Sculptor Apologizes After Alex Eala-Inspired Statue Goes Viral
The sculptor who created Alex Eala’s statue apologized after admitting that the figure did not look like the tennis sensation.
The sculpture, which is displayed at Paraiso de June Quixote, an ecofarm and resort in Cavite, was created as a tribute to Eala and her achievements in bringing pride to the Philippines through tennis.
The figure shows a tennis player wearing a red sports outfit, a visor, and holding a racket. While some found the artwork amusing because they felt it did not closely resemble Eala, others appreciated the effort behind the tribute and recognized the intention of honoring one of the country’s rising sports stars.
The attention eventually reached Eala herself. She noticed the viral post and reacted to it on social media, which further increased public interest in the statue. However, there was no indication that she was offended or upset by the artwork.
Recently, the sculptor Ruel Arviola Catigan publicly apologized and admitted that the statue did not accurately capture Eala’s likeness. He acknowledged the feedback from the public and expressed his desire to improve the sculpture in the future.
“sorry kung Hindi mo po kamukha,” he said.
The artist also assured supporters that he would work harder to create a version that more closely resembles the tennis star.
Meanwhile, June Ducat, the owner of the resort where the statue is displayed, explained that the project was commissioned purely as a tribute. The goal was to recognize Eala’s accomplishments and the honor she has brought to the country through her success in international tennis competitions.
Despite the mixed reactions online, both the owner and the sculptor emphasized that the statue was created out of admiration and respect for the young athlete.
The social media users expressed their reactions to his statement:
