ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) — The Philippine National Police Regional Office 9 recently paid tribute to women cancer fighters and survivors through a benefit concert on March 21 dubbed Juana Concierto. 

The event was organized to raise funds to support women undergoing cancer treatment, while honoring and recognizing the achievements and invaluable contributions of women to society, and promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.  

Edna Masauding, a cancer survivor, mother, entrepreneur shares her story of being a cancer survivor. 

“The journey of fighting cancer is not easy, but then that part of my life made me very strong. As they say, I believe that women are strong and high spirited.”

The responsibilities of being a mother and a wife gave her strength and the will to fight back and beat cancer. The journey that she walked through gave her inspiration and shed light on her advocacy to help women especially cancer patients; reminding her that women are strong and cancer can be defeated.

The PNP officer’s ladies club regularly initiates feeding programs and medical missions to reach out to different barangays, and marginalized provinces in Region IX. Their advocacy aims to create a supporting group that will give hope to those women who share the same story in fighting cancer, while fostering a new vision of life and strength to face new endeavors that might come.

“Together, we can help and reach needy fellows of ours in Zamboanga and other provinces, not just during women's month,“ Masauding added. 

Juana Concierto is an event dedicated to celebrating Women’s Month, brought to life through a collaboration of government agencies, private organizations, and civil society. This concert is not just a musical spectacle but a powerful platform advocating for women’s empowerment, recognizing their unwavering resilience, strength, leadership qualities, and pivotal role in shaping a brighter future for society. (RVC/MLE/DBE-GIP/PIA9-Zamboanga City)