Yulo, Didal make elite 'Forbes' list

MANILA, Philippines — Olympics-bound gymnast Caloy Yulo and skateboard queen Margielyn Didal landed in Forbes Asia’s “30 under 30” for 2020, joining three other Filipinos in the list of the most influential youngsters across the continent.

The 19-year-old Yulo, who won the country’s first world title last year, and the 20-year-old Didal, one of four Pinoy gold medalists in the Asian Games, were among entertainment and sports personalities named to the elite roster yesterday.

They shared the spotlight with Francis Plaza, founder of payments processing platform PayMongo, Louise Mabulo, founder of The Cacao Project and multimedia artist Breech Asher Harani, who were feted in the other categories.

“Carlos Yulo is a Filipino gymnast who became the first male athlete in Southeast Asia to win a gold medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in 2019, when he won the men’s floor exercise,” Forbes Asia said of Yulo.

It also cited his two-gold, five-silver debut at the SEA Games and the President’s Awards bestowed on him by the Philippine Sportswriters’ Association.

Didal was honored for her putting the Philippines on the skateboarding map.

“At the most recent Asian Games in 2018, Margielyn Didal helped win one of four gold medals for the Philippines by winning the women’s street skateboarding event,” Forbes Asia said.

“As of this writing, Didal is preparing to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, where skateboarding has been included in the Games for the first time,” it added of the Cebuana, who just last month claimed bronze at the maiden Women’s Open of the Tampa Pro competition in Florida.

According to Forbes Asia, the 2020 list “highlights 300 young entrepreneurs, leaders and changemakers who are changing the world.”

“This year’s Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list-makers inspire optimism in what is promising to be a tough year ahead,” Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia editor Rana Wehbe said. 

“They are a resilient and energetic bunch who are facing challenges head-on and actively working for a future that matches their aspirations,” Wehbe added.