MARITONI FERNANDEZ, actress, owner, Herb-All Organic Trading Corp. “There are millions of us living full lives after breast cancer.” This year, I’m a 24-year survivor of breast cancer. Throughout it all, Jesus was my ally — it is my strong faith and relationship with...
Miriam College HS Pink Batch ‘98 - Ria Villena-Osorio, Steph Puno, Kathy Santos-Cruz, Iris Henson-Chan, Giselle Arroyo ”Lift everything up to God. He is in charge." We all went to Miriam College High School, and graduated as the Pink Batch of 1998. In 2017, three of...
KERI ZAMORA, founder, Caring Keri Foundation “I discovered I am strong and resilient.” Of course, it was not just me dealing with this on my own. The resilience I discovered was boosted by the support of my family, especially my husband Francis and my sister Ruby, and...
PATTY BETITA, image enhancement speaker, model coach, talent mentor, Binibining Pilipinas International 1991 “I am a survivor. I am whole and beautiful.” I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in 2008 but only came out and announced it in public in 2015 via the...
KAT CRUZ-VILLANUEVA, fashion stylist, founder, STYLEdiT Group Before my diagnosis, I was such a workaholic. Even at home, I was always on the go, constantly trying to be productive and filling my time to the brim. I was in a race with myself, never allowing for a...
MAAN HONTIVEROS, President, Board of Trustees, Manila Symphony Orchestra My siblings and a few of my closest friends here and in the USA were sworn to secrecy to spare my elderly father who was still grappling with the loss of my Mom due to breast cancer. They circled...
CHECHE MORAL, Editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Lifestyle Section My friend Anne went with me to all the checkups and consultations. Ironically, maybe two months before I got diagnosed, she was the one who had a breast cancer scare, and I went with her to her own...
ELISEO BELARIZ JR., former cafeteria manager, St. Louis University-Sacred Heart Medical Center Yes, men can get breast cancer, too. I am not ashamed to say that I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and, for my treatment, I went through radiation and six rounds...
LIA DELGADO-INFANTE, Psychologist, In-Touch Community Services, International School Manila I understand that cancer treatments, particularly chemo, can seem daunting. But here's some good news: the medical field has made huge strides in managing the side effects....
ALYA HONASAN, writer, editor, furmama My dog Kikay was a constant, reassuring, calming, and loving presence throughout my treatment. It was a point of contention with my doctor whether or not to allow her on the bed with me even after chemotherapy, but I insisted that...