(Part I)

Don’t look now, but we’re already at the half point of 2025; and I’ll make this my opportunity to reflect on some things I’ve observed this year, and let’s see whether you’ll be in agreement with me. Or think me a cranky, fastidious cynic. And I bring them out in the hope that just maybe, if we react quickly enough, changes can happen within the balance year.

First on my list would be how the currency of language today is still hyperbole and fake news. It’s so prevalent that even when we put politics aside, we still see how it permeates into every nook and cranny of how we get the news and information. Exaggeration is king, and being ‘misinformed, but passing it off as authoritative’ is the royal consort.

An example of how this is so true? I’ll point you in the direction of something as seemingly innocuous as coverage and posts about Alex Eala, our pride and joy in the world of professional tennis. You’d think reports on her would be straightforward, factual, and yes, supportive. But knowing she is “clickbait,” I shudder when I peruse articles and posts that pertain to her, and realize “supportive” can easily go down the slippery slope of over-enthusiastic, less than objective, and just factually incorrect.

And please don’t get me wrong, as I’d like nothing more than for her to succeed and rise up the rankings - but this is about verity and truth in what’s being said. First, there is the fawning coverage that makes even a victory in the qualifying stage sound like a tournament win, or trophy raised. I know there’s the tendency to get over-excited, but it really is a disservice to Eala herself, as I then note how muted the coverage becomes if she loses in the next round. This is where ‘curbing our enthusiasm’ might be the way to go, and reserving our plaudits for when she does accomplish something substantial - like her Miami Open run to the Semi-Finals, when she was upsetting players ranked above her, and her sensational Eastbourne Open results of the past week - first Filipina to reach a WTA Final (I’m writing this before the Finals).

In minor tournaments, like a recent WTA 125, where Eala was the highest ranked player; her early round wins should in fact be automatic, as they’re against unranked players. Even saw one media report that covered a Nottingham match win for Eala, and mentioned how the opponent, Gracheva, was once ranked #39 in the world - completely omitting the fact that this opponent is currently ranked in the 110’s, way below Eala, who’s in the 50’s to 60’s. For me, that’s reportage that’s factual, but paints a wrong picture by trying to make the win look like a major upset.

Then there was the social media post I saw that threw shade on Sabalenka’s comments that had racial overtones, and the one sharing the post had the gall to introduce the post with her own comment that this came as a result of Eala upsetting Sabalenka in a tournament. The fact is the two have never played a match against each other. The woman posting hadn’t even bothered to check her facts, but there she was all high and mighty, providing context like it was the gospel truth. Sad, as others would take her being so authoritative at face value…. and be misinformed! Or even re-share the post, and perpetuate the un-truth.

And I get it, Alexandra is accomplishing things as a Filipino, and that is a rarity in the world of pro tennis. When thinking about how “eager” we get when it comes to displaying Pinoy Pride, I’m reminded of the recent Tony Awards of Broadway, and our coverage of the 2021 US Open - when Lelah Fernandez faced Emma Raducanu in the Ladies’ Finals. That Lelah had a Filipino mother had so many go into “adoption frenzy;” literally calling her Filipino, and not a Canadian of Filipino descent.

I’m sorry, I have nothing against Lelah Fernandez; but she does represent Canada in the Olympics. If ever the day comes that she goes up against Alex Eala on the Olympic stage, Lelah may call herself Fil-Canadian; but only one result will mean anything for the Philippines Olympic tally. I can already see the social media comments of that imagined match, and their ‘no matter the result, a Win for the Filipino’.

On a brighter note, I am proud that in the 2025 Digital News Report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, the Manila Bulletin retained it’s status as one of the most trusted media brands in the Philippines. Sixty-two percent of respondents said they trusted the Manila Bulletin - and only 10 percent said they distrust the media platform, while 28 percent expressed a neutral view on the query.

In this era of fake news, I take this public trust as a supreme accomplishment, and compliment. The highest trust rating enjoyed went to GMA Network at 67 percent. The Philippine Daily Inquirer scored 63 percent; and we were overall, the third highest rated media brand. We’re taking a well-deserved bow, and thank the public for the vote of confidence.