BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — In the fight against cancer, stories of survival and advocacy shine a light of hope, resilience, and the power of awareness.
Maria Victoria “Marivic” Bugasto from Baguio City has turned her personal battles with breast cancer into a powerful mission to educate, support, and inspire others.
A breast cancer survivor turned cancer risk patient advocate, Marivic has dedicated her life to spreading awareness, encouraging early detection, and ensuring cancer treatment is accessible to all.
She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. Initially classified as stage 0-1, she believed she had caught it early. However, when she began experiencing persistent bone pain, further tests revealed that the cancer had silently progressed to stage 4, spreading to her bones.
“Upon checking again, ‘yung zero to one was upgraded, it became stage 4 na, the cancer moved to the bones,” she related.
Within six months, she underwent a bilateral mastectomy and three major surgeries, followed by rigorous chemotherapy treatments.
‘Yung thought na you’re out of the woods already, you’re safe na, but like I said, it became stage 4, it moved to the bones, I did chemotherapy. It was a tough time,” she shared.
Back then, talking about cancer was almost taboo, and treatment was expensive.
Marivic recalls spending P140,000 every 21 days on chemotherapy, an amount unimaginable for many Filipinos.
It was during a patient empowerment seminar by Avon and the iCanServe Foundation that she realized that early detection and proper treatment could save lives, and she made it her mission to spread awareness and empower others.
“It’s all about patient empowerment. We were told that breast cancer or cancer is no longer a death sentence. Before, a person with cancer had little chance of survival because of the little information and because medicine at that time [was costly]. When I came to meet these people, ‘yung napag-uusapan na … cancer treatment was going to be cheaper,” Marivic said.
Turning adversity into advocacy
Marivic’s advocacy work began in 2007 when discussions about cancer were rare.
“Cancer is no longer a death sentence, cancer is treatable. Noon, walang nakikinig. We want people to know that early detection is the best prevention.”
Despite initial resistance, she pressed on—connecting with organizations, working with the Philippine College of Surgeons- Cordillera, and organizing free breast screenings.
She tirelessly visited offices, barangays, and communities, educating people on self-examinations and the importance of immediate medical consultations.
Her efforts extended beyond breast cancer to include all types of cancer, even pediatric cases.
She became part of Minda’s Buddies Cancer Support Group in Baguio, broadening her advocacy to help both children and adults battling the disease.
“We’re trying to educate people, lalo na women, to do breast self- examination. If you get to feel na may bukol, you go to a doctor kaagad. That’s doing early detection.”
“Do breast self exams and always look out for the symptoms of cancer … and if you feel anything, go agad sa mga doctor, ” she advised.
From personal loss to public service
Her advocacy is deeply personal. While she survived stage 4 cancer, she experienced profound personal loss, losing his dad in 2011, her son in February 2014 and her husband just ten months later.
Despite these tragedies, she found strength in her mission and continued to serve others.
Marivic believes that cancer does not discriminate so men and women alike should prioritize their health.
“Your health, your family, your faith these are things we should all take to heart.”
For her advocacy, Marivic was recognized as one of the Outstanding Citizens of Baguio for community service in 2021. (JDP/DEG with Trishabel Cabico-PIA-CAR- SLU Intern)
