Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo’s recent success at the Paris Olympics, where he secured two gold medals, has been overshadowed by a public dispute with his mother, Angelica Poquiz-Yulo. The conflict centres around her management of Yulo’s finances and her reported disapproval of his girlfriend, a TikTok content creator.
The feud has generated extensive media coverage, prompting calls for restraint from the public and press. Yulo, only the second Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal after weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in Tokyo 2020, has become a national hero. His achievements have further elevated his profile, with celebrations planned in Manila, a cash bonus of 20 million pesos ($350,000; £273,000) from the government, and promises of a luxury condominium and lifetime free meals from corporate sponsors.
However, just after his second gold medal win, reports emerged about an interview in which Ms Yulo defended her management of her son’s finances, claiming the money was deposited safely in a Manila bank. In response, Carlos Yulo released a TikTok video questioning the whereabouts of his past prize money and defending his girlfriend against his mother’s criticisms.
“My message to you, Ma, is I hope you heal and move on. I have forgiven you a long time ago. I pray that you are always safe and sound,” Yulo stated in the video.
NNEOMA UDENSI
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