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MANILA, Philippines – At just eight years old, Armand Hernandez Jr. from Pasay City made headlines after winning five gold medals and a bronze in his debut at the 65th Palarong Pambansa held in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Competing in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Cluster 1, Hernandez bagged bronze in mushroom and swept the individual all-around, floor, vault, and horizontal bar, scoring 9.200 in floor and 9.300 in both vault and bar. He also clinched the Cluster 2 team championship with 115.500 points in team events with the Gungob siblings, Deena and Kizz.
It may not be apparent in this amazing run, but the young gymnast has only trained in the sport for less than two years.
Hernandez began training in October 2023 and joined his first competition just two months later at Batang Pinoy, where he competed in six apparatus with his team. From then on, he consistently placed and won gold in the cluster, division, NCR, and Antipolo meets, leading up to Palaro.
Originally drawn to dancing with his sister, Hernandez surprised his family when he chose gymnastics at school.
“Nagulat ako kasi wala ako alam sa gymnastics. ‘Di ko alam ‘yung mga apparatus, ‘di kami marunong tumakbo, tumalon, sayaw lang talaga. (I was surprised because I didn’t know anything about gymnastics. I didn’t know any apparatus. We didn’t know how to run and jump; we just knew how to dance),” Hernandez’s mom, Evangeline, recalled.
With no prior experience, Hernandez was inspired by watching the Yulo brothers online. He showed natural talent, effortlessly doing splits and cartwheels during training and at home.
Evangeline especially noticed this when Hernandez, was asked to do a cartwheel. While other kids struggled, he did it with ease.
“Doon ako nagtataka mahirap ba talaga? Kasi sa kanya lagi ko na nakikita na laro niya (That’s when I wondered if it was really difficult because I always see him do that when he’s playing),” she shared.
Hernandez’s talent stood out more as he began learning advanced skills like back handspring, a difficult move that once made him cry.
“First time siya umiyak kasi gusto niya agad-agad. Gusto niya mahirap (It was the first time he cried because he wanted to learn it right away. He wanted a difficult challenge),” his mother recalled.
In the weeks before Palarong Pambansa, Hernandez hit another rough patch as he struggled to land techniques cleanly. But driven by the desire to master even the toughest skills, he kept pushing forward.
At the competition, Hernandez surprised everyone by performing many of the difficult stunts he used to struggle with, a feat that would not be possible without the guidance of coach Adrian Apuyan, who also trains Philippine gymnastics legend Carlos Yulo.
Meeting his heroes
From school trainings, Hernandez made his way to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, where he trained under Apuyan.
It was a full circle moment for Hernandez: The young boy who once watched the Yulo brothers online now trains under the same coach.
Recounting Hernandez’s early training, Apuyan shared the struggles the eight-year-old faced and the potential he showed from the start.
“Every time we need to work on his strength, he’s always crying, and that makes me mad. So, I always scolded him and told him that if you want to be a great gymnast, you need to focus on your strength and flexibility,” he said.
Still, Apuyan described training him as a pleasant experience, as Hernandez’s love for gymnastics made it easier for the boy to learn the sport.
He also pointed out similarities between Hernandez and the Yulo brothers. “They both have the talent, skill, and dedication when it comes to achieving new skills. They don’t want to finish training without accomplishing something.”
Hernandez often trained with Eldrew Yulo, who eventually became a kuya (elder brother) to him.
One piece of advice he remembered from Eldrew: “‘Wag daw po kabahan sa competition (Don’t be nervous during the competition).”
Inspired by the Yulo brothers, many expect Hernandez to continue their legacy representing the Philippines, but his family chooses not to pressure him.
“Sa ngayon, kung ano lang ang gusto niya. Pagsisikapin niya muna (For now, we’ll let him follow what he wants. He will just work hard),” Evangeline said.
Hernandez is aiming for the next Palarong Pambansa. Whether or not he becomes the Philippines’ next gymnastics legend, he is already sticking his landing, one gold at a time. – Rappler.com
Yoela Leonor is a Rappler Mover based in Mandaluyong City.
