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Maraming tao would like to know what is it a boxer’s wife does? Well, I can’t tell you what the other wives do, I can tell you how my week went.
On Sunday, I created a checklist for packing. With the help of my mom and sister, we created a checklist for every fight and what Nonito would require. I just had to go back to that list and add others that Nonito needed. Included in that list was his whole fight gear, his nutrition supplements, pedialyte, his training clothes, his rosary…
Then there’s this paperwork that must be printed. All copies of flight records for the entire team were with me, as well as Nonito’s medical copies, doctor’s notes, and licenses. Don’t forget the hotel and all contact information.
Monday was basically the travel day. We left at 6:00 a.m. from San Francisco international airport to arrive in Puerto Rico around 8:00 p.m. UGH! Sayang the day. Oh well, we went running that night…
Tuesday, we unpacked a lot of the things, trained, went to the mall, trained again, and ate. Robert Garcia came in, and I dropped off the names for the corner men and list for credentials. Also, I didn’t forget to give the commission a copy of Nonito’s medical documents.
Wednesday was when the chaos started. Brian Singer, Nonito’s security, came in and there was also a press conference for the fighters. I had to make sure Nonito had clothes to wear, plus, his belt. We also had video coverage and photos. After the press conference, I had to go to an organizational meeting to make sure everyone was on track. After that, balik sa mall to pick up things and then train again. Ay naku, no more clothes for tomorrow!!! Guess what I had to do? The laundry! I went to another hotel to do the laundry. Sa hotel kase, walang washer/dryer. I climbed into bed around 1:00 a.m.
Thursday, my kid sister flew into Puerto Rico. Her arrival, as well as Mike Bazzel (strength trainer) and Cameron Fort (ART Dr), was around noon. We had to hurry because Nonito had a media workout across town at 2:00 p.m. and we had to leave by 1:30 p.m. I got to meet Ivan Calderon, another world champion, and take pictures at his gym. I dropped Nonito back at the hotel and bolted to a production meeting with Showtime.
I found out before I arrived that we forgot the Philippine flag in San Francisco. Think Rachel, think!!! My girlfriend Kristen lived in New Jersey and could hand over the flag the next day. THINK! OMG, my parents were at the New Jersey airport! I called Kristen, who did a red alert operation Philippine Flag drop-off at the airport. Okay, breathe.
Back to the Showtime organizational meeting. There, I had to give Nonito’s entrance music to the staff and get the time markers so I I’d know when Nonito would be in the ring for television.
When I arrived at the hotel, I had to coordinate with Nonito’s bodyguard to have my parents picked up at the other airport, which is two hours away from the hotel, while I stayed behind and ran with Nonito one last time.
I had three scheduled interviews that night: Showtime, Dennis Principe, and therewillbeblood.com.
Today, Friday, was the worst. I got up at 9:00 a.m. and snuck out of the room while Nonito slept. My parents, Brian (bodyguard), and I went clear across town to find an embroidery place. We got lost. I finally found the place and met some great people. Luckily, they could turn around the embroidery for his trunks within hours. While I was there, my schedule alarm went off. Nonito had to be at a fighter interview within minutes. I texted Bazzel to grab him from his room so they could meet with Al Bernstein. Dr. Healer Dude texted me while I was bolting back and he said there were questions Nonito couldn’t answer. So, I ran up to the meeting, the chatted with Mr. Bernstein and clarified some interview questions. BREATHE!
I found out my parents room was located in a much quieter spot. OPERATION SWITCH ROOMS without Nonito. My sister and I packed everything up ready for the bell hop. It’s noon and Nonito was two pounds over as planned. Robert Garcia knocked on the door to grab Nonito. They went up to the gym, while I went down to the commission—in the weigh-ins—to fill out Nonito’s paperwork, so all he’d need to do was the weigh-in.
I texted Robert to check Nonito. Nonito’s was 114.5 and it was 1:00 p.m., the start of weigh-ins. All smiles, Nonito walked to the weigh-in, stepped on the scales, and smiled again.
We headed to the Asian Bistro to order food. Next, I picked the fight gloves, and by the time we returned, the food was back on the table. Commission informed me that the corner needed their licenses. Great! I had to call the Las Vegas boxing commission and coordinate with them to email the Puerto Rican commission.
After eating, Nonito had an interview with ABS-CBN and then Showtime.
OPERATION SWITCH ROOMS was complete with the transition smooth, with the unpacking done quickly and organized. Lastly, I found out the commission needed the passport pictures of Nonito so I had to bring him to Walgreens and then raced over to the embroidery shop to pick up the finished trunks. And then I went and talked to Nonito’s manager to make sure no stone was left unturned for tomorrow.
And that led me to sitting here with my last entry before the fight. We just got back from the steakhouse with our whole team. Everyone was in great spirits. Before I slept, I had to check the fight bag, and then went for a run to just breathe.
This is what I do. This is what I believe every wife should do. We are equal in this marriage. If our better half rises, we too shall rise; and if they fail, we do too. It’s teamwork. Don’t ever be afraid to step up and help your husband even if others try to “define your role as a wife.” The definition of wife in wikipedia is “the female PARTNER in a marriage.” Don’t let inggiteros or negative people convince you differently. I have learned those who try to silence a woman in a marriage are the ones who have problems with their masculinity to begin with. So stand tall and be strong next to your husband. Wish us luck tomorrow in our fight for Pinoy Power 4.
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