Rodrigo Frisco, the grandfather of Paris Olympics double gold medalist for artistic gymnastics Carlos Yulo, in an interview with ABS-CBN News in their home in Manila on August 13, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — It’s business as usual for the family of Olympic champion Carlos Yulo, even as the Filipino gymnast is being feted in a heroes’ parade in Manila on Wednesday afternoon.

Yulo’s grandfather, Rodrigo Frisco, said they opted to stay in their home near Leveriza St. in Malate, Manila.

Frisco told ABS-CBN News on Tuesday he would watch the parade from Quirino Avenue, which is the closest street part of the route.

Yulo’s grandfather said on Wednesday they will remain in their house instead.

“Oo, nakaplano din sana kami pumunta. Pero napagisip isip namin magmumukha kaming kawawa dun dahil hindi na kami pinasalubong ng pagdating niya. What more, kung diyan para lang kaming fans niya. Kaya naisip namin kahit diyan sa float niya, sa parada niya ‘di narin kami pupunta,” he said.

(We were originally planning to go [to the parade.] However, we thought that we might look desperate since we already did not welcome him back during the arrival rites. What more at the parade, we will just look like his fans. That’s why we thought of not going to the float, the parade for him.)

Frisco said other immediate family members of Yulo will also not be able to watch the parade due to work or training.

He shared on Tuesday that a tarpaulin with a congratulatory and welcome home message for Carlos as well as a standee was prepared should they attend the arrival rites.

Meantime, Yulo’s uncle Joma Poquiz and grandfather of Brendo Solomon Poquiz said they are planning to watch the parade.

Joma said they do not have anything grand planned for Carlos, but they look forward to seeing him again after so long.

“Congratulations siyempre. Di natin alam [kung maririnig ako] sobrang daming magaantay sa kanya eh. Baka yung buong Quirino mapuno yan. Kasi halos lahat ng barangay dito naghihintay sa kanya,” he said.

(Congratulations, of course. We don’t know if he will hear me because a lot of people will be waiting for him. I think the whole Quirino [Avenue] will be filled with people because most of the barangays here are waiting for him.)

Joma shared that he witnessed Yulo’s younger days, when he played at the nearby playground.

“Super proud ako diyan sobra simula bata palang yan maliit pa. Saka yan talaga yung passion niya gymnastics. Sa playground palang. Hindi pa ganyan yung playground dati, naglalaro na yan diyan, Poquiz added.

(I’m super proud of him [Carlos] even from when he was young. Gymnastics is really his passion, even when he played in the playground. When the playground was still there, he used to play there a lot.)

Brendo echoed the sentiment, saying he’s happy Carlos achieved his dream.

“Proud na proud ako kasi maliit pa yan, nung nagaano pa yan sa playground sa Paraiso ng Batang Maynila, nag ppractice lang yan. Ang sabi ko sa kanya, pag butihan mo yan apo. Ayun pinagbutihan niya naman hanggang maano yung kanyang tugatog para manalo,” he shared.

(I’m very proud [of Caloy] because when he was still young, he used to play at the Paraiso ng Batang Maynila playground, he would practice [tumbling] there. I told him to keep going. So he kept on practicing his craft until he reached the peak of success.)

The Yulo family inside their house in Leveriza. Rom Anzure, ABS-CBN News

“Maganda naman siguro kung may pagkakataon mabigyan niya ako ng pagkakataon makausap. Okay lang, apo ko parin siya eh,” Poquiz added.

(It would be great if I would get the chance to speak with him. He’s still my grandson.)

Some residents in the area like Dennis Medina said they will watch the parade with his children along Quirino Avenue, which is close to his home.

“Kakaway kami ng todo niyan, isisigaw namin yung pangalan niya. Siyempre suntok sa buwan na magkaginto tayo tapos dalawa pa, diba? Proud na proud talagang batang Leveriza yan, solid yan,” he said.

(We will wave our hands and we will scream his name. Of course it’s a rare occurrence that we get gold [in the Olympics] and he got two. Of course we’re very proud, he’s a kid from Leveriza.)

Medina said they are planning to hold up a sign so that Yulo can see them better.

He hopes the playground where Yulo used to play and tumble will be brought back to its former glory so younger kids can also go there.

“Dapat nga ibalik yung playground diyan eh para balik ulit yung mga bata eh. Dahil diyan nahubog siya [Carlos] tapos nakilala siya ngayon sa buong mundo na may Pilipinong gymnast naka gold,” Medina he added.

(They should bring back the playground there so that the kids can play there again. That’s where Carlos first honed his skills until he became a household name in the world, a Filipino gymnast who won gold.)