Angelica Yulo explained that she did not intend to hurt her son, two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, when she posted on Facebook about a Japanese gymnast.
Read: Carlos Yulo, may hidwaan sa kanyang sariling ina?
Last week, Angelica shared Rappler’s post about Japan winning the men’s gymnastics all-around event, while making no mention at all of her son Carlos who placed 12th overall.
Carlos's overall placement was a huge improvement compared to his Tokyo Olympics finish at 47th place.
Angelica used this as the caption for her controversial Facebook post which featured Japanese gymnast Shinnosuke Oka: “Japan pa [rin] talaga. Lakas.”
This caused the mother of Carlos to be bashed by netizens who criticized her for expressing support for Japan instead of supporting her son.
During her August 7 press conference, held at Heroes Hotel in Manila, Angelica disclosed that she learned about Oka through her son Karl Eldrew, who is also a gymnast.
"Yung [post ko na] Japan lang ang malakas... nabigyan ng ibang meaning ng mga tao.
"Natuwa lang po ako. Nakasama siya ni Eldrew sa Japan nung nag-training camp siya.
"Ang sabi ni Drew is he's only 19 years old," Angelica said about Oka, who is now 20 years old and is the youngest member of the Japanese gymnastics team.
"Gusto ko lang ipaalam sa mga anak ko na ito ang gawin nilang motivation, para ma-boost rin yung confidence nila."
Atty. Raymond Fortun, the legal counsel of Angelica, asked her: Did you intend to shade or tarnish the image of Carlos when she posted about Japan on Facebook?
"No," she stressed.
"Honestly, wala po talaga. Nung pinost ko siya, nagulat rin ako na 19 years old and first time niyang mag-Olympics, and yet, nakuha niya yung individual all-around.
"Wala yung para sabihin na i-degrade ko si Caloy [Carlos's nickname] dahil siya yung pinost ko."
Atty. Fortun then asked a follow-up question: Did she not think that Carlos would get hurt because of what she posted?
Angelica replied, "Wala akong idea na bibigyan ng iba ng malicious ano yung post ko. Honestly, hindi ko naisip."
Read: Angelica Yulo nagpaliwanag tungkol sa paghawak ng pera ni Carlos
angelica yulo FALLING-OUT WITH CARLOS YULO
Angelica did admit that she has not been posting about Carlos and his achievements ever since their falling-out.
"Honestly, hindi na ako nagpo-post about him. Makikita niyo naman sa timeline ko sa Facebook account ko.
"Matagal na akong hindi nagpo-post. Asian Championships... wala po."
At this point, however, Angelica said she's open to be the one to approach her son so they could heal as a family.
She said, "Siyempre po. Ina ako, anak ko siya. Willing naman po ako."
When the controversial mother was asked if she has any message to those saying that she is ruining the victory of Carlos, she said while wiping away tears, "Tumahimik na lang po sila. Tumigil na po sila."
Read: Carlos Yulo's gymnastics journey, family, love: A timeline
ANGELICA YULO APOLOGIZES TO SON CARLOS
During the same presscon, Angelica cried as she apologized to her estranged son Carlos.
The 24-year-old gymnast made history as the country's first ever male Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics during the August 3 floor exercise category and then in the vault category less than 24 hours later.
Carlos's historic Olympic victory was somehow overshadowed by the issues that stemmed from his mother's previous posts and interview.
Read: Carlos Yulo's mother Angelica offers tearful apology to son