Mayor Honey Lacuna led Manilans in congratulating and taking pride in Outstanding Manilan 2024 awardee Carlo Edriel Yulo, a Manila resident who won the first gold medal for the Philippines in the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, when he ruled the men’s artistic gymnastics floor exercise final at the Bercy Arena on Saturday night, Manila time.
Lacuna said that a hero’s welcome awaits Yulo in Manila, as the city government prepares to present him with a ‘key to the city,’ an award and a cash incentive, among others, for his feat.
It was learned that just last month, Yulo was also hailed as an ‘Outstanding Manilan’ during the awarding held at the Metropolitan Theater as the ultimate highlight of the celebration of Manila’s 453rd founding annviersary. The said ‘Gawad Manileno’ award was personally handed by Lacuna, Vice Mayor Yul Servo and Manila Sports Council (MASCO) head Roel de Guznan.
“A resident of Malate, Manila, Yulo has brought pride and glory to the country and most especially to his fellow Manilans. The City of Manila is so proud of you!” Lacuna said.
Servo meanwhile said that the Manila City Council, of which he is the Presiding Officer, is also gearing up to bestow on Yulo the recognition he deserves.
It will be recalled that Yulo and his Brother, Karl Edrew, were earlier feted by the MCC via a resolution authored by Councilor Numero Lim and Majority Floorleader Atty. Ernesto Isip, Jr., for having excelled in the Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships held in Uzbekistan on May 19, 2024.
Yulo is only the second Filipino athlete to win a gold medal in the Olympics, following weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who broought the country’s first gold medal during the 2021 edition of the Games in Tokyo.
Yulo is a two-time world champion and multiple Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games gold medal winner.
His father had reportedly said that Yulo’s achievement was the result of his four years of preparation.
After winning, Yulo was quoted as having stated: “I’m so overwhelmed. I’m feeling grateful for having this medal and for God. He protected me, as always… He gave me the strength to get through this kind of performance and perform this well.”
