When Filipinos excel abroad, it is as if we have won as well.
Filipinos awoke Sunday morning to some good news in sports. Twenty-year-old Alexandra Eala clinched her – and the Philippines’ – first Women’s Tennis Association title early Sunday morning (Philippine time), winning against Hungarian Panna Udvardy at the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico.
Eala, ranked 75th in the world, became prominent earlier this year after a series of wins that showcased her grit despite her relatively junior status and the setbacks she faced on court.
Eala’s latest win is a happy addition to her five International Tennis Federation singles titles and the 2022 US Open girls’ trophy. From Mexico, she proceeds to Brazil to compete in the Sao Paulo Open this week.
Her sports victory is especially significant for our country which has seen too much bad news in recent weeks, as a result of revelations of the extent of corruption attending infrastructure projects. As communities find themselves submerged in actual floodwater, the people find themselves helpless, even drowning, in various money-making schemes perpetuated by the same public officials who swore.
Amid the unrelenting stream of corruption-related news here at home, Eala’s story is a breath of fresh, uncorrupted air. Then again, her journey has been largely of her own and her family’s making, given the underwhelming support of the government to budding athletes who have the talent but no wherewithal to pursue their sport.
Politicians will no doubt trip over themselves congratulating the tennis sensation and holding her up as an example to the youth. By now, we the people should be wary of flattery. In as much as Eala sets the bar high for young people to make the most of their advantages, persevere despite the odds, and be hopeful for the future, we could come to those apparent conclusions on our own.
Certainly, we do not need to take the cue from any public official on whom to idolize or emulate. Look at how they have lionized themselves and proclaimed that their heart was for the poor and the marginalized, while at the same time designing and participating in the systemic plunder of public funds.
Eala’s victory is a respite from our toxic news cycles. More than that, it reminds us that we could be proud of being Filipino and proud of our compatriots who do their best with the cards they are dealt. We should thereafter reject those who try to fool us with their hypocrisy, and bring shame upon our nation.
