Donaire's pregnant wife lauded after saving drowning kid

MANILA, Philippines - The pregnant wife of Filipino boxing star Nonito Donaire, Jr. has been receiving praises after she risked her life and that of her unborn baby to save a drowning child.

Three congressmen said they would file a resolution commending Rachel Donaire, who jumped into the water to save a friend's son, even if she herself was nine months pregnant.

"The Donaire couple are truly a source of pride and inspiration for all of us Filipinos. This news that Rachel risked her own life to save another person's life is an exceptional display of courage and heroism," said Davao Rep. Karlo Nograles.

Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas said Donaire's wife showcased Filipino's compassion and bravery in her heroic action.

"This story about Mrs. Donaire is really heart-warming. Things like these remind me everyday that there is still hope for Filipinos and I'm sure many of our kababayans also feel the same," Treñas said.

Western Samar Rep. Mel Sarmiento said he will ask his staff to look into the details of the incident so he can recommend the appropriate commendation for Donaire.

"Mrs. Donaire, her husband Nonito and many other Filipinos like them who bring us pride as a nation are the ones who deserve all the support from the government and not those who bring us nothing but shame," Sarmiento said.

"What she did was truly selfless. She makes me feel really proud as a Filipino," he added.

According to initial reports, Donaire's wife was in a picnic with a group of friends for the July 4 celebrations when one of their friend's sons disappeared in the water.

Related story: Donaire’s wife saves child

Unmindful of her own safety, she reportedly jumped into the water to save the drowning child. A post on the boxing icon's Twitter account said she was admitted in a hospital for a fetal monitoring after the incident.

"Rachel woke up with sharp pain and was admitted in the hospital where she was monitored for over an hour and was diagnosed with a strained ligament. Doctors say baby is unaffected. She was ordered bed rest for a couple days," the Twitter post said.

Donaire's wife is on her ninth month this July with their first child, who is expected to be a boy.

After the incident was reported, praises and messages of concern also flooded Twitter to hail Donaire's wife as a hero.

Proud of my inaanak wife of @filipinoflash 9mo pregnant Rachel @Knockout_Queen for her selfless act of saving a drowning child

— pia cayetano (@piacayetano) July 6, 2013

@FilipinoFlash Hey Nonito, you may be known as Flash, but @Knockout_Queen is a super hero in her own right. Mabuhay ka!

— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) July 6, 2013

@filipinoflash’s wife saves a drowning boy while 9 months pregnant. She was a little injured but she and baby are ok. Still heroes left.

— Rex Navarrete (@rexnavarrete) July 6, 2013

@filipinoflash your wife is amazing! Faith in humanity restored.

— Gunawan Aldy (@not_analien) July 6, 2013

@filipinoflash @Knockout_Queen that was pure instinct that you did Rachel. you're a genuine hero inside and out. take care of baby flash

— Jan Nadal (@Jblaze143) July 6, 2013

@filipinoflash we are proud of Rachel for displaying such heroic act! Mabuhay Ka at dumami pa ang ating lahi.

— Jerome &Weng Belgica (@jmbelgica) July 6, 2013

@filipinoflash People throw around the word "hero" around way to loosely these days, but ppl like ur wife.are TRUE HEROS!

— Dennis. Green Jr (@BigDSmoke) July 6, 2013

@filipinoflash - never underestimate the power of a mom or a mom to be She is an angel disguise! Wishing her a speedy recovery!!

— Vicky J (@Mrs1BOXFAN) July 6, 2013

@filipinoflash she cares as a stranger, what more if she's your wife/mom.

— egofeeder (@egofeeder) July 6, 2013

@filipinoflash dude your wife is badass!

— JM Hipolito (@somuchfordepth) July 6, 2013