Manila gives cash incentives to Yulo, Obiena

October 17, 2019

The city government of Manila on Thursday gave cash incentives to world gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo and pole vault ace Ernest John Obiena as "true-blue Manileño" athletes. 

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno handed over cash incentive worth  P500,000 each to Yulo and Obiena.  

Moreno first gave Obiena the cash incentive during a ceremony at the Manila City Hall.

Obiena was the first Filipino to qualify  for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. He bagged gold at the 30th Summer Universiade 2019 as he set a new national record of 5.76 meters. 

"He stood out among the 6,000 athletes who competed in the 30th Summer Universiade 2019 with 220 medal events in 18 sports categories. He secured a berth in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics by surpassing the qualifying standard by making a 5.81 meters finish in a tournament in Chiara, Italy in September 3, 2019," the City Council resolution stated. 

Obiena was born in Tondo and attended Chang Kai Shek College and the University of Santo Tomas. 

Moreno met Yulo and  his Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya in a courtesy call. Yulo received the cash incentive and was conferred the "highest honors" for being the first Filipino to win the gold medal in floor exercise at the world artistic gymnastic championships. 

Yulo will represent the country in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

Although he was not born in Manila, the city government still acknowledged Yulo as a "true-blue Manileño" and a "Batang Maynila" since he was raised in Malate.

Yulo is a product of Aurora Quezon Elementary School and Adamson University in Manila. 

"His interest in gymnastics was developed as he grew up watching Filipino gymnasts train and compete at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex," a separate City Council resolution read. 

"A diminutive Manileño has carved a niche that signals the emergence of a powerhouse in the world of gymnastics that should inspire his countrymen," the resolution added.  Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS