*story courtesy philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines – "What is a pretty and educated girl like you doing in sweaty boxing gyms and trying to knock someone out?"

Rica Aquino has heard it before.

It’s a little more “complicated” than that.

Aquino graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the University of the Philippines and played with the Manila Symphony Orchestra for 10 years. She also taught music at Brent International School for six years.

Well, she still performs when the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra needs an extra musician and teaches music literature at the Philippine High School for the Arts.

But when Aquino is outside the performance hall and classroom, she’s a professional boxer.

“I have been fascinated with fighting sports (even as a child) but as a child playing the violin and as a professional musician, I was restricted in terms of the sports I wanted to do,” Rica related. “So I took up combat sports when I was an adult already and after I had resigned from the orchestra.”

Now, as a 39-year old, Aquino is looking to make her mark in professional boxing.

“I love the competitive aspect of the sport, the discipline, and of course, the risk and thrill of competing.”

Boxing is actually her third sport as she previously took up Muay Thai where she was a National Games silver medalist. She then took up mixed martial arts under the famed Team Lakay of Mark Sangiao.

On August 7, Aquino (0-0-1) will take part in her second professional fight at UKC Annihilation at the Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

She will square off against a familiar foe from the past in Erika Ballen, who she first tangled with in 2017 as an amateur.

“We faced each other in 2017 and now, five years later, things have changed,” said Aquino, who won that encounter via first round technical knockout. “I’m excited to see how much we have changed and developed.”

Rica previously fought Indian boxer Deepika Tiwari, who brought her 1-1-2 record to the ring against the Filipina. The fight ended in a draw.

“The fight card in August is amazing,” enthused Aquino. “I am honored to be fighting with my idols Charly Suarez and my teammate Lito Dante. Some of the other boxers are also my friends so I am excited for this card.”

“I have been training hard for this fight as women’s fights are few in this country. I will give it my best and try to get that first professional win.”

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