Mark Andrew Yulo, the father of gymnastics pride Carlos Yulo, was spotted among the crowd during the heroes’ welcome parade for the two-time Olympic gold medallist and his fellow Filipino Olympians in Manila.
As seen on the livestream, the older Yulo excitedly smiled and waved with a banner held by other spectators that read, “Caloy dito papa mo!”, as he awaited the arrival of his son who was on a motorcade along with other Olympians traversing Manila and Pasay on Wednesday.
Carlos’ father had earlier expressed pride at his son for achieving his ultimate dream after years of hardwork and dedication.
“Deserve niya ‘yan. Dugo at pawis ‘yung pinaghirapan ni Caloy diyan, talagang gustong-gusto niya makuha ‘yan,” he was quoted as saying in a previous interview.
Meanwhile Rodrigo Frisco, the grandfather of Carlos Yulo, who has been credited as the person who first saw the athlete’s potential in gymnastics, couldn’t hide his excitement on welcoming his Olympian champion grandson back home.
In an interview with ABS-CBN on Tuesday, Frisco related how he’s excited to see his grandson after being away from his family for a long time.
“Oo excited talaga. Excited pa sa excited dahil matagal na namin siyang hindi nakita eh,” exclaimed Frisco.
“Minimithi talaga naming makita siya, lalong lalo na kung makakasama pa. Talagang gustong-gusto dahil matagal namin siyang hindi nakasama,” he added.
Frisco stressed how he takes pride in Carlos’ feat following the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024 where he clinched two golds from the men’s artististic gymnastics competition.
“Sobrang proud naman kasi napakahirap ng na-achieve niya. Talagang jusko [ang] lalaking bansa ang kinalaban. Hindi ko sukat akalaig isang maliit na bansa ang makakatalo sa kanila. ‘Yun sobrang proud para kaming hindi nakatungtong sa lupa,” he shared.
Yulo’s grandfather also shared his family and neigbors’ plans to personally watch the heroes’ welcome parade for Carlos and his fellow Filipino Olympians which traversed from Aliw Theatre to Rizal Memorial Complex on Wednesday.
“Siguro mga one hour or two hours before, nandodoon na ako or kaming lahat. Kung saan mas malapit siguro doon nalang kami. Pero kung hindi naman mabilis yung motorcade, maari kaming sumunod hanggang hindi kami pagod,” Rodrigo Frisco told ABS-CBN News on Tuesday.
Frisco earlier said they were not allowed to welcome Carlos upon his arrival at the Maharlika Airbase in Villamor, Pasay on Tuesday.
“Imbes na masaya sana kaming lahat nadismaya kami, dahil ready na kami sa pagsalubong eh,” he said.
Frisco also left advice to his grandson who is set to receive millions-worth of incentives from the government and private sectors.
“Sana Caloy ‘wag ka maapektuhan ng katanyagan mo ngayon…manatali kang simple person. At saka lagi kang magdadasal at magpapasalamat sa itaas,” he said.
