Filipino businessman Chavit Singson gifts Olympic champion Carlos Yulo’s family $17K, urges reconciliation

Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo. Photo from Carlos Yulo's Instagram

According to PhilStar, Singson personally visited the Yulo family’s home, emphasizing familial unity and stating that he acted as a mediator for love and forgiveness. He also delivered the monetary gift.

"No amount of success should overshadow one’s love and respect for his family," Singson stated. "Forgiveness, understanding, and compassion should always prevail among members of Filipino families."

Additionally, he highlighted the importance of reconciliation, especially as the Christmas season approaches.

"And with the most wonderful time of the year fast approaching, Filipinos are praying for the Yulos to hand them a gift that’s more precious than gold–the gift of unity in the family," he said.

Singson first announced the gift during a press briefing last month. At the briefing, he also reiterated his standing offer of 5 million pesos to Carlos, contingent on reconciling with his mother Angelica Poquiz Yulo. Singson expressed his hope for Carlos to be a family role model by forgiving his mother for past issues.

Carlos and his mother had a widely publicized dispute that drew significant attention. The feud began when Carlos posted a TikTok video on Aug. 6, accusing his mother of mishandling his finances, misleading him about gymnastics incentives, and falsely accusing his girlfriend, content creator Chloe San Jose, of financial exploitation.

In response, Angelica held a press conference the following day, expressing regret and explaining her actions as motivated by concern for her children’s financial stability.

"The money was given to me," she stated at the press conference, as reported by The New York Post. "As a mother, I was worried that my child might have financial problems in the future. So I invested it under my name."

Carlos, 24, is recognized as the most decorated Filipino gymnast in history, according to Forbes. He is the second Filipino to win a gold medal and the first to secure multiple golds at the Olympics.

Singson, 83, previously served as mayor of Narvacan city from 2019 to 2022. He held multiple terms as governor of Ilocos Sur province from 1972 to 1986, 1992 to 2001, 2004 to 2007, and 2010 to 2013.

Additionally, he was appointed Deputy National Security Adviser for the Philippine government in 2008.