Christina Dy
Visual Artist, Dancer, Founder and Creative Director of Polecats Manila
“I am now living life slower, but more intentional.”
Instead of making every minute count and optimizing my life, I’ve shifted my mindset to living a slower life and doing less. If I get to dance a bit or read a few pages of a book, it’s already a good day. For me, it’s about finding joy in missing out — just really doing things that make me happy, with people I like.
When I had cancer, the toughest challenge was not being able to pole dance which was my joy and my work. I was so depressed. After radiation, I did other forms of dancing (floor and chair). I also kept myself busy with other creative pursuits like making desserts, playing the piano, etc.
My sister Catherine was so supportive throughout my treatment and recovery. She was/is the best! She picked me up from surgery and I stayed with her for three months. She and her family took care of me as I underwent radiation and the early stages of recovery.
Find what makes you happy and figure out how you can do that forever. Walk every day. Spend time with family and friends. Also, have fun with the little things. During radiation, for instance, I would wear red lipstick to the hospital — it helped me feel a bit more cheerful and less hopeless.
I saw an online ad by ICanServe saying women should do a breast self-exam from the age of 20. I was 42 at that time and had never done one, so I did. I found a lump and, when I had it checked, it turned out to be cancer.
I am alive now because of ICanServe’s efforts at breast cancer awareness and education. I volunteer with them now — it’s my way of saying thank you.
#ICSat25
#SurvivorStories
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- “I am now living life slower, but more intentional.”
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- Christina Dy, Visual Artist, Dancer, Founder and Creative Director of Polecats Manila
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- “I am now living life slower, but more intentional.”
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- Christina poses with the Catherine Scarf, which she designed in 2024 for the benefit of ICanServe. The design is inspired by kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending broken pottery using urushi lacquer mixed with gold powder.
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- “I am now living life slower, but more intentional.”
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- Christina with the pair of sneakers (Nike AF1 Triple Whites) she painted with blooms and a kintsugi motif. This pair, as well as the works of 24 other artists, were exhibited then auctioned off in 2024 to support and celebrate ICanServe’s 25th anniversary.
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- Learn about breast cancer signs and symptoms: https://www.icanservefoundation.org/about-breast-cancer/
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- Download the breast cancer patient manual: https://www.icanservefoundation.org/patients-manual/
Photos by: Necy Juat, TJ Davocol, Simon Tiangco, Christina Dy and Myla Santiago
Icons of Hope is a social media campaign that features cancer survivors who share their own stories, learnings and the lives they now live. It is part of ICANSERVE Foundation’s 25th anniversary celebration in collaboration with Camera Club of the Philippines. With thanks to Owen Santos and Zonia Bandoy.