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Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carrion during Team Philippines’ Heroes’ Parade in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) President Cynthia Carrion couldn’t help her emotions at the conclusion of Team Philippines’ Heroes Parade at Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday.

When asked about her thoughts on the crowd’s reception towards Yulo, Carrion was almost at a loss for words.

“Fantastic,” said Carrion, taking a deep breath before her eyes welled up with tears.

“[It’s] fantastic. You know, I was crying because he’s like my son. [It was] so touching.”

READ: Carlos Yulo shares moment with dad: ‘Kitakits soon, Pa’

After roughly two hours of waiting for the Heroes’ Parade to end, the crowd seemingly never lost energy and even let off the loudest roar when Yulo was finally introduced.

“[The event] was very well done because they’re (Team Philippines) tired. Carlos hasn’t slept, maybe three hours only, so making it fast like that was the best thing,” Carrion said.

Yulo made history by becoming the first Filipino to win two Olympic gold medals.

READ: Carlos Yulo’s Olympic gold medal haul caps decade of struggle

The 24-year-old Yulo won both the floor exercise and vault events in the men’s artistic gymnastics at the recently concluded Paris Olympics.

Yulo was one of four Filipino gymnasts who competed in Paris. The others were Aleah Finnegan, Levi Jung Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo.

Carrion said the three, who weren’t able to join the Heroes Parade, are expected to return to the country “by the end of August.”