by rick olivares
Mixed Martial Arts has been
getting more popular in the Philippines. Not only are Filipinos of foreign
descent making a good account of themselves in major fight circuits but also
domestic fighters are stepping up.
When Fil-Australian
Christine Hallauer stepped into a One Fighting Championship cage early this
2013 during One FC: Kings and Champions in Singapore, you can add “ring girl”
to our country’s contributions to the world’s fastest growing sport.
She became an instant crowd
favorite not only with Filipinos but Asian audiences. Since then, she has
graced the cover of many a magazine on top of giving countless interviews.
Hallauer, whose mother
hails from Davao while her father is Swiss, is from Perth, Australia where she
works for a multinational. Being a One FC Ring Girl has given her a chance to
reconnect with her Filipino roots.
Rick: How would you describe this year for you as you
got out of your desk job and into the One FC cage?
Christine: It started off pretty ordinary, for 2013 my
goal was to finish studying and gain full time employment (in Human
Resource Management or Industrial relations) and that was about it....
Pretty average when I compare it to where I am today. My life has completely
changed since making my appearance as a One FC ring girl.
Rick: Since
you’ve been with the One FC for almost a year now has that changed the way you
look at MMA? Are you a fan now?
Christine: Definitely! I didn’t really know much to begin
with. I always thought of it as a sport that men watch. Now I love MMA and the
One FC and really get into it.
Rick: Do you distinctly recall the first time you
stepped into a One FC cage? What were your thoughts and emotions? Were you
nervous?
Christine: Yes I remember at the first event while I was
waiting behind the curtains to make my entrance and I was SO nervous!
I didn't really know what to expect or what the crowd would be like. I had
never been on stage in front of that many people before and on live television.
Rick: Are you bothered by the catcalls?
Christine: I can't say I've heard any yet, the crowd
has always been so respectful.
Rick: How has
your life changed since becoming a One FC ring girl? How so? Can you cite some
examples?
Christine: Since joining One FC I have been travelling overseas
at least once a month to attend press conferences, events and
photo shoots. I've been fortunate enough to appear in many major
magazines across Asia like Men's Health Singapore, FHM Singapore,
FHM Philippines and on the cover of FHM Malaysia. I never saw this coming,
it's definitely something I have always wanted to do but never thought it would
happen.
Rick: Do people now recognize you as a One FC ring
girl if you go to say the grocery or a mall?
Christine: In Australia I continue working my office job so
nothing has really changed there. But in the Philippines... occasionally
people have come up and ask for a photo and it's still such a surprise and
compliment that someone would want a photo with me! For
example, (during my recent visit in December) I joined the end of the
queue at McDonalds and the lady at the front of the line called me over to her,
she insisted I take her place as long as I promised to have a pic with her
three sons! Haha!
Rick: What is the most unusual request you've
received from a fan this year?
Christine: A fan sign! We don't really have these in
Australia so it was pretty unusual! I was like a sign? Why does this
person want me to give them a sign for? I was so flattered when I
actually realized what this was.
Rick: All of a sudden you've got lots of interviews,
appearances, etc. How are you taking in all of this?
Christine: I guess it's better than homework and assignments
right? I really love it! I've been quite surprised at the amount of interviews
and requests I have had.
Rick: Since you work at a multinational has anything
changed for you there at work? Now that you are "known" as a One FC
ring Girl?
Christine: Things haven't really changed at my day job as I
like to keep this separate from the work I do for One FC.
Rick: What's next for you? I mean will you continue
with One FC?
Christine: I would like to get into more modeling in the
Philippines for 2014, so I'll be working on that as well as continue with One FC.
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