Carlos Yulo and Chloe San Jose started their journey in 2020 when San Jose texted the gymnastics star on social media. What started as a simple text blossomed into a relationship in no time. Yet, several obstacles stood in the way of the couple meeting face-to-face for the first time. While the COVID-19 pandemic was the first obstacle, it wasn’t the biggest.

Since the Olympic gold medalist was training in Japan in 2020, Chloe San Jose started painstakingly saving money to see the gymnast. Not only was the trip an expensive proposition, but the lockdown and closed borders made it nearly impossible. However, the social media influence had gathered just enough to make it work after saving up for 2 years.

However, unlikely as it may sound, a gymnastics contest came to their rescue. “It was very timely in Vietnam because it had recently opened its borders for the SEA Games. Then I said, ‘I’ve saved up enough money, even though this is meant for Japan.’ So I used that money to go to Vietnam,” Carlos Yulo’s girlfriend said during her appearance on Toni Talks.

The 31st Southeast Asian Games also lined up perfectly because of the delay due to the COVID-19 lockdown. While the international event’s original schedule said it would start in November 2021, the lockdown delayed it to May 12, 2022. Those additional months helped the model save enough money to travel to Vietnam from Australia.

So, after nearly two years of interacting with one another online, Carlos Yulo and Chloe San Jose finally met in Hanoi, Vietnam. The couple went Instagram official during the event. However, the trip to Vietnam wasn’t just because they could meet in person. “I really wanted to support him and his dreams to compete in the Olympics,” the YouTuber told Toni Gonzaga.

With Chloe San Jose cheering him from the stands, the two-time Olympic gold medalist delivered an incredible performance at the 31st SEA Games. Caloy won five golds, including the all-around title, and two silvers. Yulo’s stellar performance made the couple’s first meeting even more memorable. Yet, while saving money was challenging, Chloe San Jose was no stranger to hardships.

Chloe San Jose learned to become self-sufficient before meeting Carlos Yulo

During her chat with Toni Gonzaga, the influencer recalled how she was forced to leave home at 18. While San Jose didn’t divulge the details of what forced her to leave, she mentioned growing up in a troubled household. “I really liked going to school. If I go to school, it means that I don’t have to spend time at home.” confessed the gymnast’s girlfriend.

Yet, despite her best efforts, things came to a boiling point one night during dinner when she was 18. “We were dining and suddenly got into an argument. And then they told me, ‘Just move out.'” added the influencer and model. The argument ultimately became so chaotic that she had to leave and didn’t even get the chance to bid her sister farewell.

So the influencer had no choice but to become self-sufficient at a young age. Thankfully, Chloe San Jose met Carlos Yulo shortly after leaving home and he was there to support her. Coincidentally, despite Olympic success things have become trouble at home for Yulo too. Shortly after making history as the first Filipino gymnast to win gold at the Olympics, Yulo made some explosive accusations.

The gymnast said his mother had been “draining” funds from his bank account. While the controversy has been distressing for everyone involved, Chloe San Jose has continued to support Carlos Yulo every day since their first meeting in Vietnam.