Calling do-gooders

October is “Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” and to kick off the activities, “I Can Serve Foundation,” which promotes awareness of breast and cervical cancer and offers consultation to cancer survivors and their friends and family, is sponsoring the “Pink Positive Wellness Forum” and a free Breast and Cervical Cancer clinic.

The event takes place on Oct. 5 at the Filinvest Tent, Muntinlupa City.

“I Can Serve” has adopted the color pink to symbolize not just the fight against breast and other women’s cancers but also “hope and support, that together we can beat cancer.”

Registration for participants starts at 8:30 a.m., and the opening ceremony kicks off at 9 a.m. This will be followed by a question-and-answer session, first on cervical cancer led by Dr. Cecilia Llave, program director of the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network, and then on breast cancer by Dr. Francis Lopez, a medical oncologist. Dr. Rosario Baez next speaks on “Finding Funding Opportunities for Cancer Treatment.”

There will also be talks on breast self-exam (video featuring Lea Salonga); a session on “Laughter Yoga” with Paolo Trinidad and Chiqui Roa-Puno; a talk on “Surviving Cancer” by actress and cancer survivor Maritoni Fernandez; a “Sexy Chef” session with Kim Palomo and Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan; and “Sense and Style” with model and self-image counselor Patti Betita.

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I can Serve Foundation has also sounded a need for volunteers who can help women from the barangays of Muntinlupa to fill out the patient forms (“a daunting task for them”), usher the women to their places, and assist at the reception table.

The event is free and open to the public, and so the sponsors are also encouraging all those interested to spread the word and spark interest in this and other events to spread awareness and build support for the breast and cervical cancer community.

While a lot of awareness has been raised about breast and cervical cancer and other cancers mainly afflicting women, there is still a lot of ignorance and stigma out there. It is particularly important to tell girls and women to seek early diagnosis, go for regular testing, ask about and seek vaccination against HPV, and bone up on how to prevent cancer and lead a healthy life.

The lineup of talks and sessions at the “Pink Positive” wellness forum should indicate what a wide range of options is available in the battle against cancer. Keeping a positive attitude toward life (including learning to laugh at life’s adversities), nursing one’s self-esteem, eating well and nurturing one’s soul and health—all these are needed not just to survive cancer but also to face life with all the moxie one can muster!

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Guests are asked to “dress up and bring their French personality!” on two Saturdays of October (Oct. 5 and 12), when actress-singer Pinky Amador performs at a dinner concert “La Vie en Rose at Sonya’s Garden” in Alfonso, Cavite.

Amador is fresh off the successful run of the highly acclaimed musical touching on the life of French icon Edith Piaf, in which she starred. She will sing Piaf classics such as “La Vie en Rose,” “Non,” “Je Ne Regrette Rien” and other songs of romance together with balladeer Inno Martin.

“Relish the delights of being in an English garden with flowers in full bloom, surrounded by kindred spirits, sipping good wine and enjoying a delectable dinner” is Sonya’s come-on to music lovers and aficionados of the good life.

Amador, a two-time Aliw Awardee (for best stage actress) is known for her powerful performances  onstage in “Edith Piaf,” “Loveletters,” “The Good Body,” “Usapang Puki (Tagalog version of Vagina Monologues),” and “Oh Romeo.” Her recent TV and film projects are also noted for her convincing portrayal of villains and strong characters.

Tickets are P2,000 per person. For children below 12 years old, that’s half the price. Cocktails will start at 5 p.m.

Sonya’s Garden is in Barangay Buck Estate in Alfonso. An overnight stay is possible at Sonya’s Bed and Breakfast at P3,400 twin-sharing per person inclusive of breakfast, lunch and “Art of Doing Nothing” lessons from basic gardening, compost making, plant propagation, firefly watching, walking, tour of the scented greenhouse and edible landscape gardens.

For bookings, call 0917-5335140 or e-mail [email protected].

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Meanwhile, there will be a special preview of the Unicef “Auction for Action 2013” on Oct. 2 at Yuchengco Museum, RCBC Plaza, Makati.

Now on its third year, the “Auction for Action” brings together works of reputable artists in art, design, furniture and jewelry to benefit the poorest, most underserved children.

Curated and presented by Unicef Special Advocate for Children Daphne Oseña Paez, the auction goes live via Internet on Oct. 21-27 at www.ebay.ph/unicef.

This year’s “Auction for Action” is raising funds in support of Millennium Development Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education. Proceeds from the auction will fund a unique education program to provide children access to early learning: the Supervised Neighborhood Play Program.

Unicef works in more than 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, Unicef supports child health and nutrition, safe water, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.