Alex Eala aware of misinformation about her, hopes people turn to reliable sources

Alexandra “Alex” Eala has become the subject of online misinformation, particularly as her tennis career continues to grow.

Eala said she is aware of the increasing misinformation circulating online that uses her name, but she hopes the public becomes more discerning about where they get their news.

“That’s not really under my control. I don't have power over what other people post. I am aware that there have been a lot of fake news articles,” she said after a game at the Philippine Women's Open.

“It is concerning because I see sometimes they get a lot of likes and it's difficult to understand, to tell the difference when you see it online. I know a lot of people sometimes can get misinformed."

“I guess my take would be to tell them to just try to find reliable sources of news and just try to listen to the dependable outlets.”

One recent example involved veteran GMA Network news anchor Mel Tiangco, who publicly denied an online post alleging an interaction with Eala.

“Baka po sakaling nakita ninyo ‘yung pekeng posts na ininsulto ko raw si Philippine tennis star Alex Eala. Tahasan ko pong sasabihing fake po ang mga post na ‘yan,” Tiangco said on 24 Oras last January 23.

“Sabi pa sa mga pekeng post, sumagot pa raw si Eala gamit ang maaanghang na salita. Uulitin ko po, fake news po ‘yan.

“Wala po akong sinabing anumang negatibo laban kay Alex. Hindi ko rin siya ininsulto kailanman, bagkus, ipinagbubunyi ko siya at ipinagdarasal pa.”

Eala wrapped up her Philippine Women’s Open campaign following a quarterfinal loss to Camila Osorio on Thursday.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News