Survivors Speak

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Survivors Gina Torres Evangelista Jhalyn Mancenido Siwa “To our newly-diagnosed sisters, know that you are not alone.” GINA TORRES EVANGELISTA, Certified Aromatherapist I was diagnosed in March 2009 with Stage IIIC Triple Negative...

Bettina Aboitiz “I almost forget I ever had cancer.” In 2014, during a routine screening, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I didn’t have a lump, no pain, no symptoms. It was just another annual check-up. But that mammogram caught something I never would have found...

Dr. Cecilia R. Montales Executive Assistant for Health, City Government of Taguig Patient Services Committee Chair, ICanServe Foundation Dr. Marie Irene R. Sy Executive Assistant for Health, City Government of Taguig "Cancer reminded us that doctors are not...

ABBYGALE ARENAS DE LEON Certified Image Consultant, Managing Director, Personi-fi Image Studio, Inc. Binibining Pilipinas - Universe 1997 “Small victories matter; celebrate them.” Early detection is a lifesaver — it gives you the best chance to fight and win. I...

MALOU FORES, co-founder and CEO of Mamou “I value and cherish every waking moment that I am blessed with.” If my cancer journey has taught me one thing, it is that nothing is permanent, and that life is determined by the choices and decisions we make for ourselves…...

BIBETH ORTEZA, writer, actor, director, spokesperson and member, board of trustees, ICANSERVE Foundation “I find the humor in my tumor.” I’ve always never given in to despair or sadness — not as a child, not even when I was diagnosed. During my fourth chemo in March...

FRANCES YU, Director, Nena’s Sanctuary Independent Director, Century Pacific Food, Inc. and Shakey’s Pizza Ventures, Inc. “I learned to value life in a way that I did not before.” In everything that happens to me, I try to see and be grateful for the obvious, and also...

Cora and Dr. JC Masangkay Irene Lee and Dr. Chelsea Manalansan Mimi and Dr. David Martin “Our children inspired us to keep fighting. Now that they are doctors, they care for us like no one else can.” We were all diagnosed around 20 years ago, when our children were...

ALEXANDRA LAMB MORAN Business Development Director, John Clements Consultants, Inc. “Every moment matters on your path to recovery.” I believe it is essential to take charge of your health without delay. Don’t put it off. A cancer diagnosis can be terrifying and...

BETTINA OSMEÑA, founder, Gourmet Corner PH Member, Board of Trustees, ICanServe Foundation “I never knew I had it in me to be very strong.” I used to sweat the small stuff, but stopped doing that a long time ago. After my diagnosis in 2003, I have had a few...

BADMINTON BEAUTIES Bangge Mabanta, Vangie Khu, Carla Paras-Sison, Sheila Cruz, Be Fojas “We play for fun, for laughs, for wellness.” We all played badminton even before we knew one another, that is, before we got diagnosed. We met through the ICANSERVE online group....

DORIS NUVAL, Vice President, ICanServe Foundation Consultant, Knowledge Channel "The cure to cancer is 50% attitude and 50% medical protocol." I have met and seen quite a few (Stage 4) ladies who have licked the disease, kicking cancer’s ass with their infectious...

VECK ARJONA Volunteer, Advocacy Committee, ICanServe Foundation TINA VILLASIS Volunteer, ICanServe Foundation “What started as our journey of fear and uncertainty has turned into our mission of hope, healing, and advocacy.” Breast cancer has touched two generations of...

TONI ABAD Marketing Consultant “I learned to listen to my body and discovered the healing power of nutritious food.” When I was faced with the daunting challenge of a cancer diagnosis, food transformed from a simple necessity into a powerful ally in my journey toward...

TANG SINGSON, member, Board of Trustees ICanServe Foundation “I honestly believe that survival rates are higher when cancer is detected early.” I continue to volunteer because I believe in the advocacy of ICanServe. Early detection can truly save lives! I want people...

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...

DR. ANNA LISA ONG-LIM, Professor and Chief of the Division of Infectious and Tropical Disease in Pediatrics, UP-PGH People say that cancer is the worst thing that could possibly happen to someone, and I agree; it’s not an easy challenge. In hindsight, I can only say...

MARIVIC BUGASTO, ICanServe coordinator for the Cordillera Region, President, Minda’s Buddies, living with Stage 4 breast cancer since 2007 When I was first diagnosed with cancer, it felt like my world had been turned upside down. The journey through treatment was...

CELESTE TUVIERA, hairdresser, owner of Celeste Tuviera Hair Studio at The Peninsula Manila The toughest challenge was opening up and talking about my experience, as I’m a very private person. It took a lot of courage to address the ‘elephant in the room’ and share...

OLIVE LAMASAN, director, producer My first bout with breast cancer was in 2008. The second one was in 2022. In both instances, I opted for mastectomy… (In my cancer journey, I discovered) that I could love myself, that I could prioritize needs, and that I am not...

RITA NAZARENO, designer, creative director, ZACARIAS1925 I am grateful for everyone who went on this journey with me — people who are still in my life, people who are not…I’m thankful for each and everyone of them. Those who’ve sent messages, who went with me to...