Director Olivia Lamasan opens up about her journey as a cancer survivor

Director and former Managing Director of ABS-CBN Film Productions Olivia Lamasan opened up about her journey of overcoming cancer.

In an Instagram post of ICanServe Foundation as they feature cancer survivor stories for their social media campaign Icons of Hope, Olivia remarked: "I am more than the illness."

The director revealed that she battled breast cancer twice.

"My first bout with breast cancer was in 2008. The second one was in 2022. In both instances, I opted for mastectomy... (In my cancer journey, I discovered) that I could love myself, that I could prioritize needs, and that I am not indispensable. So, let go. Be free, and live and enjoy the life God has blessed you with!" she said.

Olivia expressed her deep gratitude to God for guiding her through the challenges and granting her healing. She reflected on the emotional journey she endured, from fear and uncertainty to acceptance and self-discovery.

"I am very grateful to God for holding my hand and guiding me through moments of shock, fear, anger, regret, and then through moments of finding forgiveness, acceptance, love, healing, and in discovering and finding myself," she stated.

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A post shared by ICanServe Foundation, Inc. (@icanserve)

She also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her family and friends for standing by her side throughout her battle.

"Of course there’s my beloved family and friends, whose love, presence and prayers gave me invaluable strength and will to survive... Director Marilou Diaz-Abaya brought me to doctors and experts and was with me through the entire process while she, herself, was going through her own journey of battling breast cancer," she recalled.

Olivia also highlighted that ICanServe played a crucial role in her bout with cancer.

"My other guardian angel was Kara Alikpala. I barely knew her (but) I got a text from her, then we met and she introduced me to ICanServe — a world that made me feel that I am not alone; a world that me realize that I am more than the illness; a world that gave my cancer a purpose," she said. 

According to its website, ICanServe "co-creates comprehensive community-based breast cancer control programs, in partnership with local governments, through its flagship program Ating Dibdibin."

"Ating Dibdibin is institutionalized through a local law to provide sustainable evidence-based interventions for early breast cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment, survivorship and supportive care, and patient navigation."