Filipino tennis star Alex Eala lets fans get to know her off the court by blind ranking her favorite—and not-so-favorite—Filipino dishes.
Sports fans already know Alex Eala, our rising Filipino tennis ace who keeps bringing honor to the country on the global stage.
She’s already making Filipinos proud—but how well do you really know her?
In a fun TikTok post from the WTA 500 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, Alex let fans get to know her better… by blind ranking Filipino dishes!
As they say, you get to know someone through what they eat. Rankings went from 5 (lowest) to 1 (highest).
First up: Menudo
“Oh my God, you started strong. I’m gonna go with 2.”
Who wouldn’t love this hearty stew, all simmered in rich tomato sauce—especially if you get it for free during fiesta season?
Next: Lechon Kawali
“I’ll go with 3 because I think there is so much better, but I love Lechon Kawali.”
Good call, Lex! Crispy and indulgent as ever.
Hot take: Adobo
“People are gonna hate me for this, but 5 because it’s basic, it’s staple. But I feel like there are better tastes out there,” Eala admitted.
Sorry, Adobo fans—today is not your day!
Dark horse: Caldereta
“1.” (Laughs) “Because Menudo and Caldereta are kind of the same thing.”
We see your type, Alex—rich, flavorful, and comforting!
And last, but not least: Kare-Kare
“I’m not a Kare-Kare person. So I’ll go with 4. Don’t hate me, but I’m not a big fan of Kare-Kare.”
Even the crispy ones didn’t win her over!
Just like her Filipino food choices, Alex continues to bring surprises—and excitement—every time she steps onto the court.
[RELATED: Alex Eala honored to play with close friend Zeynep Sönmez at Abu Dhabi Open]
For the Abu Dhabi Open, Eala is through to the second round after powering past her very good friend Zeynep Sönmez, 6-4, 6-3.
She’ll also team up with Indonesian standout Janice Tjen in doubles, representing Southeast Asia against a formidable duo: Canada’s Leylah Fernandez and France’s Kristina Mladenovic.
Filipinas in tennis are serving it up—both on the court and at the table.
Watch the video here:
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Inna Mina is a sportswriter with a passion for telling stories that go beyond the scoreboard.
She covers running, athletics, and other major Philippine sporting events, while also following grassroots sports, athlete journeys, and women in sports. Her work also includes lifestyle stories on health, fitness, and community.