Tennis sensation Alex Eala earned praised after refusing to sign a Philippine flag presented to her while autographing memorabilia for fans and following her historic DC Open victory.
A video of the 21-year-old tennis star signing items for fans circulated online, with some viewers noting her apparent awareness of the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.
Alex recently made history as the first Filipino to win a WTA Tour-level singles title after defeating World No. 3 Jessica Pegula of the United States at the 2026 Mubadala DC Open.
She also climbed to World No. 20 in the WTA rankings following her triumph, making her the highest-ranked Filipino in WTA Tour history.
ALSO READ: ‘And other girls dreamed’: Alex Eala celebrates historic WTA 500 title with trophy dance | Tennis: Filipina Alex Eala lives up to the hype with Washington triumph | Tennis: Philippines’ Alex Eala wins first WTA title, Taylor Fritz claims Washington crown
After her historic DC Open victory, Alex was spotted signing memorabilia for fans, with some taking notice how she interacted with the crowd.
“‘Walang tulakan po.’ ‘Sorry, no pushing.’ ‘Walang tulakan please.’ ‘Bawal sa flag.’ Little things, but how can you not love this girl even more?” an online user commented, quoting some of Alex’s comments.
“‘Bawal sa flag.’ Kahit nasa abroad, may respeto pa rin sa bandila. Ganyan ang tamang Filipino representation,” another wrote.
“Bawal sa flag”
Kahit nasa abroad, may respeto pa rin sa bandila. Ganyan ang tamang Filipino representation. https://t.co/pW6pNa3Q5J
— Quito 🌸📡|BINI Signals World Tour 2026 📡 (@QuitoNitura) August 4, 2026
In the video, someone from the crowd handed Alex what appeared to be a Philippine flag for her to sign.
Others, meanwhile, offered her a tennis ball and caps for autographs.
“Bawal sa flag,” Alex said after seeing the Philippine flag being handed to her.
Her knowledge of the Flag and Heraldic Code impressed online users, who praised her for following the law.
“This. Genuine patriotism isn’t just waving the flag… it’s respecting it, even when it means saying ‘no.’ Kudos to Alex for standing by that principle,” an X user commented.
“Buti pa si Alex alam na bawal sulatan ang flag. Sagrado ang watawat,” another wrote.
“The little things say the most about someone’s character,” another X user commented.
“I love the fact that she knows how to respect the flag,” a different X user wrote.
“‘Yung sabi niyan bawal sa flag — sobrang green flag siya diyan, mygash our PH pride, ibang level,” another Pinoy commented.
Republic Act 8491, also known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, states that it is prohibited to “add any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawings, advertisements, or imprint of any nature on the flag.”
It is also prohibited to “mutilate, deface, defile, trample, on or cast contempt any act or omission casting dishonor or ridicule upon the flag over its surface.”
The law states that “reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded the flag, the anthem and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity.”
“The heraldic items and devices shall seek to manifest the national virtues and to inculcate in the minds and hearts of our people a just pride in their native land, fitting respect and affection for the national flag and anthem, and the proper use of the national motto, coat-of-arms and other heraldic items and device,” it added.
