During a visit to her old Tennis Academy in Manila, Alex Eala—now an internationally renowned tennis star—expected a nostalgic walk down memory lane. But as she stepped onto the familiar courts, she was stunned to see a familiar figure still moving swiftly between the sidelines. It was Mr. John, the academy’s longtime ball boy, now 79 years old, still chasing down errant balls with the same dedication he had shown when Alex was just a child learning to swing a racket.
Curious and concerned, Alex approached him, only to learn that Mr. John had never retired. Despite his age, he continued to work long hours, not for love of the game alone, but to support his grandchildren’s education and keep food on the table. Deeply moved, Alex knew she couldn’t walk away without doing something.
That same week, Alex took action. She set up a trust fund to cover Mr. John’s family’s needs, ensuring he would never have to work again. But she didn’t stop there. She launched the “Rally for Dreams” initiative—an ongoing program supporting retired sports workers across the country with pensions, healthcare, and educational assistance for their families.
The Tennis Academy held a special ceremony, where Alex publicly honored Mr. John’s decades of service, presenting him with a lifetime achievement award and the first official grant from the program. The moment went viral across social media and news platforms, sparking national conversations on the often-overlooked heroes behind athletes’ success.
Alex Eala’s unexpected gesture didn’t just transform Mr. John’s life—it sent a powerful message across the Philippines: that gratitude, compassion, and action can serve as a grand slam in the game of life.
