In 2007, it all changed. Seven-year-old Carlos Yulo walked into the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex holding his grandfather’s hand, unaware this would alter his whole life. Harboring a keen interest in gymnastics—watching his older brother who’s also a gymnast—it was Yulo’s grandfather  who first realized his grandson had a gift. As the boy had no training, he did nothing but tumble. He was reportedly “ignored” before Cynthia Carrion, the president of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, took a leap of faith. It was at that moment that both Yulo and Carrion started a journey.

“I spotted him. Very dedicated. He wanted only to tumble, but he was very dedicated,” Carrion told GMA Public Affairs. “I said, ‘Carlos! You join the young pinoy,’ that’s only 12 years and under. He joined with that coach won a medal,” the GAP president said in August. However, Carlos Yulo’s ‘second mother’ had no clue just how expensive the prodigy’s gymnastics journey would get.

As Yulo’s progressed as a gymnast, GAP assisted the gymnast with funding. The Manila native came from a middle-class family and had three other children besides the competitive gymnast. While they couldn’t fund the exorbitant cost of competing in international competitions, Carrion and the GAP came to the rescue. Yet after a point, even the government organization ran out.

“In the making of a champion, we needed a lot of funding, and I started to search for funds. Unfortunately, I did not realize that I would become a professional beggar.” Cynthia Carrion told Rappler. Yet the athlete’s second mother had no qualms even while struggling to secure funds for Carlos Yulo. The 2024 WSS awardee even called herself a “stylish beggar.”

At one point, Carrion reportedly even paid out of pocket to fund the young boy’s dreams. When Yulo’s former coach Munehiro Kugimiya started his coaching duty in the Philippines, it was the GAP President who funded Yulo’s training for a whole year before the Philippines Sports Commission decided to take over. It was a struggle as no one paid attention to gymnastics,” Cynthia had later vented of the difficult situation.

However, given the limitations of the PSC budget, they could only pay for the coach, prompting Cynthia to step in again. As Yulo started competing internationally, the GAP official would pay for his therapist Junpei Konne’s travel and other expenses, too. She later credited Kugimiya for giving the 24-year-old “the discipline and skill” and also thanked Konne for heling her prodigy cope with the solitary life he had chosen. During the gymnast’s struggling phase, he reportedly trained for six to eight hours a day, six days a week, and wouldn’t return home except for birthdays and Christmas.

As per reports, the Cynthia also helped Carlos enroll at the Teikyo University in Japan, where he’s on a sports scholarship.

“Caloy was determined to succeed to give his parents a better home and his passion for the sport was incredible. For my part, I provided the finances and international PR. Honestly and in all humility, without any one of us, there would be no gold or world recognition.”

As for Cynthia, she’s also a lady with many talents…Her LinkedIn profile reveals she’s been the Commissioner of the PSC for three years (2000 to 2003), Undersecretary of the Department of Tourism (2003-2010). She’s been at the helm of GAP since 2011.

For the veteran who spent her whole life associated with the sport and enjoyed acting as a wind behind the prodigy’s sails. “I always tell them we’re going to win a medal for them,” revealed the GAP president. However, her statement wasn’t just a pitch to secure funding; it was something believed and reiterated for years.

Cynthia Carrion predicted Carlos Yulo’s Olympic success half a decade ago!

During her interview with GMA Public Affairs, the news outlet showed a clip of the former gymnast from 2019. The clip was from another GMA interview where the GAP president spoke about Yulo. “I promise you. Listen to me. He’s gonna get the Olympic gold,” Cynthia Carrion told GMA. While the 24-year-old didn’t fulfill that goal at Tokyo 2020, it only took him a few more years.

Thankfully, Carlos Yulo is aware and grateful for all the sacrifices that his ‘second mother’ made for his career. “Ma’am Cynthia, she fought a lot of people to be able to support me. She is like a parent to me,” said the most decorated Filipino gymnast after his victories in Paris. During her conversation with Rappler, the only Filipino to win an IOC trophy, she also hinted at their future.

Cynthia Carrion explained that the two-time world champion plans to continue till LA 2028, where he plans to win all-around gold. While we don’t know if the gymnastics star from the Philippines will pull that off, we do know that his second mother will be beside him no matter the outcome.