Filipino sports stars have recently found themselves in the public eye, not just for their resilience and remarkable achievements but also for the complexities of their personal relationships — especially with their mothers.

Olympic gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo, of course, will be the first name and story to come to mind after drawing headlines not only for his historic back-to-back gold medal wins in the Paris Olympics but for his very public conflict with his mother. Their strained relationship, which played out on social media amid his record-breaking triumphs in August, has since drawn the nation's interest in the role of family — particularly regarding maternal influence — in the lives of national athletes.

The T-Zone knew it was only a matter of time before the Philippines' one and only King of Talk, Boy Abunda, would look into this intriguing dynamic. Known for his profound, objective, and insightful interviews, Kuya Boy naturally found the subject fitting for his limited documentary talk series, "My Mother, My Story," whose first four episodes (featuring Luis Manzano and mom Vilma Santos; Andi Eigenmann, who had just lost her mother, Jacklyn Jose at the time; Jillian Ward and mom Jennifer; and Bea Alonzo and her mother Mary Anne Ranollo) have all received the highest praise.

Premiering on Mother's Day last May, the series has allowed Kuya Boy — the self-proclaimed "maka-nanay" (mama's boy) — to engage fascinating personalities in sharing inspiring and heartfelt stories about their mothers, as he has generously done throughout his career. He had hoped to feature Yulo in an upcoming episode but revealed in an intimate roundtable with select entertainment editors and columnists this week that he received word the Filipino Olympiad was hesitant. Totally unoffended, Kuya Boy explained why he not only understood Yulo's reluctance but also respected it.

"Even if they were the ones who made their problems public, family matters are still very personal, and there's now too much noise. So maybe kailangan tumahimik muna tayo [maybe we need to stay quiet for now]. Hanggang maaari, huwag na tayo dumagdag sa ingay [As much as possible, let's not add to the noise]," he added, demonstrating his ethical approach to sensitive stories.

"At one point, I'd love to be able to do an interview with Carlos and his family, maybe when tempers have settled down," he added candidly.

Prodded why he thinks Yulo is hesitant to sit down with him, Kuya Boy frankly replied, "I've said it before, I would understand because I have the image of being very much a mama's boy, and I won't correct that. I won't apologize for that because I am. But I'm not saying that mothers are always right. That would be a disservice to what I do. But I will also say na walang pwedeng gawin ang nanay ko na hindi ko mapapatawad. [But I will also say that there is nothing my mother could do that I wouldn't be able to forgive]. But that's me. And I will not impose that on anyone."

All the same, Kuya Boy will interview a celebrated athlete in the fifth installment of My Mother, My Story, which airs on GMA Network at 2 p.m. today. The show will instead spotlight world-class pole vaulter EJ Obiena, who is currently ranked the third-best in the world for the sport. The "Fast Talk" host happily discovered that Obiena's personal story is closely tied to his relationship with his mother, Jeanette. The Obiena matriarch, of course, also gained public attention in 2022 over allegedly meddling in the release of her son's training allowance from the government agency involved. She was later exonerated and was found to have only acted as any protective and supportive mother would.

"Like Carlos, EJ also had family issues, but he chose to reconcile with his mother," Kuya Boy reminded the table, noting the significant difference in the story of these two champions.

In further discussing Obiena's episode, the host insightfully juxtaposed the discipline required for pole vaulting with the delicate balance needed in family relationships. He provided an overview of how Obiena's mother played a pivotal role in his success, the athlete describing her as his "secret coach" behind the scenes.

Kuya Boy, in fact, quoted the 32-year-old athlete saying his mother was always there for him, not just as a mother but as a guide, especially in the most challenging times.

"EJ's mother has this quiet dignity and strength. She's always there — present for him but in a way you hardly notice. Even during EJ's [previous] guesting on Fast Talk, she was quietly taking care of him, bringing him water and attending to his needs without drawing attention to herself. I didn't even know she was his mom until I asked."

For Kuya Boy, Obiena's mother is the perfect embodiment of the role of a supportive athlete's parent.

"EJ's parents were athletes themselves, and both work as coaches today," he highlighted.

"Jeanette was a hurdler, and EJ initially followed in her footsteps. However, after a while, he shifted to pole vaulting. And while EJ described his father as his hero — someone he idolized — he made it clear that his mother is his 'other hero,' the one always on the ground, quietly supporting him."

Describing Obiena as a "wonderful person" who is so easy to talk to, Kuya Boy is absolutely thrilled with how well the interview went. He explained how in My Mother, My Story, his goal is to explore how mothers guide their children over life's highest bars, offering the steady support they need to soar. He gratefully shared that he had accomplished his mission with Obiena and his mother because of the trust they afforded him. As this particular episode delves into the life of someone outside show business, Kuya Boy also acknowledged he needed to adjust his interview style for the star pole vaulter.

"He's not like an artista who is conscious about public perception and I appreciate how he really pauses to think about his answers to my questions. It meant he was really looking deep inside him for the answers."

Nevertheless, Kuya Boy humbly insisted that instead of relying solely on expert interview skills, it was simply his value for family that allowed him to connect with Obiena on a deeper level and encourage him to open up.

"Family is important to EJ. He didn't want to prolong the issues; he wanted everything resolved so they could move forward without bitterness. In the end, 'Magulang ko pa rin.' [In the end, he said, 'They're still my parents]. He chose them and took their side," he said in total admiration.

For Kuya Boy, Obiena's story underscores an important fact of life: how family, especially mothers, are the foundational pole that holds everything steady. He recalled that his motivation in conceptualizing the show was not only to celebrate public figures and their mothers but what was important to him was to show how mothers influence their children's ability to face life's challenges head-on.

"Ang mga nanay natin, sila ang pundasyon ng bawat desisyon na ginagawa natin. Kahit gaano ka pa kalayo sa kanila, 'yung mga tinuro nila, hindi mawawala [Our mothers are the foundation of every decision we make. No matter how far you are from them, their teachings never leave you]."

Kuya Boy also emphasized the very Filipino and Christian value of respecting one's parents.

"Yan ang itinuturo ng pananampalataya natin bilang mga Kristiyano [That is what our faith teaches us as Christians]. Honor your father and your mother at pagpapalain ang buhay mo, di'ba? [and your life will be blessed, right?] So, no matter how difficult family issues become, I always return to the idea that reconciliation is important. That's what our faith teaches us as Christians at ganoon tayong mga Pilipino [and that's how we Filipinos are]. Ganoon din si EJ Obiena [EJ Obiena is the same]."

Indeed, as My Mother, My Story continues, the show has evolved into a rich platform for learning about the importance of family, respect, and Filipino values. With EJ Obiena's episode airing today, he is excited for viewers to witness a journey that truly mirrors the challenges and triumphs in pole vaulting — that is, the strength that comes from family, especially a mother's unwavering support.

"Sa bawat episode, nais kong ipakita kung gaano kahalaga ang pamilya, lalo na ang mga nanay. Kasi sila ang una nating mga guro. Mahalin natin sila. [In every episode, I want to show how important family is, especially our mothers, because they are our first teachers. Let us all keep loving them.]," Kuya Boy concluded.

Do learn — and love — with Boy Abunda today as he interviews a genuine pride of the Philippines and the mother he is deeply proud of, too.