Kia Philippines, a subsidiary of ACMobility, has set its sights on discovering and nurturing the country’s next generation of world-class tennis champions, throwing its support behind the search for “more Alex Ealas” through a grassroots partnership with the Philippine Tennis Academy (PTA).
The initiative mirrors the proven development pathway that propelled Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala to the global arena. Eala famously honed her elite game as a scholar at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain—an institution founded by 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, whose own storied career has been inextricably linked to Kia for more than two decades.
Kia was an early believer in Nadal, signing the Spanish prodigy in 2004 when he was just 17 years old and before he had captured a single Grand Slam title. That relationship evolved into one of modern sport’s most iconic athlete-brand alliances, with Kia elevating Nadal to global brand ambassador in 2006 and continuing that partnership into his legacy years with a shared focus on youth clinics, grassroots sports programs, and sustainable mobility.
Now, that same championship ethos takes root on local soil. Under its brand philosophy “Movement That Inspires,” Kia Philippines has officially launched its grassroots partnership with the PTA through the Play It Forward Fundraising Tournament in Alabang.
To drive this effort, Kia Philippines is committing an annual investment of P1 million dedicated to developing the academy’s promising young scholars:
Tournament exposure: Full funding covering registration fees, travel expenses, and accommodations for more than 30 scholar tournament participations across the competitive circuit;
Specialized development: Direct support for 10 selected scholars, providing advanced coaching, elite equipment, and specialized training funds;
Grassroots outreach: Hosting community tennis clinics and local tournaments to introduce the sport to a wider base of young Filipino athletes.
By bridging local grassroots funding with the inspiring pedigree of international champions, Kia Philippines and the PTA aim to dismantle financial barriers for deserving juniors, empowering tomorrow’s homegrown athletes to rise from local courts to the world stage.
To learn more about the initiative or explore Kia’s vehicle portfolio, visit kiaphilippines.com or follow Kia Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Banner photo shows the young tennis hopefuls with, front row (from left): PTA director Atty. Joey Torres and Play It Forward’s Nathania delos Reyes. Middle row: PTA director Andy Maglipon, Play It Forward’s Esther Ong-Lim, Kia Philippines marketing director Patrick Manigbas, PTA founder and chairman Rommie Chan, Play It Forward’s Kristine Yeung, and PTA director Tonico Climent. At the top is PTA director Raymond Suarez