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Zedrick Jon Mariano shows off his art dedicated to Paris Olympics’ double gold medalist Carlos Yulo. –MELO FUERTES/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Zedrick Jon Mariano weaved through a busy and raucous P. Ocampo street on Wednesday afternoon with both hands occupied; one holding her mother’s hand for guidance and the other occupying a handmade drawing of Team Philippines’ “Golden Boy” Carlos Yulo.

Despite being a person with disability, Mariano powered through the jam-packed street of Malate in hopes of entering Rizal Memorial Coliseum to witness the arrival of his idol Yulo, the sensational 24-year-old dynamo who made history as the first Filipino gymnast to win two gold medals in one Olympic outing.

Mariano wore a mixture of worry and excitement on his face. Excitement, of course, because he can see the person who inspired special drawing’s person live and in living color. Worried because, with his state and her frail mother beside him, getting inside the crowded arena had been a risky move.

READ: Carrion overcome by emotion over crowd reception to Carlos Yulo

“If I don’t reach him, my message for Carlos Yulo is, congratulations for winning two gold medals,” Mariano told Inquirer Sports Filipino, finding the right words to say. “You made us proud of the country.”

(Kung ‘di ko maabutan, ang mensahe ko kay Carlos Yulo, congratulations sa napanalunan mo na dalawang gold medal at napabilib mo kami, para sa bayan.)

Mariano could have simply s celebrated Yulo’s within the comforts of his own home, without being squeezed by a mammoth crowd that grew by the second as the Heroes parade that carried the Filipino Olympians trudged through Rizal Memorial.

READ: Carlos Yulo thanks supporters, shares Olympic victory with all Filipinos

But no, Mariano wanted to see Yulo live, for the simple reason that he wanted to see the man who turned the impossible into a reality.

“I didn’t expect him to do it—not just one, but two [medals]. He made it because of his hard work, preparation and smarts. It really is a win for the country.”

(Di ko ineexpect na nagawa niya, hindi lang isa kundi dalawa. Nagawa niya dahil sa sikap, preparation at talino. Tanging tagumpay para sa bayan.)

ART IN SPORTS, SPORTS IN ART

Carlos Yulo waves the Philippine flag as he faces the crowd at Rizal Memorial Colisuem, the last stop of the Heroes parade for the Filipino athletes from the Paris Olympics 2024. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Yulo made history in the Paris Olympics 2024 men’s artistic gymnastics competition, and what better way to encapsulate his win than with art?

That’s exactly what Mariano did, despite his disability: immortalizing the moment inside a drawing on a 9×12 piece of paper.

“It’s [Yulo’s win] such a big boost for me as an artist (Malaking boost talaga sa’kin bilang artist),” said Mariano, proudly showing off his drawing.

READ: Filipinos show gratitude to Team Philippines in Heroes’ parade

Mariano posted a six-minute video of him drawing Yulo on his Youtube account which currently has over 22,900 subscribers.

His work has served as an inspiration to several artists with disability.

“Whoever represents our country, I’d like to draw. It’s a huge honor for our country,” Mariano said.

(Kahit sino naman ang magrepresent ng ating bansa, iddrawing ko po. Isang malaking karangalan kasi para sa’ting bansa.)

After his short conversation with the Inquirer, Mariano held his mother’s hand again and walked towards the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Mariano did what he aimed to do that day. He saw Yulo up close. He did not get a chance to talk personally with the historic gymnast but he got the next best thing: give to Yulo for the Team Philippine dynamo to keep.

“I didn’t expect a team security personnel to give my drawing to Carlos Yulo in person. Thank you so, so much Carlos Edriel Yulo for appreciating my drawing for you,” wrote Mariano in a Facebook post on Thursday.

(Hindi ko expect naiabot ko sa Team Security Personel para naibot niya kay Carlos Yulo ung drawing ko sa personal. Maraming Maraming Maraming Salamat po Carlos Edriel Yulo pag appreciate ninyo sa drawing ko para sa sa’yo.)

Mariano didn’t win two gold medals like Yulo. But on this day, both Mariano and Yulo were weaved and connected by one common action: turning a dream into reality.