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Alex Eala’s Canadian Open Debut Has Adobo on the Menu

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For the first time, a Filipino dish has appeared on the Canadian Open menu—and Alex Eala has something to do with it.As Eala made her Canadian Open debut in Toronto, chicken adobo appeared at the tournament’s Changeover Kitchen, bringing one of the Philippines’ most recognizable dishes to a major international tennis event. Then, as Filipino fans turned up in force for her matches, pork lumpia joined it.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786421684862viber_image_2026-08-11_11-49-59-820.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>The Alex effect: adobo and lumpia debut on the Canadian Open menu | Photos: @nbotoronto, @wimbledon and @gillgross_</div><ul><li data-end="359" data-start="288" id="isPasted" style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)">The adobo came first: pan-fried chicken served over steamed white rice and finished with leeks, priced at CAD $17.</li></ul>Executive Chef Ashtad Dadachanji said the dish was inspired by Eala and the Filipino community filling the stands. For him, it was more than a taste of home; it was a tribute to the community behind the noise, singing, music, flags, and cheering around the tournament.Then came the lumpia.Ahead of Eala’s Round of 16 match against Belinda Bencic, Changeover Kitchen announced the addition with a simple message: “Fans, we heard your voice. We delivered.”The pork lumpia costs CAD $12 and comes with chicharron crumbs, garlic chips, crushed peanuts, and banana ketchup.It is hard to imagine a more Filipino response to a tennis breakthrough: show up in thousands, wave the flag, cheer loudly—and get lumpia added to the menu.Eala arrived in Toronto fresh from winning the Mubadala DC Open, where she defeated World No. 3 Jessica Pegula to become the first Filipino player to win a WTA Tour-level singles title.Her Canadian Open debut drew a sellout crowd, with Filipino fans making their presence unmistakable.That was enough to make food part of the Eala effect, too.The Canadian Open had never had a Filipino dish on its menu before. Now it has two.And while Eala is busy serving aces, Toronto is serving adobo and lumpia.We will take the win.

Alex Eala’s breakthrough run has brought Filipino food to the Canadian Open, with chicken adobo making its menu debut followed by pork lumpia at the Toronto tournament.

Alex Eala’s breakthrough run has brought Filipino food to the Canadian Open, with chicken adobo making its menu debut followed by pork lumpia at the Toronto tournament.

Alex Eala’s Canadian Open Debut Has Adobo on the Menu

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Alex Eala’s Canadian Open Debut Has Adobo on the Menu

Metro.Style

Published August 10, 2026 12:15 PM PHT

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Updated August 11, 2026 12:16 PM PHT

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alex eala

canadian open 2026

national bank open 2026

alex eala canadian open

filipino food

chicken adobo

pork lumpia

filipino food in toronto

changeover kitchen

ashtad Dadachanji

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