Five showbiz personalities who fought the Big C and won
THE possibility of having breast cancer is an overt phobia for many women and for good reason.
According to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is by far the most common cancer afflicting women worldwide, both in developed and developing countries.
In 2016, the Philippines topped 197 countries with the most number of cases of breast cancer, according to data released by the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In line with this, we list some Filipina celebrities who fought the Big C and won.
Lara Melissa de Leon
It was in late 2006 when singer-actress Lara Melissa de Leon learned she has stage 2 breast cancer.
Now cancer free, Mellisa credits God for her victory. She is currently active attending fellowships, and spreading information about breast cancer through the support group Project Pink.
Maritoni Fernandez
Maritoni Fernandez was diagnosed with Stage 2A breast cancer when she was 30 years old. She fought hard and won.
This year, she celebrates 17 years being cancer-free.
She posted on Instagram: “It’s an all clear for my yearly 3D mammography ‘tomosynthesis’. Thank you Lord! 17 years cancer free!”
Bibeth Orteza Siguion-Reyna
Activist-scriptwriter Bibeth Orteza SiguionReyna learned about her having stage 3 breast cancer in 2004.
Last year, Bibeth’s son, Rafa Siguion Reyna happily announced his mother is already cancerfree.
Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala
In 1997, broadcast journalist Kara Magsanoc Alikpala was diagnosed with breast cancer. Two year after, she started the I Can Serve Foundation with some friends. It advocates early breast cancer detection through breast selfexamination.
Cancer free and happily married, Kara said the experience was a blessing because it allowed her to “push for women to be more proactive about their health.”
Jaymee Joaquin
TV host-model Jaymee Joaquin left showbiz in 2010 to study in Sydney, Australia. Six years after, she was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.
She documented her life journey on social media via “Jaymee Wins” to seek support, arouse awareness and bring inspiration to the general public. She has been on remission since June 2017.
“To the dreamers out there, never give up. Keep dreaming. Keep thriving. Keep believing. Madly chase what sets your soul on fire. And hold on to that spark of hope that God is working one ranting that desire in your heart,” she wrote on Instagram.