment Perspective: The notion that Carlos Yulo’s mother, Angelica, views him and her other children as investments is flawed. Fundamentally, this is not the mindset of parents for their children. Angelica’s actions do not suggest she views her children as investments; if she did, she would not have distanced herself from Carlos or blocked communication. Why can’t people accept that parents basically and naturally love their children? Why is there always malice attributed to a parent’s love for their children? Her current stance points to personal disagreements, not a calculated investment strategy.
Parental Concerns About Relationships: If you were a mother, would you be comfortable with your child—whether they are successful or facing difficulties—being involved with someone you find questionable or non-conservative who doesn’t have the same values as you taught your kids to? Many Filipino mothers, based on my conversations, would indeed have reservations about such a relationship, especially if the partner’s values clash with their own.
Understanding Sacrifices: Carlos and Chloe have been together for four years, but did Chloe fully grasp the sacrifices made by Carlos and his family before she entered his life? The Yulos supported Carlos through challenging times when his achievements were not yet recognized. Chloe’s involvement came after Carlos had gained significant success, which raises questions about her understanding of their family’s struggles.
Future Loyalty Concerns: Should Carlos and Chloe marry, questions about Chloe’s loyalty and commitment to Carlos’s future come into play. Will she exhibit the same enduring support as Jinky Pacquiao, who stood by Manny during his less successful times? Given that Chloe entered Carlos’s life when he was already a rising star, there is concern about whether she will remain steadfast if circumstances change.
Siblings’ Support: The lack of support from Carlos’s siblings and their disappointment in his relationship choices cannot be ignored. As someone who has experienced similar family dynamics, I understand the pain of seeing a sibling distance themselves from family. The Yulo siblings’ feelings reflect broader concerns about Carlos’s prioritization of Chloe over family ties.
The Role of Support and External Influences: While Carlos Yulo’s parents support him with genuine care, the risk arises when family ties are strained. In such cases, those surrounding him—non-family members—may not have his best interests at heart. They might view him merely as a source of income and may introduce distractions, such as a glamorous girlfriend, to keep him in the spotlight and maximize their profits.
Are all successful children and people just investments? Did they get there purely on their own? Do we have to conclude that every successful person in their careers or dreams/goals has only made it to the top because they want it and are determined all by themselves, without their family’s support? Because if their family supports them, it’s like their family is investing in them? Should parents just support them, not push them to maximize their potential, so they won’t feel pressured? Should they not encourage them, but ask others like a girlfriend or friends to do the supporting, so that parents won’t be labeled as investors? This is an unrealistic and unfair expectation. Parents naturally want the best for their children and will guide, push, and support them out of love, not out of a desire for return on investment.
Remember “The Blind Side”? The Tuohy family, particularly Leigh Anne, displayed remarkable compassion when they took in Michael Oher. Despite Michael being unknown at the time, the Tuohys embraced him as one of their own, providing him with support and love purely out of kindness. However, once Michael began to achieve success and attract attention, critics accused the Tuohy family of only helping him because they had plans for him to play at their alma mater, the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). This criticism questioned the sincerity of their support, despite the Tuohys’ genuine care for Michael.
Context: Leigh Anne Tuohy discussed adopting Michael with his biological mother, Denise, who eventually consented. As Michael became a top recruit for prestigious schools, the Tuohys facilitated his recruitment. When Michael chose to attend Ole Miss, where Leigh Anne and her family had deep connections, an NCAA investigator was assigned to determine if the Tuohys had inappropriately influenced his decision. Michael, feeling conflicted, confronted Leigh Anne but ultimately chose Ole Miss because it was where his new family went to school. Despite scrutiny, Michael affirmed his decision was based on family ties and support, and he continued his journey with the Tuohy family’s backing.
So here’s the point: We don’t know the family dynamics of the Yulos, and have no right to accuse the parents and families of turning their children into investments. I want to stress this! This is not about money; it’s about this generation’s misguided idea of what family is. Remember, we are Filipinos. Let’s continue respecting our elders, promoting respectful and harmonious family relationships, and not hating each other! If you think you’re so good at parenting, go raise your own kids, make them Olympic champions, and then see how you feel when someone with different values takes your child away.
Good thing Carlos has his father and grandmother with him, maintaining a connection with his family while his mother and siblings are still processing everything. His success should be credited to God and his family first and foremost.
If Carlos loses everything one day—the riches, the fame, the strength, the beauty—I’m not sure anyone is willing to stay with him except his family. But people can change, so who knows, really. That’s why Carlos needs his parents, mother, father, and grandparents to guide him. They know him best and can give him the best guidance, especially in matters like relationships.
That’s why marriage, or companionship, is such a big thing. Carlos is just in love and no longer rational about anything because of Chloe. He’s basically lost; she is his kryptonite. Marriage involves two families celebrating the union of a man and a woman. Why can’t people appreciate the beauty of family and marriage?
As Filipinos, we should continue to uphold our values of respect and harmony within our families. Instead of focusing on criticisms and creating divisions, let’s appreciate the genuine support parents provide. Parenting involves more than just raising children; it’s about guiding them through life’s challenges with love and wisdom. Parents often face hardships to ensure their children avoid similar struggles. Their pride in their children’s achievements is unmatched by any external influence, such as a new relationship.
What should we expect from the parent-child relationship within a family? Do you envision parents who simply give birth, raise their children, and then allow them to act without any guidance or correction? Should parents refrain from addressing mistakes, allowing children to make poor decisions without intervention? If a child is on a harmful path, should parents just stand by and let them go? Is the ideal family dynamic one where children are raised and then left to their own devices, free to pursue whatever actions, good or bad, they choose? If this is the current ideology, it reflects a troubling shift in how we perceive family responsibilities and guidance.
Let us remain true to our Filipino values, which emphasize respect and family unity. Reject the temptation to conform to negative trends and remember the importance of maintaining strong, respectful familial bonds.
Excited for EJ Obiena and John Cabang! Let’s keep posted and support support support the team Philippines! #Olympics #Olympics2024
