Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been “all-out” in his support for Alex Eala following her historic victory as the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 500 singles title, Malacañang said Tuesday, August 4.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the president was delighted by Eala’s milestone and immediately extended his congratulations to the tennis star for bringing pride to the country.
“Alam naman po natin na ang pangulo pagdating po kay Miss Alex Eala ay talagang buhos po ang kaniyang pagsuporta,” Castro said.
[Translation: We all know that when it comes to Miss Alex Eala, the president has been all-out in his support of her.]
Castro said it has yet to be discussed whether Eala would again be invited to Malacañang following her latest triumph.
She said the president generally avoids watching Eala’s matches live because he believes he brings bad luck when doing so.
“Noong nakaraang araw ay tinanong ko kung pinanood niya iyong ibang laro, ng Pangulo. Ang sabi po sa atin, usually ay ayaw niyang manood ng live dahil mukhang mayroon daw yata siyang dalang hindi swerte kapag nanonood siya ng personal na laro o nanonood siya live,” the official said.
[Translation: I asked the other day whether the president watched her previous matches. I was told that he usually avoids watching live because he believes he somehow brings bad luck when watching a match in person or in real time.]
The Palace also renewed its congratulations to Eala, calling her historic title another source of pride for the Filipino people.
“Congratulations muli, Miss Alex Eala! Kasama mo ang sambayanang Pilipino sa pagdiriwang ng panibagong tagumpay na ito,” Castro said.
[Translation: Congratulations once again, Miss Alex Eala! The Filipino people join you in celebrating this latest achievement.]
