Meet Carlos Yulo’s P.E. teacher, first personal coach in elementary school
Carlos Yulo, now a two-time Olympic gold medalist, began his journey to world-class excellence as a young athlete in the Palarong Pambansa, competing as a public elementary school student.
Standing at 4’11”, Yulo made history in the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning gold in the men’s floor exercise and vault, becoming the first Filipino athlete to achieve such a feat. His success follows in the footsteps of Palarong Pambansa alumni like the late Lydia de Vega, Asia’s sprint queen.
Yulo’s gymnastics career started during his time at Aurora Quezon Elementary School (AQES) in Malate, Manila. His talent for tumbling, cartwheeling, and performing somersaults in physical education classes caught the attention of his P.E. teacher, Ezra Atienza-Canlas, who soon became his first personal coach.
Canlas, a Master Teacher II specializing in Home Economics, P.E., and the arts, nurtured Yulo’s potential from as early as Grade 1.
She fondly recalls how her young protégé balanced his studies, training, and love for computer games. During competitions, Canlas often served as Yulo’s second parent.
“Since the beginning, I handled Yulo’s school forms, from SF 1 to 7, and his report card,” Canlas reminisced, recalling Yulo as an eight-year-old boy who loved to do cartwheels and somersaults in neighborhood playgrounds.
This interview with Canlas took place at a burger joint near AQES on August 11, shortly after Yulo’s Olympic triumph. Canlas was attending a Regional Assembly of Educational Leaders (RAEL) seminar organized by the Department of Education when the news broke of Yulo’s historic wins.
TYPICAL KID
“Caloy was just like any other kid—playful but focused when it came to his studies,” Canlas shared. “His average grade in elementary was 88. He loved what he was doing, and all the teachers adored him. He was truly a teacher’s pet.”
Living just a short walk from AQES, Yulo often made his way to school on foot. Before every competition, he always felt the need to consult his mother, Angelica. Canlas fondly recounted a story of Yulo reaching out to his mother before a competition in Cebu years ago.
Yulo’s involvement in school activities extended beyond gymnastics. He was an active member of the Junior Red Cross Youth Council (RCYC) under the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) from 2009 to 2012 and was a cub scout with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP).
As AQES’s RCY adviser, Canlas proudly witnessed Yulo’s rise from local competitions like the Manila Meet to bigger gymnastics stages. “Yulo’s achievements inspire not just the Manila Red Cross Youth but the entire nation,” Canlas said. “After school, he would eat a quick meal and then head to the gym at the nearby Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.”
Watching Yulo compete in Paris brought back memories for Canlas. She said seeing him perform on the Olympic stage moved her to tears, and reminded her of the young boy she once guided.
After his elementary days, Yulo briefly attended Araullo High School in Taft Avenue, Manila, before transferring to Adamson University. There, he continued competing, excelling in gymnastics events.
In 2016, Yulo accepted a scholarship offer from the Japan Olympic Association, moving to Japan to train and hone his skills. He also continued his education, earning an associate degree in literature from Teikyo University in 2022.
GOING INTERNATIONAL
Yulo’s competitive career began in 2008, and by 2009, he was competing in the Palarong Pambansa in Tacloban, Leyte. He helped the National Capital Region team secure a gold medal and placed fifth in the individual all-around event. His determination grew stronger after winning a silver medal in the floor exercise.
The following years saw Yulo continue to shine in Palarong Pambansa events, winning multiple medals in gymnastics disciplines like the floor exercise, vault, and individual all-around. He also made his mark at the Philippine National Games, earning gold medals across different events.
In 2013, Yulo met his future coach, Munehiro Kugimiya, when Japanese trainers came to the Philippines to work with the national gymnastics team. This partnership would prove pivotal in Yulo’s ascent to international success.
Yulo made his senior international debut at the Melbourne World Cup, where he earned a bronze medal in vault. His success continued at the Baku and Doha World Cups, where he won silver medals. In 2018, Yulo became the first Filipino gymnast to qualify for a World Championships final, where he earned a bronze in the floor exercise.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Yulo finished fourth in his first event–the floor exercise final–and later redeemed himself with historic victories in the floor and vault exercises, capturing two gold medals and etching his name in the annals of Philippine sports.
Carlos Yulo’s journey, from tumbling in school playgrounds to dominating the world stage, is a testament to his hard work, determination, and the unwavering support of mentors like Teacher Ezra.
