Alexandra Eala’s historic run to the fourth round of Wimbledon has filled Filipinos with immense pride. But more than her fearless, skillful victory over defending champion Iga Swiatek, it was her rise to giant-killer status that once again inspired the nation.

Her triumph comes at a time when Filipinos are once again immersed in political discourse, one that has occupied the public for months even as other pressing issues continue to shape daily life.

The country today is marked by vigorous political debate, rapid technological change, economic optimism tempered by rising living costs, and a citizenry that expects more from its institutions than ever before.

But when the headlines suggest that the future of ordinary Filipinos grows more uncertain because their own leaders have become part of the problem, many inevitably begin to consider leaving.

While the so-called brain drain is no longer at the forefront of public discussion, a significant number of Filipinos still aspire to work or settle abroad. This raises a larger question: What would make more people believe they can build a fulfilling future at home?

Nation-building is about creating opportunities that encourage people to invest their talents in the Philippines.

Yet the numbers tell another story. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, an estimated 2.19 million Filipino workers were employed abroad during the April to September 2024 reference period, up from 2.16 million in 2023. About 57.2 percent were women, while nearly 98 percent were overseas contract workers with valid employment contracts.

The number of overseas Filipino workers has steadily increased over the past three years: 1.96 million in 2022, 2.16 million in 2023, and 2.19 million in 2024.

Filipinos, as Alex Eala has said, have a strong sense of community. That is why we rally behind those who excel in their fields and cheer them on whenever the opportunity arises.

The sad reality, however, is that many do not feel the same level of support from those in positions of power who have the ability to improve people’s lives.

Perhaps that is one reason overseas employment remains a national aspiration.

More than two million Filipinos continue to work abroad, a reminder that for many families, the promise of a better life is still pursued beyond our shores.

Their remittances sustain households and contribute significantly to the economy. Their continued presence overseas should also prompt us to ask: What conditions would encourage more Filipinos to believe they can build the same future at home?

Alex’s story is different from that of most Filipinos, but her success offers inspiration and hope. It invites us to imagine a Philippines where people can thrive, and where working abroad is one opportunity among many — not the only path to a better life.