October 2017 musing: Patria could have worked The Pink Runway like a pro

IF MOM won her battle against breast cancer she would have walked the Pink Runway at Waterfront Insular Hotel. But I believe Patria is working it like a diva on a far better runway where she is now.

My family lost our mother to breast cancer in 2002. We would have thought and believed that she’d win over the disease and survive like her two sister did. She didn’t. This month marks her 17th year in heaven.

Having witnessed how difficult it is to stay strong in a health battle, I can't help but be proud and happy for the women who were able to defeat the illness. They do deserve to walk in front of a big audience, and with their heads up declare, “I won!”

And they did celebrate their victory with family and friends at the Pink Runway, a celebration of triumph and benefit show to spread awareness about breast cancer.

Amelia Dizon, Julie Ann Gelacio, Sallie Manongdo, Elizabeth Balan, Judith Urbano, Agnes Luna, Rosita Lapiz, Josie Ortiz and Cecilia Saavedra, the women who battled and survived breast cancer, took to the runway in their pink evening wear designed by Christopher Ledesma and Richie Uy Delos Santos. Joining them on stage was Katherine Espin, Miss Earth 2016, who was escorted by Deither Ocampo.

The Pink Runway, on its second year, was mounted in partnership with the Rotary Club of Downtown Davao in line with Waterfront Insular Hotel’s “Pink Matters”, an annual, month-long campaign to raise awareness on breast cancer.

The proceeds raised on this event will be used to provide mammograms and diagnostic screenings for women in communities who cannot afford them.

You ladies deserve the biggest hug in the world! And to Waterfront Insular Hotel and Rotary Club of Downtown Davao, keep up the good work in raising breast cancer awareness.

Take as many apples as you want from the basket.

And to my dearest mother, I miss you and love you. I know we will be together again in time.

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