I MIGHT be wrong on this — but social media, especially Facebook, has seen many Filipinos go gaga over Alex Eala. Especially when she wins.
So, should I apply for a local patent for the terms “Ealamania” and “Alexmania”?
During these challenging times of global crude prices and fuel prices going sky high because of the Middle East war, and the almost inept response of the government, a win by Eala in a tennis match is not only a relief — it is a moral booster.
Why? Because Alex remains the authentic hardworking Filipina who proudly carries our flag, demonstrating relentlessness in the court, and never giving up.
Compare that to a number of our public servants who thrive more on optics and press releases in an attempt to keep the public calm, even if things are turning for the worse. Honestly, is there anything not to fear when the price of diesel is expected to hit P110 or P120 per liter soon?
And Eala? She has become a wonder to watch on the tennis court taking on all comers. Many also pray for her to score wins against the sport’s top names, including No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
When Eala loses, much of the sentiment over social media is for her to fight on.
Fight on she does, and we can all relate.
In the meantime, no politician has taken advantage of “Alexmania” or sent her congratulatory messages whenever she wins. This is the right move, because politicians who do that will surely get mocked. I need not explain this.
As I write this column, Eala has made it to the quarterfinals of the Miami Open. This is already a big deal and happens amid the backdrop of top 10 player Iga Swiatek making an exit.
Swiatek getting beaten by an almost unheralded opponent speaks volumes of the unpredictability of tennis — and Eala also proved that when she beat the top 10 player at Miami a year ago.
In short, anything can happen in tennis. And the fans of Eala seem to be loving it also.
So, every win by Eala gets the nation roaring. For those watching her matches live in a foreign land, the impact can be more telling — overseas Filipinos get an emotional rush and are proud to declare that Eala is Filipina and they are Filipinos.
For us watching over social media in the Philippines, a win by Eala can take our minds off bad developments such as potentially higher inflation rate this month, increasing global oil and local fuel prices, and a floundering economy. Even if that happens for a moment, it helps us Filipinos cope with the reality that the Philippines may be turning into a hell hole.
So, as Eala makes her way to the top slowly but surely, Alexmania and the rise of “Alexnatics” or “Ealanatics” cannot be stopped. Especially as living in the Philippines becomes very challenging.
Tennis also allowing players to play often is also a plus factor for Eala, as this gives her more visibility win or lose. Comparatively speaking, top boxers cannot fight every quarter or three months unless they want to get burned out.
Let me caution though that let us not heap so much expectations on Eala, like barging into the top 10 within the year. But if that happens this year, there is definitely no stopping Ealamania.
ANTI-THESIS
Conrad Carino
