‘Masked Superman’ succumbs to rare cancer
Some people diagnosed with cancer grow emotionally weak, while others get even braver. But artist Enrico Talavera, until his last breath, chose to become a “superhero.”
His sister, Chelina Talavera, announced on Facebook that her brother passed away Friday, at 11:32 p.m. after a year of combating Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with Lytic Lesions. He was 25.
Talavera, a Certified Public Accountant, was diagnosed with the rare form of cancer in December, 2015.
Since then his weight dropped from 165 lbs to 95 lbs. He also shrunk from 5’8” tall to 5’3” in just two and a half months.
“I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with Lytic Lesions back in December, 2015. It is a rare form of cancer for adults as it usually occurs with infants and children. My disease also left me with extremely fragile bones, requiring me to wear a Knight Taylor brace to support my spinal compression fracture,” he told the Manila Bulletin last week. ‘Superman with a mask’ On his Facebook account, Talavera, shared his daily “adventures and struggles” while staying in the hospital.
Most of his posts are full of optimism; some are about the life outside that he misses, while others are about the pain that he is going through.
He was the one behind the Superman with a mask icon.
Art for healing Not wanting to just lie in bed and let his family find ways to finance his medications, Talavera ran to his last resort – selling his treasured artworks and art collection.
He then created the Facebook page, “Kanser ng Lipunan,” on social media where the paintings and sculptures for sale are posted.
He also sold buttoned pins – made by him and created and donated by his fellow artists – for 125.
Inspiration
“His icon reminds me that we need to fight. Despite all the sufferings, he can still fight for his life and remain strong as diamond. I’m thankful because Enrico Talavera inspires me to go on, fight,” said social media user Gessy Balag.
“I don’t know him personally but just by using Facebook every day, I am witnessing how brave he is. And his Superman icon is just perfect for him. He uses his courage as a weapon to continue living. He uses the intelligence and talent that God has given him to help finance his medications,” said Adrian Marcaida.
Balag and Marcaida were two of the many Facebook users who were inspired by Talavera’s story and showed their support for him.
He was a fan of Superman since he was little and would often pose as the superhero. So when he got sick, he thought he can still be his idol – but with a mask.
“[It is] an actual representation of myself. Because as a cancer patient, I must always wear a mask to avoid being exposed to viruses and bacteria which may infect me,” he said.
More than Superman And while he has no super powers like that of the comic superhero, Talavera said he has one weapon that makes him even more powerful than Superman – his strong faith in God.
“My faith in God keeps me fighting,” he said, then quoted the Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”