BATANGAS Rep. Gerville Luistro made a lighthearted remark about Alexandra Eala’s choice of playing attire after the Filipina tennis star’s green outfit during her title-winning run at the Mubadala DC Open became the subject of online political speculation.
Speaking during a House of Representatives press conference, Luistro asked, “bakit si Alex Eala, laging naka-green?”
A voice from the audience replied, “kaya siya inaangkin ng DDS eh,” referring to the supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Luistro then responded, “kaya nga ‘di ba. O kaya mag-red siya,” a color associated to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., Duterte-Carpio’s former runningmate and now rival.
Another attendee pointed out that Eala had already changed her outfit color, saying, “Naka-pink po siya today,” a color linked to former Vice President Leni Robredo.
Luistro also suggested that Eala could wear her signature blue color, saying, “dapat mag-blue naman siya.”
Eala wore green outfits throughout much of her successful campaign at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, where she made history by becoming the first Filipina to win a WTA Tour singles championship.
For her opening match at the National Bank Open in Toronto, however, the 21-year-old appeared in a pink outfit as she defeated American Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, to advance to the third round of the WTA 1000 tournament.
The discussion came after Eala’s green attire during the Washington tournament drew attention on social media, with some users attempting to attach political meaning to the color of her outfit. (Adrian Co)
