PRESIDENT Bongbong Marcos cast the spotlight once more on the brilliant Pinays carrying the country in the world's sports stage as part of his 2026 State of the Nation Address on Monday.
The country's chief executive proudly stated how the government has tripled its budget on sports as it aims to promote health among the youth and further develop future sporting heroes from the grassroots level.
"Mahalaga rin ang ating sports," BBM said right after discussing education and public safety for the youth. "Tinaas natin ng triple ang suporta natin dito. Hindi lamang para sa aliw na hatid nito, kung hindi para sa kalusugan."
Eala, Filipinas take centerstage
As expected, Alex Eala was part of the president's speech - stating his hope that Eala's recent breakthroughs would inspire more youth to get moving, not only in tennis but in sports in general.
Eala, of course, is coming off a Round of 16 run at Wimbledon - the farthest a tennis player from the Philippines has gone in a Grand Slam tournament.
"Sa naguumapaw nating suporta kay Alex Eala, sana maraming ma-enganyo upang matuto at maglaro, hindi lamang ng tennis kung hindi ng ibang sport pa," Marcos, a self-confessed Eala fan, said.
Marcos also sang the Philippine Women's National Football Team praises for its continuous breakthrough in the world of Football.
The Filipinas, of course, are coming off a gold medal run at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games -- the country's first in the regional meet.
It has qualified for the 2027 Women's World Cup, marking the second time the country made football's grandest stage after marking a historic debut in 2023.
That's why BBM's 'dream' in his SONA, has actually happened - unless he was talking about the men's national team, of course,
"Sa halimbawa ng Filipinas football team, sana rin ay mas sumikat pa ang football sa ating bansa at maraming maglaro. Balang araw, baka makasali na ang Pilipinas sa World Cup."
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