Last Saturday, IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. and his wife Rachel marked their first wedding anniversary but there was little time to toast and make merry.
Donaire is in the final stages of preparation for his big fight against Panama’s Rafael (El Torito) Concepcion at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this weekend (Sunday morning, Manila time).
But Donaire said they’ll make up for the subdued celebration after he beats Concepcion. That way, it’ll be a double treat.
“Our anniversary is very special to us,” said Donaire. “For the past year, there have been a lot of people trying to bring us down but as long as we continue to support and be there for each other, we’re going to be good. There will be many more years to come.”
Donaire’s partnership with Rachel goes beyond a love affair. Rachel takes care of charting Donaire’s appointments, preparing his diet and watching over his finances – things he’d rather his wife focuses on so he can concentrate on his main business which is fighting for a living.
From the moment they met at a party to fete Donaire for winning the IBF title two years ago, the pair has been inseparable. Neither will admit love at first sight but it had to be. Donaire has never been knocked out in the ring. Rachel, however, swept him off his feet.
* * * *
“They always say the first year is the hardest but actually, it wasn’t for us,” said Rachel, a Fil-Am taekwondo champion born in the US to full-blooded Filipino parents. “We already know our love is strong. It was outside factors that tested us. Our relationship has been tested to the limits in such a short time that our anniversary just proves how strong our love is. I feel sorry for the people who tried to tear us apart because they must not know what true love is. If they did, they would have known that true love stands, come what may.”
Rachel declined to share details on those who tried to break them up and why. The speculation is when Rachel came into the picture, the bad guys who took advantage of Donaire were suddenly marginalized and they conspired to make life difficult for the couple.
Donaire declared that he couldn’t be happier with Rachel. “To my wife, happy anniversary,” he said. “I love you with all my being. Thank you for being strong and standing by me in all I do and for never faltering. God bless our marriage and many more years to come.”
As for his decision to wear Everlast yellow trunks for the Concepcion fight, Donaire said it’s to show his respect and deep admiration for the late President Cory Aquino.
“I’m not really into politics but I remember growing up that President Aquino was a big part of everyone’s life in the Philippines,” he said, quoted in the Asian Journal. “She made changes and tried to get the Philippines on track and better after President Marcos. All of the Philippines is mourning her death. And as a Filipino fighter and a Filipino, I give respect to those who have done well and continue to do well for our country. This fight is dedicated to her memory. I will wear yellow during my fight. I want to thank Everlast for making them on such short notice and understanding.”
* * * *
For her part, Rachel said this about President Aquino:
“Nonito and I have talked numerous times about President Aquino,” she related. “It’s so upsetting knowing that someone as influential, positively influential, has passed. I remember significantly after the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, how she drew inner strength to provide leadership for our people. I remember it specifically because my Lola and Lolo had brought back a Sto. Nino statue made out of the ashes from Mt. Pinatubo and telling me what President Aquino was doing to help.
“When speaking to my mom, she would always say that President Aquino’s strength came from being a Tarlaque?a and that women from our province were born with strength, confidence and compassion. Her faith in our country, her pride in our people and her faith in God stood unwavered through the ups and downs of the Philippines.
“It’s very rare that many people can look up to their leaders and trust in them to make moral decisions. Moral decision-making, unfortunately, isn’t something that is common in politics. But we as a people are getting better. We are starting to elect individuals who really have our best interest in mind. Let her passing be a reminder to all of us that the elections are around the corner and to live her dream, to fulfill what she started, we must not vote on popularity but more of whom will best represent us and ensure our future for us and our children. The decision we choose to make next year is one that will shape our future into what we want it to be. Pick the candidates whom you believe will be the voice of the people.”
Donaire said with just a few days before his fight for the vacant interim WBA superflyweight crown, he would like to give thanks.
“I thank God for all His blessings that He has given me,” he said.
