ICANSERVE’s partnership with MMMSFI enters 10th year

The Metro Manila Mayors’ Spouses Foundation, Inc. (MMMFSI), in partnership with the City Government of San Juan, the Department of Health (DoH), and ICanServe Foundation, held a breast cancer awareness forum with breast cancer screening on October 7, 2025 at the National Government Center, Makabagong San Juan Theater, San Juan City.

ICanServe and MMMSFI have worked together on OKtober since 2016, offering free breast cancer forums and clinics to communities across all 16 cities and one municipality of Metro Manila every October. The partnership continued even during the pandemic lockdown and this year, the event was hosted by San Juan City Mayor Francis Javier M. Zamora and his wife, MMMSFI president Keri Lynn Neri Zamora, adopting the theme “Early Detection and Diagnosis, Early Treatment for a Cancer-Free Community.”

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Mayor Zamora, MMMSFI president Keri Zamora, who herself is a breast cancer survivor, and ICanServe founding president Kara Magsanoc Alikpala addressed the audience of 460 underscoring the importance of taking care of women’s health. A Pledge of Commitment, led by Caloocan First Lady Aubrey Malapitan, was signed by MMMSFI and other stakeholders.

Also in attendance were San Juan Vice Mayor Angelo Agcaoili, and all the councilors of San Juan City and members of the City Health Office led by Dra. Mitzi Tanchoco. Other than Malapitan, City First Ladies Barbie Tiangco of Navotas, Tiffany Gatchalian of Valenzuela, Mary German of Pateros, and Eva Nono representing Janet Olivares of Parañaque, along with the DoH team and other local leaders were also present.

Breast cancer survivor Natividad Correos Senador shared her journey from diagnosis to healing and advocacy. ICANSERVE president Nikoy de Guzman led a Zumba session to the crowd’s delight.

Speakers in the lay forum that followed were Dr. Katrina Ferrera Calma of Cardinal Santos Medical Center for Breast Cancer 101; Dr. Leah Arceli G. Porciuncula of the Philippine Society of Vascular Medicine for breast cancer–related lymphedema; Dr. Jan Aura Laurella V. Llavado, Chief of the DoH Cancer Control Division and Disease Prevention and Control Bureau for the Cancer Assistance Fund; and Ms. Corazon M. Pulanco for the PhilHealth Z Package. Dr. Nicola Raphaela Tison  of the Philippine Society of Surgeons joined the speakers to answer participants’ questions during the open forum.

Screening was done through clinical breast Examinations by volunteers from the Philippine Society of Breast Surgeons and Cardinal Santos Medical Center while cervical examinations were courtesy of the Philippine Cancer Society. 95 women were screened with 20 recommended for further examination.

San Juan City adopted ICanServe’s flagship program, Ating Dibdibin in 2020. It is a comprehensive community-based breast cancer screening program that teaches early breast cancer detection techniques so breast cancer is diagnosed at an early stage.