Cynthia Carrion, the accommodating president of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), offered only one but could be the most heartwarming advice to Paris Olympic double gold medalist gymnast Carlos ‘Caloy’ Yulo – stay humble.
“He is now the toast of the town. A modern hero, admired by everyone. Huwag lalaki ang ulo! I told him to remain down to earth, remained humble, huwag magiging mayabang,” said Carrion in an interview while waiting for Yulo and the rest of the members of the Paris Olympic Team’s arrival at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) ground.
Yulo’s group got the taste of Manileno's hospitality and accolades as they paraded in the city’s busiest streets and national highway Wednesday afternoon for the homecoming parade hosted by Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo.
Yulo and company arrived Tuesday night via a chartered flight from London via Dubai to Villamor Airbase in Pasay City where they received a red-carpet welcome, then immediately went straight to Malacanang to personally receive the congratulatory messages and the cash incentives from President Ferdinand ‘BongBong’ Marcos, Jr.
“There’s a small misunderstanding with some members of his family right now. I hope it can be settled as soon as possible. I just reminded Caloy, that he should be the one to extend the olive branch. Be humble always,” stressed Carrion, who took Caloy in her care at the early age of nine years old.
And as fate had it, Caloy expressed his humble gratitude to his father Mark Andrew in his Facebook post just after the parade ended.
"Maraming salamat Pa, masaya ako nakita kita don nakasuporta! Pasensya na pa hindi ako masyado nakakaway, ang daming nag pa authograph hehe. Kitakits soon Pa,” said Yulo.
His message attached a photo of his father embedded among thousands of fans waiting at Roxas Boulevard behind a big sign “Caloy dito papa mo”.
The celebration for Caloy’s victory has just begun. And Carrion is keeping her fingers crossed that all’s well that ends well for the Yulo’s family.
