With the much-anticipated boxing match just days away, fans are proudly declaring whose side they’re on.
But not all Filipinos are supporting Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather’s personal assistant, Marikit “Kitchie” Laurico, is a loyal Filipina on The Money Team (TMT). She also serves as the team’s organizer, managing the team’s activities and making sure the wealthy boxer’s personal needs are accounted for, both in and out of the ring.
Kitchie came to the United States from Baguio City when she was 11, and worked as an assistant in marketing in publicity.
She met Floyd through mutual friends. After spending some time together, he asked her to become his personal assistant.
“I’m so blessed and thankful that he can allow me to be able to be a part of this team, and that he values my work ethic,” Kitchie told ABS-CBN. “That’s huge for me.”
Another proud-Pinoy, James Dayap, serves as Mayweather’s videographer, traveling with him everywhere and shooting/editing promotional videos for the team. Dayap interned for TFC and even worked as Pacquiao’s cameraman with his former strength and conditioning coach, Alex Ariza, for several years before getting involved with TMT.
Together, Dayap and Ariza worked with fighters trained by the retired Mexican-American boxer Robert Garcia, which eventually led them both to Team Mayweather.
“[Floyd is] a warmhearted guy. Whenever we see someone homeless or helpless on the street, he’ll pull out a couple hundred dollars. He is very generous; tips very well when we go out to eat. He even got me a house and a car,” Dayap said.
“He’s so misunderstood, but the Floyd Mayweather I know—if you know him, truly know him, you will love him. He’s a good guy. His heart is pure; he has a big heart,” Kitchie shared. “And when he gives, he also thinks about your family.”
Both Kitchie and Dayap regularly travel on Mayweather’s private jet, getting Money Team perks like courtside seats to basketball games, random vacations, and lavish gifts, which they regularly post to their social media accounts.
“Hard work and dedication” is one of Kitchie’s most-used hashtags on Instagram, and undoubtedly the team’s motto.
While happily working for one of the world’s wealthiest professional athletes, both Filipinos on staff remain humble about their jobs and continue to adore their boss, representing TMT at all times and supporting in every way they can. They were among the first to announce the big fight on May 2nd.
Said Kitchie, “To be a part of [all this] is to be part of history, of one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing.”
(With reports from Balitang America, Gulfnews.com, Inquirer)
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek April 29, 2015 MDWK Mag pg. 4)
