The Philippine Women’s Open on 26 January will not just be another tennis event for the Philippines but will determine how the rest of the year’s roster of events will run from start to finish.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said they are making sure the prestigious Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 tournament is a must-see.

Stars like former world No. 17 and Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic of Croatia, No. 45 Tatjana Maria of Germany as well as No. 57 Wang Xinyu of China, No. 66 Solana Sierra of Argentina, No. 90 Lulu Sun of New Zealand and No. 94 Moyuka Uchijima of Japan are expected to attend.

Alex Eala might also join the fray in the event she gets eliminated early in the Australian Open, which starts on 18 January at Melbourne Park.

“Before we open on the 26th, the people will see the changes.  When they enter the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, there is a fan zone, they will see the history of Philippine tennis, and a beautiful 2,000-seat tennis arena await them when they get out,” said Gregorio, a seasoned sports executive before becoming the PSC chief.

“Sports tourism is the easiest way to promote the country. The biggest events in the world are sports events.”

Gregorio said the event will set the bar on other sporting events in the Philippines to ensure all of them will have the same world-class setting.

Gregorio said he is inviting President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos to watch the games live.

“We still have a lot of events: Asian Circuit Golf at Wack Wack, World Karate Championships, basketball, surfing and the World Surf League in Siargao,” Gregorio said.

“We invited the President and First Lady and we hope they will be available because we will be able to show the fruits of his trust in Philippine sports and National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee.”