Alex Eala stuns in Filipiniana at Laureus Sports Awards as Bianca Bustamante was also present in Madrid.
Two of the brightest young stars in Philippine sports, Alex Eala and Bianca Bustamante, attended the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, Spain, proudly representing the country on one of the biggest stages in global sports.
Known as one of the most prestigious nights in sports, the Laureus Awards gathers some of the biggest names across different disciplines, making the presence of two Filipina athletes another proud moment for Philippine sports and a reflection of the country’s growing impact on the international scene.
Eala turned heads on the red carpet in a Filipiniana designed by her uncle, renowned Filipino fashion designer Rhett Eala. The striking ensemble featured a flowing beige chiffon gown with a tasteful waist cut-out, paired with a piña bolero that blended modern elegance with timeless Filipino craftsmanship.
The young tennis star once again embraced her roots on the world stage, sharing a preview of the look through a TikTok video with a local song as background music, emphasizing the Filipino roots ahead of the prestigious event.
She captioned her post, “Playing princess for the evening,” while also sharing in an interview with Tennis Channel that wearing the traditional attire had long been one of her dreams, especially for a milestone occasion like the Laureus Awards.
“I always had this dream that when I’m on a red carpet, I’ll wear what’s called a Filipiniana,” she said. “It’s my first major red carpet, and this is the time.”
According to Eala, the gown was completed and shipped to Spain in only a few days, making it possible for her to proudly showcase a piece of home in Madrid.
The interview took place after Eala successfully defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets to advance in Madrid Open. Another win for the sensation and she continues to rise in world tennis after competing in Grand Slam tournaments, building a name among the sport’s brightest emerging talents, continuing to establish herself on the global stage.
Next up, Alex Eala continues her campaign at the Madrid Open, competing in both singles and doubles.
Joining her at the event was Bianca Bustamante, the Filipina racing prodigy who continues to break barriers in motorsport. Bustamante made history as one of the first Filipinas to compete in the F1 Academy and remains one of the country’s most promising young athletes on the international racing scene.
Bustamante and Eala were also seen sharing the moment together in Madrid, as two rising Filipina stars from different sports stood side by side on the world stage, proudly carrying the Philippine flag in their respective fields.
Banner Images from Alex Eala on Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
The dress was designed by Alex Eala’s uncle, the renowned Filipino fashion designer Rhett Eala.
The gown is a flowing beige chiffon piece featuring a tasteful waist cut-out, paired with a traditional piña bolero, blending modern red-carpet style with timeless Filipino craftsmanship.
Wearing a Filipiniana to a major red-carpet event had been a long-time dream for the tennis star; she chose the Laureus Sports Awards as her milestone moment to proudly embrace and showcase her roots on the international stage.
According to Eala, the dress was completed and shipped to her in Spain in just a few days, allowing her to wear it for the prestigious event in Madrid.
Filipina racing prodigy Bianca Bustamante also attended the Laureus World Sports Awards, where the two rising stars were seen celebrating their shared representation of the Philippines on the global sports stage.
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