Nueva ecija: Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is being honored in an unusual way - through a giant rice-paddy artwork at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) campus in the Science City of Mu±oz, Nueva Ecija. Created by PhilRice's Community Relations Office, the artwork features Eala's image as a tribute to her achievements and growing stature in global tennis.

According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the artwork is the Department of Agriculture family's way of recognizing Eala's contributions to Philippine sports. 'Truly, Alex is a proud Pinoy, and Filipinos take pride in what she has accomplished and what she will accomplish. This is the Department of Agriculture family's way of saying, 'Salamat (thank you), Alex!'' he said in a statement. 'This is great, a very fitting acknowledgment of what Alex Eala has done for Philippine tennis and for uniting Filipinos wherever they are in the world,' Tiu Laurel added.

PhilRice Executive Director John de Leon noted that Eala's image will become more distinct as the rice plants mature and change color in October. 'Our Community Relations Office thought, why not honor Alex in the way we know best, with rice? As the rice matures and changes color in October, her image will become even clearer,' he said.

Eala reached a career-high No. 18 in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) singles rankings in September, the highest ranking ever achieved by a Filipino tennis player. She recently skipped the China Open to represent the Philippines at the Asian Games.

PhilRice has previously featured other Filipino sports icons, including boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and Olympic weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, in its rice-paddy artworks.