MANILA – From leaping together to exploring the world, Eldrew Yulo is grateful to have his 'kuya' Carlos by his side not just in gymnastics but also in the game of life.
The Yulo siblings have been training together as they prepare to compete in men's artistic gymnastics at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan next month.
More than having his older brother and two-time Olympic gold medalist help improve his skills, Eldrew said Carlos and their siblings have been his strongest support system.
The 18-year-old admitted he still doubts himself, despite already bagging an FIG World Cup gold and Asian Championships bronze early in his senior career.
But Eldrew said having a strong support system helps him turn his doubts into motivation, his fears into faith especially in himself.
Brothers Carlos and Eldrew Yulo. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
"Mas na-lessen po 'yung doubt ko sa sarili ko. Even before kasi I was doubtful po talaga. When I was junior po, like, kaya ko ba ito? Kaya ko bang manalo? Kakayanin ko ba? Parang hindi ako naniniwala sa sarili ko," he told ABS-CBN News.
"Buti na lang may mga taong nakasuporta po sa akin and 'yung support system ko po is sobrang lakas. So natuturn nila 'yung table... is parang, instead of thinking about this, you should think about this po," Eldrew shared.
The younger Yulo said the two-time Olympic gold medalist also taught him how to strike a balance between life and sports.
Eldrew cited their family's first overseas trip to Melbourne, Australia as a period to rest, recharge before their next major competition.
"Ganun pala 'yung feeling. 'Yung saya ko kasi super, 'di ko ma-explain... There's life. Meron pa palang buhay na ganun. Parang akong ignorante na tao na may buhay palang ganito. So, super nagpapasalamat po ako kay Ate Chloe and kay Kuya Caloy, kay kuya Josh, kay ninang Al," he shared.
Brothers Carlos and Eldrew Yulo. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Following the trip, Carlos hopes his younger siblings were able to gain a better perspective of life and learn how to balance it with gymnastics.
"You have to have the balance po talaga of what life is and what is 'yung sport is. Parang magkaiba talaga siya. Nakakaumay 'pag puro gymnastics na lang din. And puro 'yun at 'yun lang din. So 'yung trip na ganun po, and 'yung ano po ba 'yun, vacation na ganun, nakaka-recharge talaga siya," the elder Yulo said.
"I feel like, nai-share ko 'yun sa kanila. And kasama nila ako na nag-travel. Which is a good thing also. Kasi mas naga-guide sila. Mas nalaman nila 'yung meaning ng life. Mas nalaman nila 'yung meaning ng fulfillment and 'yung salitang enjoy," Carlos added.
The 26-year-old bemedalled gymnast shared a heartfelt message to his younger brother, as Eldrew continues to navigate life as an athlete and individual.
"Together, both, as a teammate din also, or as a kuya. Marami pa tayo talagang kailangan na explore. Maraming pa tayong kailangan matutunan sa gymnastics. Mas maraming pa tayong talagang kailangan matutunan sa sarili. And naniniwala ako na hindi lang siya manalo sa Olympics. Hindi lang talaga 'yun 'yun," Carlos said.
"To really share 'yung maging experience natin. Both as athletes and as Eldrew and as Caloy. Siguro mas marami pa tayong kailangan tulungan din na mga kabataan talaga... 'Yun sana maging mindset na meron ka to really give back sa people. Bilang gymnast ngayon siguro mas galingan natin together. Not just for us but for the whole Filipinos na naniniwala sa amin, na nagdadasal sa amin na manalo tayo sa mga competition," he added.
Brothers Carlos and Eldrew Yulo. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
For his part, Eldrew was full of gratitude to his older brother Carlos for all his advice inside and outside of gymnastics.
"As a teammate and as an athlete, thank you for sa lahat ng experience na tinitip mo sa akin. Of course, di pa ako masyadong eksperyensiyado lalo na sa mental ko and then di rin ako eksperyensiyado sa lahat ng competition," he said.
"Super na-appreciate ko lahat ng mga bagay na binibigay mo na tips. And hindi lang sa gymnastics, of course, pati sa life. Sobra kong na-appreciate and sobra kong pinag-aaralan kahit sobrang bagal lang ng adaptation ko," the younger Yulo added.
Eldrew hopes to continue improving and competing alongside his brother, as they seek to reach greater heights in the sport they both love.
"Super talaga ako nagpapasalamat. Wala akong ibang masabi kundi magpasalamat lang dahil you became my inspiration since I was like 8? Yeah! It's been like ilang years na? 10 years?," he shared.
"Super, super proud ako sa'yo dahil 'yung natupad mo 'yung pangarap mo na magiging Olympic medalist. Of course, given na 'yun. And super happy ako sa life mo na meron ka ngayon. 'Yan lang. And sana we share experience sa lahat ng bagay," the 18-year-old said.
Ahead of their next challenge at the Asiad and qualifying competitions for the Olympics, Carlos is looking forward to competing alongside his brother and hopefully bring glory to the Philippines.
"Yeah, let's do our best! And bigay natin ito kay Lord lahat," the two-time Olympic gold medalist said.