Philippines’ Carlos Edriel Yulo reacts after winning the artistic gymnastics men’s floor exercise final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on August 3, 2024. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Team Philippines double gold medalist Carlos Yulo clarified the root cause of the rift with his mother Angelica Yulo in a controversy that spread like wildfire following his historic campaign in the Paris Olympics 2024.

Yulo, sitting beside his girlfriend Chloe Anjeleigh San Jose, addressed the issue directly in a Tiktok video, saying that his mother Angelica allegedly had not disclosed to him all the withdrawals she had made from his bank accounts that she had been handling on his behalf.

Yulo said that his mother had been handling his finances–which included all the allowances and incentives from his victories–until he decided to take over the bank account.

“Apart from the incentives, my mom also had access to my bank account and my monthly allowances for gymnastics. When I finally got control of that bank account, I found out she had been draining it. I have the bank statements showing the withdrawals she made,” Yulo said in Filipino.

In an interview with Bombo Radyo earlier this week, Angelica Yulo detailed her dealings regarding his son’s finances, making financial moves–including withdrawing money from Carlos’ account to transfer to hers–which she said was to safeguard the star gymnast’s future.

“So, it was given to me. As a mother, I felt that my child might run out of money in the future,” Angelica said in Filipino. “So, what I did was deposit it under my name at BPI here in Vito Cruz. Then, I held on to it and turned it into a bond for a credit card.”

Carlos Yulo, though, said he wouldn’t even have known that he had early received his incentives–singling out his campaign in the 2022 World Championships where he took home two medals–if he hadn’t come looking for them.

“The P70,000 incentives she mentioned from the World Championships in 2021, first of all, it was actually in 2022. I didn’t just receive P70k; I know it was a six-digit amount because I won two medals.

“After that, around December, I went back to the Philippines, and I met with my mom. She didn’t tell me that she had already received my incentives from the World Championships.

Carlos Yulo’s parents Angelica Yulo and Mark Andrew Yulo during the 2024 PSA Awards. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“I wouldn’t have known she received the incentives if I hadn’t looked for them. I never received those incentives and never asked for them. I gave it up, but I just want to know where those incentives went.”

Carlos said that the amount of money was irrelevant to their financial rift.

“The principle here isn’t the amount, but about the fact that incentives were hidden and used without my consent.”

Angela Yulo said that her son has gotten all his money in “full”

“At that time, I should have suggested we open a joint account. But I never said that. I didn’t do it. For me, I know he worked hard for that money. He should spend it in a way that makes him happy.

“Because, at the end of the day, he should be the one benefiting from all his hard work.

“Caloy got his money, a total of P11 million, in full from BDO. He received it.”

‘Judging’ Chloe

Carlos Yulo and his girlfriend Chloe Anjeleigh San Jose celebrate the gymnast’s gold medal win in the Paris Olympics 2024. –Chloe Anjeleigh San Jose Instagram

Angelica Yulo also said that Carlos’ girlfriend San Jose is the “root” of her issues with her son, and that’s a claim the Olympian did not deny.

“She said our misunderstanding started because of Chloe. That’s true. Ever since the beginning, she didn’t like Chloe, even though she hadn’t met or seen her in person. Our relationship worsened when I started setting boundaries. I stood up for Chloe because I like her.”

Yulo, though, also addressed how his mother had judged San Jose’s demeanor and style right off the bat.

Carlos also clarified that San Jose, a Filipino-Australian living in Melbourne, is using her own earnings to bankroll her lifestyle and travel.

“She judged Chloe right away because of how she dressed and acted. Chloe and I grew up in different environments. Chloe grew up in Australia, and that’s the culture she knows. It’s very different from how we move, talk, and dress in the Philippines.

“First of all, Chloe has her own income. Everything you see her using and all her travels come from her hard work.

“And why would I run out of money? As I said, Chloe has her own income, and all my bank accounts were controlled by my mom. There have been instances where Chloe had to support me financially.”

Amid the rift between Carlos Yulo and his mother, San Jose has been the gymnast’s main support system in Paris during the Olympics. She was seen attending Carlos Yulo’s matches in France.

‘Heal, move on’

Carlos Yulo, of the Philippines, celebrates on the podium after winning the gold medal during the men’s artistic gymnastics individual vault finals at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

With Yulo still celebrating his victory in Paris and the Summer Games still in full swing, the most bemedalled Olympian from the Philippines has one wish.

“My message to you, Ma, is to heal and move on. I forgave you a long time ago. I pray that you are always safe and in good health.

Let’s stop this (bickering) and instead celebrate the hard work and sacrifices of every Filipino athlete here at the Olympics.”

But that’s not to say that Yulo would easily forget about his mother’s words that he deemed were hurtful.

“In a recent interview, you congratulated me. If you were truly genuine, Ma, thank you very much. I acknowledge your congratulations. But I still remember the hurtful things you said to me and how you didn’t wish me well. Those words really stuck with me,” Carlos said.

Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024.