Spending time with Angelica “Angge” Yulo and Mark “Duds” Yulo, parents of Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, gave me new insights into the challenges the family currently faces. Their candidness and honesty during our conversation helped me understand the complexities of their family’s situation.

On Monday, August 19, 2024, Angge and Duds visited my office. This visit was made out of courtesy to their longtime friend, Dr. Jeffrey Perida, a professor and official at the Philippine Christian University. Dr. Jeff has been a close friend to the Yulo family for many years, often inviting them to gatherings whenever Carlos returned from international training and competitions. However, this particular homecoming after the Paris Olympics was different, clouded by ongoing family difficulties.

My hope was to mediate and help the family find a way to reconnect, particularly because Carlos and the other Olympians were scheduled to visit the Senate that same day to receive the Senate Medal of Excellence. Eager for the family to reconcile, I invited Angge to come to the Senate, with Duds joining her. Neither they nor Dr. Jeff were aware that Carlos would be present that day. Angge had only one condition for her visit: I could interview her, but no other members of the media should be present.

I met them at the Senate Building’s entrance, and they arrived by taxi. To avoid unwanted attention, I handed them masks. Given that my office space was limited, I brought them straight to the office of Atty. Yeye, their family friend and fellow gymnastics parent, whom Angge had informed earlier that day of her visit.

The reunion with Atty. Yeye was filled with emotion. Duds, in particular, found it difficult to hold back his tears. Their shared experiences over many years, supporting their children’s journey through gymnastics from early childhood to adulthood, created a strong bond among them.

When I brought up Carlos’s imminent arrival and suggested the possibility of a family reunion, Angge gently refused. She explained that the wounds were still too fresh, and she was not ready to face her son. As a mother, I understood her pain and hesitation.

Although my efforts to facilitate a reunion were unsuccessful, the visit wasn’t without its positives. Angge and Duds had the opportunity to meet Senator Robin Padilla, Duds’ idol, and Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada in the latter’s office. After their closed door meeting, I quickly escorted Angge, Duds, and Dr. Jeff out of the building through a side exit to avoid the media, who were stationed at the main entrance awaiting Carlos’s arrival.

Despite the circumstances, I remain hopeful that the Yulo family will find their way back to each other. I share the belief that Carlos should recognize the love and respect his family deserves.