The Filipino Golden boy Carlos Yulo is currently the talk of the gymnastics town. A vault and floor exercise gold medalist, he has presented much more than a teaser of his skills on the mat at the Paris Olympics. But while the world is currently admiring the glint of his gold medals, the 24-year-old has opened up on the friction that has long persisted within his family. Particularly, with his mother.

However, it seems Yulo is now extending the olive branch. The bitterness of his familial tensions might be leaving a sour taste in his mouth, possibly dulling the joy of his Olympic success. It’s evident that he wants to break free from this atmosphere of discord.

Carlos Yulo puts an end to his rift with his mother

In a recent interview, Yulo left a message for his mother, admitting that he has put the dark past behind him. He says, “My message to you, Ma, is to heal and move on. I forgave you a long time ago. I pray that you are always safe and in good health.”He further voiced, “Let’s stop this (bickering) and instead celebrate the hard work and sacrifices of every Filipino athlete here at the Olympics.” But why has he said and what was the crux of the matter?

Well, not one, but two reasons caused Carlos and his mother, Angelica Yulo, to drift apart a long time ago. First, according to Sports Inquirer, Yulo claimed that his mother, who had access to his bank accounts, was withdrawing money without his knowledge. He alleged that his incentives and gymnastics allowances were being transferred into her own account. This issue came to light when Yulo’s mother failed to inform him about his 2022 World Championship bonuses, and he suspected that the amount she quoted, P70,000, was much lower than the actual total, which should have been in the six-digit range given that he won two medals.

Angelica Yulo subsequently claimed that, as a parent, she had been saving the funds for a rainy day to ensure that Yulo wouldn’t run out of money in the future. However, the gymnast felt that these actions were happening without his consent. Additionally, not only did financial issues strain their relationship, but personal matters also exacerbated the situation. Angelica disapproves of Carlos’ girlfriend, Chloe, and has blamed her for their misunderstandings. According to Yulo, she also criticizes Chloe’s demeanor and lifestyle, despite never having met her in person. Yulo stands by his girlfriend, defending her as a reflection of her Filipino-Australian culture, having been raised in Melbourne.

Nonetheless, after Yulo’s recent message, all this appears to be water under the bridge. As he now turns the page, ready to pen a new, optimistic chapter.

Yulo’s philosophy: What doesn’t break you, only makes you stronger

Unfortunately, Carlos Yulo has many instances that may sound relatable to this adage. It mostly started in 2016, when Yulo’s personal life got caught in the eye of a fierce storm. His decision to stay close to his girlfriend in Manila, Philippines, in place of accepting the scholarship that the Japanese Olympic Association offered him, strained his ties with his family. The fact that he was giving his personal life precedence over gymnastics, did not settle well with them.

Subsequently, Yulo also switched coaching camps, parting ways with coach Mynehiro Kugimiya. Reports suggest this change was driven by Yulo’s need for more space and time for his personal life. In an exclusive interview with Rappler, Yulo mentioned that his relationship with his father is stable, with his father frequently visiting and keeping track of his gymnastics progress. Yulo also enjoys a close bond with his younger brother Eldrew, with whom he shares a passion for gymnastics. Do you think these changes could help revive Carlos’ close ties with his family? Let us know in the comments below.