NAGOYA — As rising gymnast Eldrew Yulo finds his way through the twists and turns of life and sports, journaling has become a space for him to process the highs and lows.
The 18-year-old was carrying a notebook following the men's artistic gymnastics team final at the 20th Asian Games on Wednesday.
Yulo explained that the notebook was actually one of two journals where he keeps track of his progress in gymnastics and reflects on his personal life.
READ: PH finishes sixth in men's gymnastics team final
"This is my journal. Of course, my brother [double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo] really [taught] me about it. Like parang kung anong nararamdaman mo sa araw na yun or sa oras na yun, you should write it down. Parang nag-rant ka lang sa kaibigan mo. Alam mo kung ano yung ni-write down mo, hindi na yun mababago kasi ayun na yun. Kung ano yung naramdaman mo, you write it down," he told POC Media.
"I always bring them with me. So, every time na I feel bad or I feel good, I write it down. I thought this is for my gymnastics. And then, the other one is for my personal life," Yulo shared.
The FIG World Cup gold medalist said he started journaling before the 2026 Asian Championships last June.
His older brother has been helping him foster a more positive mindset as he progresses as an elite gymnast.
"Ang sabi ni kuya, may resibo ka kung ano yung nangyari na yun. Matitignan mo kung ano yung nagawa mo sa araw na yun. Anong naramdaman mo sa araw na yun. Anong kailangan kong baguhin para hindi mo naman yun. If ever na hindi maganda yung nangyari," he shared.
"He [Carlos] said na, what if palitan mo yung, what if na negative, what if positive, like what if magawa mo, ano sabihin ng maraming tao. What if isulat mo para hindi malessen kung ano yung nararamdaman mo, what if naka-medal ka, ano sasabihin nila sa'yo. Like, mga ganun. Like, he really helped me about my mental," Eldrew added.
The older Yulo earlier said he has been helping his brother improve his mentality and focus, which Carlos believes will be key to Eldrew's continued success in the future.
READ: Eldrew Yulo thankful to kuya Carlos for sharing lessons in life, gymnastics
Yulo said he tries to answer three questions every day: something bad that happened, something good that happened, and something he needs to change.
Filipino gymnast Eldrew Yulo during the men's team final in men's artistic gymnastics at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. POC Media
"This is today, for the Asian Games Team Finals. I write it down kung ano yung masamang, like bad happened today. My routines are not that consistent. Kinakapos ako ng hininga. I'm demotivated. Mabilis ako mapagod. Hindi ako ganun pakalakas compared sa kanila," he shared, reading his entry for the day.
"The energy is good, the focus, the feelings in the competition, the team communication, and then I did enjoy the competition. And then after that, I will write something you want to change. I will ask myself why. why do I need to change, what do I need to improve, what do I need to change so I won't feel this bad happen," Yulo pointed out.
When he does not find the answers to these questions, Eldrew said he does not force himself to write down something until he has made up his mind.
"Pag hindi ko po nakahanap siguro yung sagot, tina-take time ko po muna. Hindi ko po muna siya sinasagutan. If hindi ko siya masagutan, I will leave it blank. And then if nahanap ko na yung sagot, parang if mafe-feel ko na ito ba yung sagot sa tanong na bakit para sa sarili ko. And if ever I will write it down isa-isa kung ano yun," he said.
"It takes time. It really takes time to understand yourself and it really takes time to notice what's wrong or what mistake did you do onto yourself. So it really takes time to know about yourself. So yeah, that's what I learned," Eldrew explained.
The 18-year-old added that he looks back on his previous entries to help him reflect.
"Babasahin ko siya... pag gusto ko siya basahin. Kapag nagda-doubt ako ulit sa sarili ko, ano yung mga ginawa ko noon para ulitin ko na lang siya ulit. So meron akong resibo and then path, nasusundan na lang ulit para hindi ako like bigla ni ko, I'm just on a straight line," he shared.
Eldrew will compete in the individual apparatus finals in floor exercise alongside his older brother Carlos on September 24, followed by the horizontal bar on September 25.