WORLD STAGE The Philippine flag is hoisted and the country’s national anthem is played at Bercy Arena in Paris as gymnast Carlos Yulo receives the gold medal in the men’s vault event of the 2024 Olympics on Aug. 4. A day earlier, Yulo got his first gold by ruling the floor exercise event. —Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — Another medal expressing the nation’s gratitude awaits celebrated Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo, who made Philippine sports history by winning two gold medals in the 2024 edition of the Olympic Games in Paris, France.
Several senators on Monday filed resolutions conferring on the 24-year-old Yulo the Senate Medal of Excellence, the highest expression of national appreciation, for his outstanding achievement of being the first-ever Filipino athlete to win two gold medals in succession in the world’s premier sporting event.
READ: Gymnast Carlos Yulo gives PH its second Olympic gold
The medal is “an expression of public gratitude on behalf of the nation” that is conferred upon “deserving Filipinos for setting the highest standards of excellence, nationalism, and virtue that their fellow countrymen can aspire for.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos also congratulated Yulo for his victory.
“No words can express how proud we are of you, Caloy. You have achieved gold for the Philippines not once, but twice,” Marcos said in a post on his social media account, calling Yulo by his nickname.
“Filipinos all over the world stood united, cheering and rooting for you. We are proud of your shining success,” he added.
“Watching you win that gold in real time for the second time was incredible,” the first lady said in a separate post.
Outstanding achievement
No announcement, however, has been made on Yulo’s homecoming.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Majority Leader Francis Tolentino and Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Joel Villanueva filed separate resolutions seeking to confer the Senate Medal of Excellence on Yulo.
“Yulo’s outstanding achievement at the world’s biggest sporting event should be celebrated by the entire nation as it is a testament to the excellent skill and unyielding spirit of the Filipinos. His glorious success is a shining example of what hard work, discipline, perseverance, and commitment to excellence can accomplish,” Estrada said in his Senate Resolution No. 1103.
He said the world-class gymnast has brought immense pride, joy and honor to the Filipino nation, truly deserving of the Senate’s highest commendation.
“Mr. Yulo has made the country proud for his record-breaking achievements at the 2024 Summer Olympics. His world-class talent, unwavering determination and commitment to excellence, and masterful performance merit the highest recognition from this august chamber,” Villanueva’s Resolution No. 1105 read.
Tolentino filed Resolution No. 1106 seeking the accolade for Yulo’s “exceptional achievement,” making history for Philippine gymnastics “by becoming the country’s first double Olympic gold medalist, showcasing his grit and talent as he reigned supreme in the floor exercises and men’s vault final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.”
“With the Senate Medal of Excellence, we are recognizing Caloy not just for his extraordinary skill and talent, but also for his patriotism. This is our way of thanking him for proudly carrying our flag and showing the world the heart and spirit of the Filipino people,” Zubiri said as he filed his own Resolution No. 1108.
He added that with Yulo’s historic Olympic victories, he has become “one of the greatest Filipino athletes of all time.”
Other senators also paid tribute to Yulo.
“His victory lifted our spirits and made us hopeful as a nation. We similarly congratulate our athletes who braved the hurdles in their respective sports, and we will continue to cheer those who are still in the games,” Sen. Grace Poe said in a statement.
Sen. Imee Marcos thanked Yulo “for inspiring the Filipino youth and all others yearning to fulfill their dreams.”
Sleepless night
In winning his second gold medal, Yulo shrugged off a sleepless night to win in the men’s vault, 24 hours after claiming the floor title.
“It’s crazy because last night I couldn’t sleep. I was so hyped because I had won that gold medal on floor,” Yulo said. “It still didn’t sink in. This morning I was so sleepy, I didn’t know what to do.”
Prior to Yulo’s heroics in Paris, the Philippines had only ever won one gold medal at the Olympics.
He singlehandedly tripled that tally over one weekend with two stunning performances.
Yulo’s Cebuano coach, Allen Aldrin Castañeda, is also getting a hero’s welcome from his hometown Cebu.
Castañeda, a resident of Barangay Hipodromo in Cebu City, was among the Cebuano coaches who helped Yulo achieve two Olympic golds.
While Yulo was identified with Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya, there were at least three Cebuano coaches who helped him reach his goal in the Olympics.
Aside from Castañeda, the two others who handled Yulo were Ricardo Otero and Joel Panugalinog.
“Congratulations to our Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo for bagging two golds,” said Cebu City acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.
“But the wind beneath his wings is a Cebuano from Barangay Hipodromo: Coach Aldrin. Congratulations to you. You are a proud Cebuano,” he added.
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“We will give you a hero’s welcome when you come back here in the city of Cebu.” —with reports from Nestle Semilla-Dakay and Agence France-Presse
Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024.
