Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscored the growing importance of sports in nation-building during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), highlighting the achievements of tennis star Alex Eala and the Philippine women’s national football team while reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening sports development across the country.
Speaking before a joint session of Congress at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Monday, July 27, Marcos pointed to the accomplishments of Filipino athletes on the international stage as proof that the country can compete with the world’s best when provided with the necessary support and opportunities.
Among those singled out by the President was tennis sensation Alex Eala, whose rapid rise has made her one of the country’s most recognizable sporting figures and an inspiration to aspiring Filipino athletes.
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Marcos expressed hope that Eala’s success would encourage more young Filipinos to participate not only in tennis but in sports in general, emphasizing the role athletics plays in promoting both excellence and healthy lifestyles.
“Sa nag-uumapaw nating suporta kay Alex Eala, sana ay marami ang ma-engganyo para matuto at maglaro hindi lamang ng tennis, kundi ng iba pang sport. Mahalaga rin sa atin ang sports. Itinaas natin nang triple ang suporta natin dito. Hindi lamang dahil sa aliw na hatid nito, kundi para sa kalusugan,” Marcos said during his address.
The President also revealed that government support for sports has tripled under his administration, reiterating that investment in athletics goes beyond producing champions and also contributes to improving the overall health and well-being of Filipinos.
Eala has become one of Philippine sports’ brightest stars following a series of breakthrough performances on the international stage. Widely regarded as Southeast Asia’s top young tennis player, the 21-year-old continues to raise the country’s profile in world tennis through her historic achievements.
Pres. Marcos Jr. mentioned Alex Eala and the Filipinas, saying he hopes they inspire more young Filipinos to play sports and that football will continue to grow in the PH so that one day, we’ll reach the World Cup.
Well, the Filipinas already did. And we’ll be back next year
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— Nikki Verder (@welverder) July 27, 2026
Her most recent milestone came at Wimbledon 2026, where she became the first Filipino in the Open Era to reach both the third and fourth rounds of the prestigious Grand Slam tournament. The achievement further cemented her status as one of the country’s premier athletes and strengthened hopes that she can continue making history on the WTA Tour.
Marcos also reserved special praise for the Philippine women’s national football team, popularly known as the Filipinas, after the squad secured qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The achievement marks the second consecutive edition of the tournament in which the Philippines has earned a place, following the country’s historic debut at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup—a landmark moment that significantly elevated the profile of women’s football in the nation.
“Sa halimbawa ng Filipinas women’s football team, sana rin ay mas sumikat pa ang football sa ating bansa at marami ang maglaro. Balang-araw, baka makasali na ang Pilipinas sa World Cup,” Marcos added.
The President expressed hope that the Filipinas’ continued success would inspire more young Filipinos to embrace football, with the long-term dream of seeing the country become a regular participant in football’s biggest international competitions.
Following the President’s remarks, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) issued a statement thanking Marcos for recognizing the achievements of Philippine football on one of the country’s biggest political stages.
“Lubos na nagpapasalamat ang Philippine Football Federation sa paghirang ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos sa Philippine football sa kanyang State of the Nation Address. Sama-sama nating iangat ang Pilipinas sa global stage ng football! Tayo naman, Pilipinas,” the federation said.
The Filipinas are now preparing for another major international challenge as they turn their attention to the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. Drawn into a difficult Group G, the Philippines will face regional powerhouse China, as well as Uzbekistan and Hong Kong, as they seek another memorable campaign on the continental stage.
Marcos’ recognition of both Eala and the Filipinas reflects the growing prominence of Philippine sports in recent years. From tennis courts to football pitches, Filipino athletes continue to make significant strides internationally, and their achievements have increasingly become a source of national pride. With government support for sports receiving greater emphasis, the hope is that more young Filipinos will be inspired to pursue athletic excellence and carry the country’s flag onto the global stage.
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