Like in the movies, IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. yesterday popped the question to girlfriend Rachel Marcial and sang a love song that swept the Fil-Am taekwondo jin off her feet during the taping of a talk show at the Makisig studios in Quezon City.
Donaire’s proposal took Makisig owner Hermie Esguerra, Makisig executive vice president Manny Viray, guest Noli Eala and the studio audience by surprise. The fighter walked up to Marcial, asked her to marry him then sang Jason Mraz’ “I’m Yours.” Marcial said “of course” as they hugged and kissed before the TV cameras.
The talk show, which featured Donaire in an arm wrestling match with 250-pound Buboy Arcilla, will air in a few weeks.
Donaire, 25, and Marcial, 25, arrived from San Francisco last month. They were in Cebu for the Sinulog festival last weekend with Donaire’s mother Imelda and uncle Fr. Matias Gonzales, parish priest of Buenavista, Bohol.
“I spoke with my uncle Fr. Matias, my mother’s brother, about it,” said Donaire. “I told him I’ve found the girl of my dreams. My brothers and sister are all married and I’m the only single one in the family. I’ve waited for someone like Rachel to come along and now, I’ve found her. Fr. Matias and my mom gave their blessing. They gave me the courage to propose to Rachel.”
Donaire said they plan a civil ceremony in the US and a church wedding in Manila after his title defense against Hussein Hussein in Dubai on April 4.
“This won’t make me lose focus for my fight,” said Donaire. “Starting a family with Rachel will only make me work harder. I’ll be two, three, four times stronger. I won’t let anything jeopardize my boxing career. I’ll never be complacent. I’m a disciplined person. My goal is to become the first Asian to win titles in more than three weight divisions.”
Eala, who witnessed the marriage proposal, said he couldn’t believe it at first.
“I was surprised but pleasantly surprised,” said Eala who is organizing the historic Dubai fight, the first world title bout in the Middle East. “I’m happy for Jun-Jun and Rachel. This gives Jun-Jun something more to fight for.”
Donaire said Marcial, who is trying out for the Philippine taekwondo team, is the perfect partner because she has an athlete’s mentality.
“She understands me,” said Donaire. “When I’m in training, when I’m trying to make weight, when I’m watching film of my opponent, she knows what I’m going through. I’m also learning from her. She teaches me how to strengthen my legs, how to increase my speed and mobility. We run and go to the gym together. We complement each other.”
Donaire and Marcial met after he knocked out Vic Darchinyan for the IBF crown last July. Marcial’s friend Ana (Hurricane) Julaton, a pro boxer, introduced them during a party in San Francisco. The party was to celebrate Marcial’s victories in the AAU Championships, the US Collegiate Nationals and the World University Games trials.
Marcial said the connection was almost immediate. “I’d heard about him but never seen his fights,” continued Marcial. “During my party, he was being mobbed by fans and I wondered why the fuss. He later asked me to dance and before we knew it, we were dating.”
Marcial was born in the US, the elder of two girls. Her parents Gerry and Becky are both taekwondo belters. Her grandparents Eduardo, a former Philippine Airlines engineer, and Ines, an accountant, migrated to the US in 1968. Marcial made her Philippine debut at the Milo Nationals, bagging the gold as a finweight in 1999.
Marcial later joined the US Air Force and pocketed the silver medal at the World Military Championships in 2002.
