Gymnast Carlos Yulo made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics as the first Filipino to have two back-to-back gold medals.
Yulo scored 15.116 points during the men's vault finals event on Aug. 4, Manila time, beating Armenia's Davtyan (14.966) and Great Britain's Hepworth (14.946).
A day before that, he dominated the gymnastics men's floor exercise finals, scoring 15.000 during his pet event. Israel's Artem Dolgopyat finished silver with 14.966 and Britain's Jake Jarman got bronze with 14.933.
Yulo is thesecond Filipino athlete to ever win a gold medalat the Olympics after weightlifterHidilyn Diaz at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Several rewards, cash and in-kind, await Yulo for his historic feat. For one, Republic Act No. 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, states that individual Filipino Olympic medalists shall receive P10,000,000 for each gold medal, P5,000,000 for silver, and P2,000,000 for bronze. Gold medalists will also receive an Olympic Gold Medal of Valor from the Philippine Sports Commission.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. matched the incentives given to the medalists by the government, giving Yulo another P20 million.
The House of Representatives awarded Yulo P14 million for the double win (P3 million for each gold and P8 million from over 300 House members), as well as a congressional medal recognizing his significant contribution to Philippine sports.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino, for his part, pledged to Yulo and the rest of the medalists a house and lot, just like what it did at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Aside from that, some brands and establishments from the private sector also declared their respective rewards for Yulo.
3-bedroom condo unit, house and lot
Megaworld previously announced that it will be rewarding each Filipino Olympic winner with a two-bedroom fully-furnished condominium unit. But after Carlos' win on Aug. 4, the real estate company announced that it has upgraded the reward to a fully-furnished three-bedroom unit at McKinley Hill with a total value of P32 million, plus a cash bonus of P3 million for "being the first Filipino athlete to get two gold Olympic medals."
Century Properties Group announced that it is giving Yulo a house and lot worth P6 million at its PHirst Editions Batulao project in Nasugbu, Batangas. The house the winning Olympian will receive is a single attached home, coincidentally named Charles (translating to Carlos in Spanish).
Brand new car
Toyota announced that it's giving Yulo a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado following his feat. "We hope this vehicle helps bring you to greater heights. We are excited to see where your journeys can further take you," it said in a Facebook post.
Cash prize
Aside from the P20 million from the government, P20 million from Marcos Jr., P14 million from the House, P3 million from Megaworld, and P5 million from ArenaPlus. Bounty Fresh Group Holdings Inc., the chicken products that owns Chooks-to-Go, also vowed to give Yulo P3 million. It said the cash reward is the brand's way of recognizing Yulo's extraordinary talent.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna also promised to give Yulo P2 million for his two gold medals.
"Hindi matatawaran ang iyong pagod at hirap na dinanas mo upang makamit ang tagumpay na iyong natanggap. Lagi mong tatandaan na nandito ang iyong tahanan, ang Lungsod ng Maynila, lagi sa iyong likod, handang tumulong sa iyong paglalakbay tungo sa iyong tagumpay," she wrote.
Businessman Chavit Singson also pledged P5 million to Yulo for his family reunion.
Yulo now has P72 million as of writing!
A lifetime supply of meals
Yulo will never have to think about what to eat next because many restaurant brands are giving him a free lifetime supply of food!
"Hinusayan mo naman masyado, Caloy" the Kalayaan branch of the JT's Manukan restaurant told Yulo. "Dahil dyan, sagot ka na namin dito sa JT's Kalayaan — HABANG BUHAY!"
More chicken meals for the champ! Mang Inasal is also giving Yulo Unli PM-2 or Pecho Meals for life, while BOK Korean Fried Chicken is giving him BOK Double Double Box.
Tipsy Pig resto-bar also said all of its branches, including Timog, Pasig, and Taguig, will provide Yulo with free food and drinks for a lifetime, while Cookies by the Bucket is giving Yulo a lifetime supply of cookies. It also noted that it has been supporting national athletes with a 20% discount on its products.
Not only that, Hagemu Sushi and Ramen Bar in Calasiao, Pangasinan said it's giving Yulo and his partner Chloe San Jose free ramen for a lifetime.
BastaMura Bacsilog, an eatery from San Andres in Manila, said it's giving Yulo its signature product (bacon, sinangag, itlog) and Agos burger for life.
FAB Cafe, Wild Sugar PH, Kalye Kopi, Cafe Oliver, and more are giving him free lifetime supply of drinks, too.
Free health products, services
Ideal Vision is giving away a free lifetime supply of eyewear and eye care solutions. "Just as clear vision is essential for great achievements, your unwavering focus and dedication have led you to the pinnacle of success," it said.
Toledomed is celebrating his win big time with a P10 million cash prize and a five-year contract as its brand ambassador.
Gastroenterologist Dr. Virgil Lo said he's offering his services and endoscopic procedures to Yulo for free, including indigent patients of his choosing, when he reaches 45.
100,000 worth of furniture
Apollo Home Depot in Cagayan de Oro said it's giving Yulo a free cash vault. Aside from a cash vault, it is also giving Yulo free furniture worth P100,000.
Franchises
The beverage brand from Cebu is giving Yulo two franchises for its Don Macchiatos and Don Lemon stalls for free. It is also giving and Coach Allen Castañeda a Don lemon stall franchise for free for their "deep appreciation for the unseen sacrifices and the relentless commitment" towards Yulo.
Free use of events place
Archie's Events Place, which is known for holding wedding receptions, said it's accommodating Yulo for all kinds of events for free.
Free wedding performance
OPM band Moonstar88 shared that they're down to perform for free at Yulo's future wedding.
"Two Golds!! Dahil 'di ka nahihilo, nalilito sa routine mo... Sagot na namin ang tugtugan sa kasal mo, Caloy!" the band behind hits Torete and Migraine wrote on Facebook.
Tax exemption
In light of his win, the House panel has greenlit a tax exemption for donations to national athletes. Rep. Joey Salceda, House Bill 421's author, proposes naming it after Yulo, recognizing his two gold medals.
The bill “exempts not just the prizes that are handed out by brands and companies after the win,” according to the Albay congressman, but its “most important provision is that it exempts donations towards their training one year before the competition.”
“What that teaches us is that the prize is never won on the day of the competition itself, but years before. Hard work, determination, and sheer grit through many years of training wins over talent,” he said.
The Salceda committee also approved making the bill’s exemption “retroactive to January 1, 2024.”
Rep. LRay Villafuerte also moved for the “plenary approval” of the now “Carlos Yulo bill.” The senior administration legislator was the author of House Bill 8226, one of the six (6) bills incorporated into the committee-passed substitute bill.
More benefits for national athletes
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez also suggested “enhancing and increasing” government benefits, granting Olympic medalists a lifetime pension. He said it is a tangible expression of gratitude for their "immeasurable and priceless" achievements.
“One of these is giving a lifetime pension to all Filipino Olympic gold, silver and bronze medalists who all brought honor and pride to our country. This will start by the time they reach the age of 40, or when they retire from their field of sport,” Romualdez explained further.
He also wants to review the “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act (Republic Act 10699),” which helps athletes and coaches, to see if it needs to be changed.
Romualdez believes that these changes will make sure that Filipino Olympians can ensure that they will have a bright and secure future, even after they retire. (with reports from Delon Porcalla)
