The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Though just 21 summers old, our very own Alexandra Eala, in my estimation, is already great. At 13, she embarked for Spain to insulate herself for a sport she loves, as others are struggling withtheir identities, gender, career and a future . There, Alexandra parks herself at the Rafa Nadal Academy for years of gruellingpreparation for a future in professional tennis. To be able to discern that early what one wants in life is a huge determination and risk, when the end of the tunnel is not yet in sight, much less a light awaiting there.
Fast forward to the present, she just won bragging rights for reaching the 3rd round at Wimbledon, that ultra-elite and exclusive camp of the best tennisters in the world. All dressed in white, the participants essay an edition of this year’s skirmishes of the best of the best players in tennis. But lo and behold, the crowd overflowing at the arena seams are attracted by the gravitational pull of a new star in town – our very own Alexandra the Great!
There is something about Alex that gathers the Filipinos scattered all over the world in an economic and social diaspora, to concentrate themselves wherever Alexandra plays. These atoms of Filipinoness working in hospitals and homes, in ships and stores, in beautiful and challenging jobs in every square meter of the globe, are fascinated by the brown phenomenon that is Alex. At 120 million souls population, easily ten percent are sprayed in all kinds of spaces and climes, only to be gathered in a tennis stadium should Alexandra be on the list of participants. And she does not do anything loud nor outrageous, but merely exhibit the grace and fluidity of style and movement benefiting a Filipina gazelle.
She needs no PR outfit. The product needs no embellishment. She does not claim patriotism, she merely acknowledges her Filipino audience and speaks their language. Then she effortlessly segues to English or Spanish as the occasion demands. Singlehandedly, Alexandra has lifted us all Filipinos up, when all the news and politicians keep bringing us all down.