IN another feather to his bulging cap, pint-sized gymnastics ace Carlos Edriel Yulo was cited yesterday by the Senate “as one of the best gymnasts that the Philippines has produced” in a resolution principally authored by Senate President Miguel Zubiri and co-authored by all of the other senators.
“What Hidylin Diaz is to weightlifting and Efren “Bata” Reyes is to billiards, Caloy (Yulo’s nickname) is to gymnastics, thereby honoring the country with his quest of excellence in the sport,” Senate Resolution 40 signed by Zubiri said.
“I have no doubt that other many other Filipinos athletes have been inspired to work just as hard to pursue their athletic interests just as seriously as what Caloy has done. That he continually inspires the youth is a triumph in itself,” he added.
Among those present during the session who asked their names be affixed to the resolution were Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, Jinggoy Estrada, Francis Tolentino, Robin Padilla, siblings Allan Peter and Pia Cayetano, Sonny Angara, Bato dela Rosa, Bong Go, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Irwin Gatchalian.
Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion and national teammates Juan Miguel Besana and Justine Ace de Leon witnessed Yulo being awarded the citation.
“Sa kabila ng kanyang matinding kalungkutan sa pag-eensayo sa Tokyo, si Caloy ay hindi nagpatalo, bagkus nagpatuloy ang kanyang disiplina at paghihirap upang tuparin ang kanyan pangarap,” Estrada said as he paid tribute to Yulo.
“Aside from being an outstanding gymnast, he is also a person of character,” Dela Rosa said while Padilla pointed out that “kahit si Caloy ay maliit, ito pinatunayan niyang malaki ang karangalang naiambag niya sa ating bansa.”
“I am proud to have received this citation of recognition. This is not for me but for Philippine gymnastics,” said Yulo, who arrived last Friday from his training and studies in the Japanese capital of Tokyo to personally receive the award.
Carrion said Yulo will stay in the country until he leaves with Besana on Feb. 19 for the first leg of the World Cup series set Feb. 23 to 26 in Cottbus, Germany.
“I will see action in rings, parallel bars, floor exercise and vault event,” Yulo said of his first international competition that will serve as part of his build-up for the 52nd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium in September.
The world meet will serve as a major qualifying competition for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
