Behind Alex Eala's bespoke Sampaguita earrings at the National Bank Open
Whenever she steps onto the international stage, Alex Eala makes it a point to showcase her roots—whether through her Filipino speeches or subtle wardrobe choices.
Among these touches, one symbol has become deeply intertwined with her journey: the sampaguita, the Philippines' national flower.
"The sampaguita—the flower of my country. A reminder of where I come from—and everything that brought me here. Ang sampaguita ay paalala ng aking pinanggalingan at ng kulturang lagi kong dala-dala," she shared in an Instagram post last year.
Eala is frequently spotted carrying her Nike x Alex Eala "In Full Bloom" Sampaguita canvas tote bag to her matches, as well as her limited-edition T-shirt that artist Georgina Camus designed for Nike Philippines.
But the floral motif doesn't stop there. Recently at the WTA 1000 National Bank Open in Toronto, Canada, the tennis star took the court in a pink and maroon Nike kit paired with delicate pearl earrings. As it turns out, the jewelry was a gift from Filipino designer Kristine Dee.
Dee told PhilSTAR L!fe, "It was a lovely surprise to see her wearing them. We are honored and blessed."
Though not available for purchase, Dee revealed that the bespoke piece features 14k gold, hand-carved pink mother-of-pearl, and diamonds—all shaped into the form of a sampaguita flower.
"These earrings were specially crafted and designed for Alex Eala as a tribute to her courage, passion, grace, and Filipino pride," she said.
The same relentless spirit is reflected in Eala's personal mantra, "Kapag lumago, hindi na hihinto," which she hopes will inspire every Filipino to keep pushing through life's challenges.
"I think the reason it resonates with a lot of people is because the phrase gives hope," she said during the Nike homecoming event last month. "Sometimes life is tough, and sometimes life knocks you down. The dreams and the hope of achieving them are what keep you going. I think everybody deserves to dream big, and everybody has the right to go for the dreams they have."
Eala debuted in the singles draw of the 2026 Canadian Open, or the National Bank Open, with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 win over Alycia Parks in the Round of 64. Her next match is against Caty McNally in the Round of 32 on Saturday, Aug. 8 at around 12 a.m. (Philippine time).
For those interested to get a similar pair, message @kristinedeejewellery on Instagram or book an appointment by texting +63906-3264490.
