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Philippines, 19 May 2024 |
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BOXERS WIFE, So Far, So Goody By Robbie Pangilinan PhilBoxing.com Thu, 27 May 2010  As told to Robbie Pangilinan by Goody Llido-Pe?alosa When describing one?s self, there is always the danger of sounding vain and self-serving. But as a wife, I would like to believe that I am caring, loving, loyal, solicitous, and hard working. I am also attentive to my family?s needs. I take pride in providing my husband and children material or moral support even before they realize they need it. There is a lot to being the wife of a boxer than meets the eye. Exciting is an understatement as I go on one adventure after another. Boxing can be a good source of income. The popularity is also a perk. People recognize and appreciate the hard work of a boxer. We get the swankiest suites in the hotel. We receive excellent treatment. We get to travel and be in the company of interesting personalities. The uniqueness of the boxing world is exhilarating. On the other hand, it can also be scary and difficult. The frenzy, politics and shady characters are inevitable. There are the so-called ?hometown decisions?, controversial decisions, questionable and undisclosed deals?a boxer?s wife must accept and learn how to deal with all these while keeping her faith and values intact. Also, boxing is not a lifetime career, it is a young man?s sport. A boxer?s wife is confronted with the physical danger her husband faces every time he goes in the ring. My greatest fear, one that keeps me awake at night, gives me nightmares and sends me into panic attack is that my husband will be physically hurt while slugging it out in the ring. I do a balancing act just to meet the demands of my husband and two children. As a boxer?s wife, my family?s physical fitness is top priority?our diet is properly planned, regular exercise is encouraged. Unknown to many, I personally take care of Gerry?s nutrition when he is in training. Insiders in the boxing world would see me scouring the town for the freshest food for Gerry. I assume both roles as mom and dad every time Gerry is away on training especially when he is in the US. This is the hardest part. Even when he brings us along, he still has to be isolated. Also, I am like a juggler, doing everything all at once. But I am not complaining. I have learned to take each day as it comes welcome the challenges that come our way. I take pride in accomplishing my part as a wife and mother because I know it is what I have done that keeps this family whole. 
I was born in General Santos City, the hometown of boxing great Manny Pacquiao and many other legends in boxing. Naturally, I grew up hearing adulations and anecdotes about Rolando Navarette (junior lightweight world titlist in the 80s). So although boxing was not an alien sport to me, I really did not follow it. I had no particular interest in boxing before I met Gerry. Who would have thought that I would marry a boxer? But being a boxer?s wife is not bad at all, so given the chance, I would still choose to be a boxer?s wife only if I meet Gerry all over again. It?s the person, not the profession. Gerry impressed me with his candidness and how funny he can get. I did not know who he was but I got curious by how he got everyone in our household so excited. As I got to know him, he won me over with his sincerity, perseverance and personality. Gerry came from humble beginnings, but he has class. He dresses well. He chooses and is careful with his words. He does not get intimated by anyone. He voices his opinions. Gerry, although not a champion at the moment, is highly respected anywhere we go. Not many people know that Gerry is one of the few, if not the only, college graduate among our local boxers. He finished BS Criminology in 1993 at the University of Cebu, supporting himself by being a struggling but definitely promising young boxer. I am extremely proud of that. Gerry?s love for boxing had been instilled by his father Carl. And I personally believe their love affair with boxing is one for the books. The Pe?alosas from San Carlos City eat, breathe and live boxing. They have carved their own niche in the sport. Among the siblings, two were world champions. One was Philippine champion now honing the skill of another Filipino champ. The eldest brother is a trainer in the US respected for his ability. So if you put them all in one room, boxing no longer becomes violent in the eyes of the children but more like science for analysis. Analyzing is hence a concept introduced to them early?analysis of boxing moves, precision, timing, speed, among others. Easing our children, 10-year-old Julio Ceasar and 8-year-old Julienne Gayle, into the sport was not an effort. It is part of the family. They are, however, sometimes amazed that their Dad is well known. They have never seen their dad fight, live. I have my qualms. I avoid the trauma it could possibly create?trauma of seeing their dad get hurt. And how will they handle defeat? They adore their dad. They believe he is a superman. So there is no predicting how it will affect them if the result is not favorable. Having a boxer for a husband made me realize that life is certainly unpredictable. It also opened my eyes that talent and perseverance can help anyone overcome adversities. And that there is, after all, glamour in boxing. My fervent dream at the moment is that Gerry would regain his championship belt. I fully know that he had done his best, made his country and people proud and raised the bar for present and future boxers by living the meaning of hard work, discipline and diligence. After that, we want to have a new life away from the boxing ring. Not many people know that Gerry is one of the few, if not the only, college graduate among our local boxers. He finished BS Criminology in 1993 at the University of Cebu, supporting himself by being a struggling but definitely promising young boxer. He can possibly find another career after boxing. In the end, I just want to tell my husband that he has made his family and countrymen proud. He loves the sport and I can say it has loved him back. I will fully support his involvement in the sport in whatever form because I know he is a big help to aspiring boxers. To other boxers? wives like me, be supportive. Embrace and support the sport. Be your own person. Enjoy being a boxer?s wife. Encourage your husband. Be his pillar of strength. Leave the dealings to the big boys. But be aware. Each day I thank the Lord for the people I love?my husband and kids. I pray for good health, ever hopeful for good things to come our way. And so far, everything has been goody for us. # Click here to view a list of other articles written by Robbie Pangilinan.  |
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