Filipino artist Pau Tiu is creating 'Laban Alex' prints in Queens to cheer on tennis star Alex Eala. As Eala reaches the third round of the 2026 U.S. Open, these artworks have become symbols of diaspora pride in New York.
From the D.C. Open to the 2026 U.S. Open Third Round
Tennis player Alex Eala has rapidly become a global icon for the Filipino community, establishing a pattern of diaspora mobilization that spans from Toronto and Dubai to Melbourne. According to the report, Eala recently achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Filipino to win a WTA Tour singles title after defeating Jessica Pegula in the D.C. Open final. This momentum has carried into her 2026 U.S. Open debut, where she secured victories over Mary Stoiana (6-1, 6-2) and Oleksandra Oliynykova (6-1, 6-4) to advance to the third round.
The surge of support for Alex Eala is part of a broader trend where the Filipino diaspora utilizes international sporting stages to assert national identity. The sight of Filipino flags filling a 14,000-capacity arena in Queens underscores how athletic success can act as a catalyst for cultural visibility and unity among displaced populations.
The 'Bad Student' Studio in a Queens Episcopal Church
Pau Tiu operates a creative hub known as "Bad Student" out of a second-floor room in an Episcopal church in Queens.. As the source describes, Tiu utilizes risograph printing—a technique involving fluorescent ink and office-sized printers learned during a class in Singapore—to produce the "Laban Alex" posters. The phrase "Laban Alex" translates to "Battle,Alex," and the designs have been inspired by a mix of vintage Filipino posters and contemporary New York lottery advertisements.
The "Bad Student" philosophy,as described by Pau Tiu, centers on the freedom to be "awful" before becoming proficient, allowing for an exploratory approach to art. This studio has previously served the local community by printing posters for the NBA's New York Knicks, but the current focus has shifted toward the "Eala-mania" sweeping the tennis world.
A 2-Year Journey for Marriage Equality and Artistic Freedom
The artistic output of Pau Tiu is deeply intertwined with a personal quest for legal recognition and safety. Pau Tiu and their spouse, Felize Camille, moved to the United States two years ago specifically to legally marry and live openly, as same-sex marriage remains illegal in the Philippines. The couple previously had to maintain their relationship in secret, highlighting the stark contrast between their current life in Queens and the restrictions they faced in their home country.
This personal liberation mirrors the public triumph of Alex Eala. For artists like Pau Tiu, the ability to openly support a national hero while living in a supportive legal environment adds a layer of emotional significance to the "Laban Alex" campaign, transforming simple sports posters into symbols of both national and personal freedom.
Bridging 8,500 Miles Between Queens and the Philippines
The "Laban Alex" movement is a coordinated effort that transcends geography, linking New York to the Philippines across a distance of 8,500 miles. Pau Tiu's brother, Kiko, and his partner, Ashley Palabrica, have printed identical versions of the posters at the Bad Student studio in the Philippines. Despite a 12-hour time difference, the two studios have created a visual bridge that allows fans on both sides of the world to share a synchronized experience of national pride.
However, several details regarding the scale of this operation remain unclear. It is not specified how many posters Pau Tiu has distributed to the public or if there is a formal organizational body coordinating the "Laban Alex" effort. Additionally, while the report mentions that Nike featured a Sampaguita flower—the national flower of the Philippines—on a visor for Alex Eala at Wimbledon, it remains unknown if this design was a result of a collaboration with local artists like Pau Tiu or an independent corporate decision.
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