Angelica Yulo explains why she posted about Japanese gymnast, not her son Carlos Yulo

Angelica Yulo, the mother of two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, explained that she did not have any malicious intent when she posted on Facebook about a Japanese gymnast.

Angelica was bashed by netizens when she shared Rappler’s post about Japan winning the men’s gymnastics all-around event, while making no mention at all of her son Carlos who placed 12th overall. This was a huge improvement compared to Carlos’ Tokyo Olympics finish at 47th place.

Angelica used this as the caption for her controversial Facebook post which featured Japanese gymnast Shinnosuke Oka: “Japan pa [rin] talaga. Lakas.”

During her August 7 press conference, Angelica disclosed that she learned about Oka through her son Karl Eldrew who is also a gymnast.

“Yung [post ko na] Japan lang ang malakas…nabigyan ng ibang meaning ng mga tao.

“Natuwa lang po ako. Nakasama siya ni Eldrew sa Japan nung nag-training camp siya.

“Ang sabi ni Drew is he’s only 19 years old,” Angelica said about Oka who is now 20 years old and is the youngest member of the Japanese gymnastics team.

“Gusto ko lang ipaalam sa mga anak ko na ito ang gawin nilang motivation, para ma-boost rin yung confidence nila.”

Atty. Raymond Fortun, the legal counsel of Angelica, asked her: Did you intend to shade or tarnish the image of Carlos when she posted about Japan on Facebook?

“No,” she stressed. “Honestly, wala po talaga. Nung pinost ko siya, nagulat rin ako na 19 years old and first time niyang mag-Olympics, and yet, nakuha niya yung individual all-around.

“Wala yung para sabihin na i-degrade ko si Caloy [Carlos’s nickname] dahil siya yung pinost ko.”

Atty. Fortun asked: Did she not think that Carlos would get hurt because of what she posted?

Angelica answered, “Wala akong idea na bibigyan ng iba ng malicious ano yung post ko. Honestly, hindi ko naisip.”

When asked why she has not been posting about Carlos and his achievements, Angelica admitted, “Honestly, hindi na ako nagpo-post about him. Makikita niyo naman sa timeline ko sa Facebook account ko.

“Matagal na akong hindi nagpo-post. Asian Championships…wala po.”

When asked if this is because of her falling out with Carlos, Angelica nodded yes.

During the same press con, Angelica cried as she apologized to her estranged son Carlos. The 24-year-old gymnast made history as the country’s first ever male Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics during the August 3 floor exercise category and then in the vault category less than 24 hours later.

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