A heart-to-heart conversation with Carlos Yulo’s parents, Angelica “Angge” Yulo and Mark “Duds” Yulo, completely changed my perspective on the situation they are currently facing.

On Monday, August 19, 2024, Angge and Duds visited my office, primarily out of courtesy to their family friend, Dr. Jeffrey Perida, a professor and official at the Philippine Christian University. Dr. Jeff had been a close friend of the Yulo family, often inviting them to celebrate whenever Carlos returned home from his training and competitions abroad. But this homecoming from the Olympics was different, overshadowed by unfortunate family issues.

My intention was to help facilitate a reconciliation, especially since Carlos and his fellow Paris Olympians were scheduled to visit the Senate that same day to receive the Senate Medal of Excellence.

Upon my invitation, Angge agreed to come to the Senate, with Duds accompanying her, but neither they nor Dr. Jeff knew that Carlos would also be there. Angge had only one condition: I could interview her, but no other media should be present.

They arrived by taxi, and I met them at the gate of the Senate building. I provided them with masks to help them go unnoticed. Because my office was too small for comfort, I took them straight to the office of a mutual family friend, Atty. Yeye, their fellow gymnastics parent whom Angge had informed earlier that day about her visit.

The reunion with Atty. Yeye was deeply emotional, especially for Duds, who couldn’t hold back his tears. They shared a bond built over years of supporting their children’s gymnastics journey, from their early years to adulthood.

When I mentioned that Carlos would be arriving soon and expressed my hope for a family reconciliation, Angge declined, saying the wounds were still too fresh and she wasn’t ready to face her son. She shared her side of the story, and as a mother, I completely understood her pain and hesitation.

Despite my failure to convince Angge and Duds to reconcile with their son, there was a positive aspect to their visit. They had the chance to meet and speak with Senator Robin Padilla—Duds’ idol—and Senator Jinggoy Estrada in the latter’s office on the sixth floor, where they could go straight to without being noticed by the media.

After their brief meeting, I quickly led Angge, Duds, and Dr. Jeff out of the building using the fire exit to avoid detection by the media, who were waiting for Carlos at the main entrance.

I hold on to the hope that the Yulo family will find their way back to one another.

I join the chorus that Carlos owes his family the love and respect they deserve.