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Cancer warriors reveal beauty amid struggles
There is beauty that only struggles, pain and defeat can bring out in a person. For 49-year-old Cristy, what brought it out was her battle with the big C.
Cristy's sister passed away because of cancer, so one could only imagine how she felt when she was diagnosed to have breast cancer herself.
"Humingi ako ng prayer sa aking family na 'Lord, sana matanggap ko ito,'" she said.
Cristy worked hard to overcome the physical and emotional pains cancer brought her. Despite the change in her appearance, she maintained her bright disposition.
"Siyempre kailangan din ng pasyente na mag-ayos, kasi nga there's life after cancer," she said. "Hindi naman kapag sinabi mong may cancer ka, wala ka nang karapatang mag-ayos. Dapat mag-ayos ka pa rin kasi doon mo makikita na kailangan positive pa rin ang outlook mo sa buhay."
And through this positive outlook, her beauty shined. "In pain pa rin ako ngayon, pero iba na ang pananaw ko. Lord, I lift up to you everything. Bahala ka na. Thy will be done," Cristy said.
Cancer warriors (from left to right) Edilberta, Virginia, Sherly, and Gina prove that despite their struggle with the Big C, their beauty shines through.
Meanwhile, 38-year-old Sheryl goes through the same struggles. As a mother battling the disease, she has to think not only about herself but also about her family.
Instead of focusing on just the worries about the future, she focuses on her family, which keeps her strong. "Paano na 'to kapag nawala ako?" she sometimes asks herself. But it is her daughter that assures her that everything will be alright.
In her prayers, Sheryl tells God, "Magtatampo ako sa iyo kapag hindi mo pinagbigyan ang batang ito... Kaya naman siyempre si Mama lalaban, kasi nandiyan ka para sa akin," she said. Despite all the difficulties, Sheryl believes that her Creator will continue to provide and heal.
For Lola Honorata, her makeover brings back memories of her youth.
A special makeover in front of the 'magic' mirror
Often, cancer takes its toll on a patient's appearance, with chemotherapy and other medications making one's hair fall off, turning the skin dry, and generally making the person look tired and weak.
To keep spirits up, GMA-7's program "Wish Ko Lang" treated some cancer warriors to a special makeover. Cristy, Sheryl, and another cancer patient Edilberta, were given hair and makeup styling sessions, and a photo shoot to boot!
For a brief moment, the three cancer warriors forgot about the pain and let the beauty in their struggles shine through. The smiles in their faces prove that no illness can stop them from being beautiful.
"Noong huli kong maranasan na ayusan ay noon ako'y ikasal," 57-year-old cancer patient Edilberta said. "Naranasan ko ang gumanda uli dahil sa inyo." - Elsed Togonon/CM, GMA News
