A Filipino-made sculpture inspired by tennis star Alex Eala has drawn mixed reactions online, prompting its elderly artist to apologize for the artwork.
The life-like statue, located at Paraiso de June Quixote Ecofarm Resort in Naic, Cavite, first gained attention online after Instagram user Owhen Ranger shared a video of it in April.
The sculpture depicts Eala in a tennis-playing pose, with a tarpaulin behind it that reads: “Alex Eala now the most famous Filipino in the world.”
In the video, people could be heard commenting on the statue’s resemblance to the Filipina tennis star.
“Si Alex. Parang tumanda siya. Hawig din naman niya. Hindi talaga [ka-face]. Parang mukha talagang intsik. Tignan mo ‘pag naka-side ang haba ng leeg? Pinoy ba ‘yan?”
Eala herself appeared to react to the viral post, leaving a blushing, surprised face emoji in the comments section.
While some online users appreciated the effort behind the artwork, others said the sculpture did not closely resemble Eala.
Some even made playful comparisons to other personalities, including Alex Gonzaga, Alex Cabagnot, and Alex Calleja, while others described it as a “cheaper” or “knock-off version” of the athlete.
Following the online reactions, the sculpture’s artist, Ruel Arviola Catigan, publicly apologized for the statue.
In an exclusive interview with News5 on Sept. 24, Catigan explained that he had more than a week to complete the sculpture, which was commissioned by Paraiso de June Quixote Ecofarm Resort as a tribute to the celebrated tennis player.
Catigan said he initially formed the structure using steel and cement before spending the remaining three days working on the statue’s details and physical features to make it resemble Eala.
“Sa mga hindi po nagkagusto, pasensya na po kayo, dala lang po ng medyo kulang po sa araw. Pero, buong puso po na inano namin ni Boss June, na ginawa, para maihandog nga kay Ma’am Alex,” Catigan said, referring to June Ducat, the owner of the resort.
“Sana po ma-appreciate niyo… pasensya na rin kayo kung ginawa kung ganyan… medyo nagkaroon ng conflict doon sa mukha, pero masaya naman po ako dahil naano naman po namin ni Boss June Ducat… nagawa namin para mapakita nga sa kanya ‘yung pag-honor namin bilang, nakikiisa kami, bilang Pilipino tayo na nagkakaisa sa kanyang mga karangalan po mula sa ibang bansa,” he added.
Despite the criticism, Catigan said he was grateful for the opportunity to create the sculpture as a tribute to Eala and her achievements.
“Maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyo. Ganoon po talaga tayo eh. Hayaan niyo, pagbubutihin na lang po. At kay Ma’am Alex naman po, ma’aam, maraming, maraming salamat po, una sa lahat, sa pagbibigay karangalan dito sa ating bayan,” he said.
Catigan also expressed his admiration for Eala, praising the tennis star for bringing pride to the Philippines through her historic achievements.
“Kayo po ay, kumbaga, maituturing pinakakilalang female ano ngayon. Kayo po ay nagbibigay ng malaking pagkilala sa ating lahi. Maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyo, ma’am. Muli, pasensya na po kayo,” the artist added.
