Negros Occidental lawmaker wants congressional medal for Alex Eala

‘I FOUGHT WITH MY HEART’ Alex Eala showed great fitness as she conquered the US Open Girls Singles field. “This victory is not only mine but ours,” she said afterward, addressing in Filipino the crowd, which included her compatriots. —KEATS LONDON

BACOLOD CITY — A congressman from Negros Occidental filed House Resolution No. 372 on Monday, September 12, to honor tennis prodigy Alex Eala, the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam singles title.

Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez of Negros Occidental’s third district cited Eala’s success as a source of pride and inspiration for the nation in seeking the conferment of the congressional medal of distinction to the 17-year-old tennis champion.

“Alex’s phenomenal performance and historic victory at the US Open brings great honor and joy to our country and serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for Filipino athletes and the youth,” Benitez said.

“The Filipino youth should emulate Alex’s determination, diligence, discipline and dedication. With these qualities, nothing is impossible,” he added.

Eala, whose ancestry can be traced to Victorias City, Negros Occidental through her father Mike, just won the US Open, formally the United States Open Tennis Championships Girls’ Singles event title, defeating the higher-ranked Czech player Lucie Havlickova.

READ: Alex Eala wins US Open girls crown, first Filipino to capture singles Grand Slam

Many athletes born and grew up in Negros Occidental or have family roots in the province have gained recognition in international sports competitions, such as brothers Roel and Onyok Velasco. They won bronze and silver medals in boxing at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, respectively.

Early in the 19th Congress, Benitez filed House Bill No. 75 to establish the Negros Occidental High School for Sports to be located in EB Magalona. He said that the school, which will be part of the National Academy of Sports System, will cultivate the skills of young Negrense athletes throughout the province.