As the nation celebrates Carlos Edriel Yulo’s victory at the ongoing Paris Olympics, much attention is also being directed towards the Cebuano national team members who have contributed to his success. Among them is coach Allen Aldrin Castañeda, whom Yulo warmly embraced shortly after his golden finish was announced.
Allen Aldrin Castañeda is the second of seven children (his siblings are Allen Neil, Donna, Allen Keith, Darlene, Allen Basil, and Allen Miles, all former gymnasts) born to the late Cebu gymnastic official Regina Castañeda and Norberto Castañeda of Brgy. Hipodromo, Cebu City. Despite his significant contributions to Yulo’s success, Castañeda has always maintained a low profile, which is why Yulo is often more closely associated with his Japanese coach, Munehiro Kugimiya, who has been his mentor for a long time.
However, before Coach Mune’s involvement, Yulo was guided by three Cebuano coaches who were instrumental in his journey toward achieving his Olympic dream: Ricardo Otero, Joel Panugalinog, and Allen Aldrin Castañeda.
“Kami rang tulo maoy nakagunit ni Caloy nga taga-Cebu, ang uban taga-Manila na,” Panugalinog said in an interview with The Freeman yesterday. Panugalinog, who is also the uncle of national skateboarder Motic Panugalinog of Brgy. Inayawan was among the former national gymnasts from Cebu who devoted their time to coaching. Yulo was one of the many gymnasts they trained, especially given the high costs of foreign training and coaches.
Otero, a Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist during his prime, nurtured Yulo’s love for gymnastics, turning him into a champion at the Palarong Pambansa before Yulo had the chance to train abroad. Panugalinog also played a crucial role in Yulo’s development while he was in the country’s men’s artistic gymnastics developmental pool.
“Actually, daghan mi nagtudlo ni Caloy mga former national team (members). Mga ka-teammates nako ang ubang nagtudlo nga naa sa gawas…. Ako mao ra sad pagbalik gikan sa abroad sad coaching gymnastics…. Kanang coach ni Caloy karon sa Olympics (Allen Aldrin Castaneda) ka-team na nako sa national team pa mi,” Panugalinog shared.
Expressing pride in Yulo’s achievement, Panugalinog said, “Every gymnast dreams to be a champion. Caloy, a gifted child, learned very fast…. Maminaw ug humble nga bata. Daghan na sila among gitudloan. Ang usa iyang cousin gold medalist sa floor sa last SEA Games in Vietnam.”
Panugalinog acknowledged the significant role Coach Mune played in strengthening Yulo. “Ang nagpakusog gyud ana niya si Coach Mune…. Nag-training na siya sa Japan under the supervision of Coach Mune, Japanese coach,” he said. When Coach Mune and Yulo parted ways last year, it was Castañeda who stepped in to fill the gap.
In a separate interview, Darlene Castañeda explained that the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), headed by its president Cynthia Carreon, made the decision based on Coach Mune’s recommendation. Castañeda, as part of his duty as a national coach, did everything he could to support Yulo, including at the Olympics.
Castañeda had been with Yulo during his junior years as a gymnast when the now Olympic gold medalist won several international events before Coach Mune mentored him in 2016. Now, Yulo has made history as the first Filipino male Olympian to win gold.