Manila, Sept. 17 -- Filipina tennis star Alex Eala is being honored in an unusual way - through a giant rice-paddy artwork at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) campus in the Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija.

Created by PhilRice's Community Relations Office, the artwork features Eala's image as a tribute to her achievements and growing stature in global tennis.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the artwork is the Department of Agriculture family's way of recognizing Eala's contributions to Philippine sports.

"Truly, Alex is a proud Pinoy, and Filipinos take pride in what she has accomplished and what she will accomplish. This is the Department of Agriculture family's way of saying, 'Salamat (thank you...