Amid the historic victory of our two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, an unexpected buzz is now sweeping social media. It’s not about his perfect spins or landings, but about his girlfriend Chloe San Jose. In recent days, Chloe’s presence at the athlete’s official events has become a hot topic among netizens and even some showbiz personalities, resulting in a heated discussion about the “right place.”
It all started when the observant eyes of netizens noticed Chloe’s constant sidelining of Carlos during official press conferences. In videos that went viral online, the young woman can be seen sitting right next to the champion, a spot that many believe should have been reserved for coaches, trainers, or sports officials who were part of Yulo’s technical success. Comments immediately poured in, saying that Chloe seemed like a “celebrity” and seemed to be competing for the spotlight with her boyfriend [00:10].
Many critics expressed their disappointment, saying that the young woman doesn’t know how to get around. Some netizens even compared Chloe to Jinkee Pacquiao, the wife of Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao. According to observations, Jinkee is known for being quiet and staying in the background during her husband’s press conferences, a trait that the public looks for in Chloe [00:52].
Due to the intensity of the criticism, one netizen couldn’t hold back and asked directly on Chloe’s Facebook page. The message was full of “unsolicited advice,” saying that Chloe’s presence in every camera angle seemed to come from “desperation for affirmation.” According to the netizen, the spotlight should be on Carlos only because this was his moment after the hardships of the Olympics [01:43].
But if many thought Chloe would remain silent, they were mistaken. In a bold and straightforward response, Chloe responded to the allegations. According to her, it is far from the truth that she wanted to steal the attention from her boyfriend. In fact, Chloe revealed that she has declined many media interviews because she did not want to get the attention that Carlos deserves [02:13]. “You haven’t seen any media interview me because I declined,” Chloe insisted, clarifying that she herself is doing her best to protect Carlos’ spotlight [02:21].
Additionally, Chloe advised those who are irritated by her presence to simply switch to Carlos’ official page if they don’t want to see her posts. She emphasized that many of the critics are unaware of the true nature of their relationship and are only dwelling on the issue because her boyfriend is now famous [02:46].
It wasn’t just ordinary netizens who gave their opinions. Even some showbiz insiders expressed their thoughts. There were suggestions that someone should guide “baby boy” (Carlos Yulo) when it comes to such situations to maintain respect for his being an Olympian. There was also a call for members of the media to stop asking questions about the athlete’s personal life to avoid creating intrigue that could ruin the focus of his success [03:49].
Despite the noise and mixed opinions, Carlos and Chloe’s relationship remains strong. This story serves as a reminder that behind every national hero’s success, there are personal aspects that are often misunderstood by the public. As the Philippines continues to celebrate Yulo’s two gold medals, it seems that the challenge for his loved ones to balance support and public image amidst the scrutiny of society will continue.
