President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. celebrated the stellar accomplishments of Filipino athletes during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, emphasizing that his administration has tripled its funding for the national sports sector.
The President stressed that investing in sports extends beyond pure entertainment, serving as a vital driver for public health and national wellness.
“Hindi lamang dahil sa aliw na hatid nito, kundi para sa kalusugan. Sa nag-uumapaw nating suporta kay Alex Eala, sana ay marami ang maengganyo para matuto at maglaro hindi lamang ng tennis kundi ng iba pang sport,” Marcos stated.
Marcos specifically highlighted tennis sensation Alex Eala, who made history at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships as the first Filipino player to advance to the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles event.
Prior to the address, the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos welcomed Eala to Malacañang for a homecoming reception, where she received a Presidential Citation for her groundbreaking achievement.
The Chief Executive also praised the Philippine women’s national football team for securing a spot in their second straight FIFA Women’s World Cup, following a 2–0 victory over Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup playoffs. The global tournament is set to take place in Brazil next year.
Looking ahead, Marcos expressed optimism for the growth of football across the archipelago.
“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,” he added.