Reaping medals in his debut this 30th Southeast Asian Games, Carlos Yulo might as well be considered as the Crown Prince of Philippine gymnastics.
The teenager followed a gold medal-winning performance at the World Championships of artistic gymnastics with amother memorable run in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games where Yulo won a pair of gold and five silver medals.
Fame naturally follows success and droves of fans trooped to Rizal Memorial Coliseum to witness the current toast of Philippine sports in action.
Everybody wanted a piece of Yulo; And that includes the press, who tirelessly chased Yulo around while coaches led the boy wonder from the stage to a waiting van.
But for those who know Yulo from the very beginning, he'll always be good old "Caloy." "Sobrang saya, sobrang saya," said Rodrigo Frisco, Yulo's grandfather, as he saw his apo proudly draped in the Philippine flag each time he climbed the podium.
A country celebrating Yulo's triumphs really owe this old man a debt of gratitude. Frisco was one of those who helped Yulo get started in the sport, taking him to the nearby Rizal Memorial Complex to see if he took a liking to gymnastics.
"Alaga ko siya buhat ng pinanganak. Seven years old, dinala ko siya dito [sa Rizal Memorial Sports Complex] dahil tumbling nang tumbling doon sa lugar namin," said Frisco. "May nagsabi sa akin na dalhin ko dito sa gymnastics. Natanggap naman sila. 'Yon na 'yong start," he added.
Unfortunately, not even close family members like Frisco could get a chance to celebrate this victory with their beloved Caloy. And Lolo Frisco isn't alone: other family members and friends are being denied the chance to savor this triumph by the huge fanfare surrounding Yulo.
But he's not complaining. Seeing his apo this successful and famous brings unmatched joy to Mang Rodrigo.