Life changed for Carlos Yulo the moment he earned his first Olympic gold in Paris. However, winning a second gold medal at his second Olympics elevated the 24-year-old to legendary status in his homeland. With two medals in Paris, Yulo made history as the first Filipino to achieve such a feat at the Olympics. Yet, despite that accomplishment, Yulo wasn’t prepared for just how much his life would change.

The Olympian’s girlfriend, Chloe San Jose, opened up on how their old lives got lost in the fame. “For sure, your life is different now compared to when you left,” said Tony Gonzaga while interviewing San Jose. After the couple returned to the Philippines, she saw her boyfriend get a celebrity’s reception. While Yulo was already popular among the gymnastics community, his fame multiplied manyfold.

San Jose got nostalgic reminiscing about their lives before the Paris Olympics. “It actually made me cry,” the 22-year-old said on the Toni Gonzaga Studio YouTube channel. Revealing her love for “cold drinks,” the influencer recounted how Carlos Yulo would often fetch her ice for downstairs. The couple would also pick up deliveries without any incident.

Yet, now, the gymnastics icon attracts crowds whenever people catch a glimpse of the Olympic champion. “Our simple lives changed. It’s not so simple anymore because he’s a Philippine Pride,” Chloe San Jose told the host. However, to say Chloe San Jose exaggerated Yulo’s popularity after the Olympics would be an understatement.

While Carlos Yulo was a stand-out in gymnastics, no one expected the athlete to do what he did. Not only is the 24-year-old the first gymnast to earn gold, but he is also the first Filipino to earn double gold in gymnastics. Shortly after his monumental achievement, the gymnast revealed he had lost thousands thanks to his mother draining his account. Yet, little did Yulo know he would make hundreds of times more than the money he lost.

The entire Philippines showed Carlos Yulo with gifts

The moment the Olympic gold medalist stepped foot in the Philippines, the rewards began to pour in. The Philippine government awarded Yulo 10 million pesos ($172,907), but that was just the start. He also received a three-bedroom condo in Manila, estimated to be worth 32 million pesos ($553,293).

While the government alone showered Chloe San Jose’s boyfriend with $700,000 dollars, everyone from private companies to small businesses wanted to show their gratitude to the Olympic vault champion. Toyota Motors gifted Carlos Yulo one of the multiple cars he got as gifts. Even businesses who couldn’t afford to give away Land Cruise Prados pitched in.

At least three different restaurants and fast food shops in the Philippines have promised a lifetime supply of free food. Hagemu Sushi and Ramen Bar, Vikings Luxury Buffet, and others have guaranteed that Caloy will never have to pay for meals at their establishments. These are just some of the countless gifts and perks the gymnast has received in his homeland. It’s easy to see why even the simple act of grabbing some ice cream can turn into a photo session with fans eager to meet Carlos Yulo in person.