QUEZON CITY, Philippines – October 2, 2025 – The Philippine Cancer Society (PCS), a leading force in national cancer control for over 68 years, spearheaded a crucial event today at the Sequoia Hotel to dramatically step up the fight against two of the most devastating cancers affecting Filipino women: breast and cervical cancer. Highlighting the organization's role as the head of the program, the PCS officially launched the "Breast-Cervical Cancer Awareness ACT NOW A.C.T.I.V.E. Campaign."
The launch comes in response to alarming statistics: approximately 32 Filipinas die every day from breast cancer, and globally, a life is lost to cervical cancer every two minutes. Given that cancer is the second leading cause of death in the Philippines, the PCS-led initiative aims to bridge the gap between patients and life-saving early detection services.
Leadership and Key Messages at the Launch
The event was underscored by powerful messages from PCS leadership and key government officials, setting a determined tone for the campaign.
- Dr. Corazon Ngelangel, President of the Philippine Cancer Society, delivered the Opening Remarks, formally kicking off the significant nationwide initiative.
- A Welcoming Message on behalf of Quezon City Mayor Josefina Belmonte was delivered by Dr. Karen Gemma See, Cancer Control Coordinator of the Quezon City Health Department, underscoring the vital partnership between the PCS and the local government in cancer control efforts.
- Councilor Alfred Vargas, District 5 Chairperson of the Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure, delivered a heartfelt Message of Support, signaling legislative commitment to public health.
- Dr. Chita Matunog, President, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, pledged her society’s commitment to treatment excellence.
- Dr. Warren Bacorro, President, Philippine Society of Oncologists, reinforced the collective medical effort to defeat cancer.
The ACT NOW A.C.T.I.V.E. Campaign: Mobilizing Grassroots Advocates
The new campaign, which expands the reach of the existing ACT NOW program, introduces a proactive approach to cancer control. The acronym A.C.T.I.V.E. stands for "Accelerating Cervical Cancer Treatment, Immunization & Vaccine Education." The core objective is to create a more effective, community-based cancer-fighting network.
The campaign's strategy focuses on training a new generation of community advocates and health workers on the fundamentals of patient navigation for both breast and cervical cancer. By equipping them with tools—including the use of mobile health platforms for patient self-reporting—the PCS aims to reduce treatment delays and shift diagnoses to an earlier, more treatable phase, aligning with the World Health Organization's (WHO) global targets for saving millions of lives through early detection.
As PCS stands to affirm: “Every Filipino deserves access to early detection services,” underscoring the PCS's unwavering commitment to health equity.
Event Highlights: A Day of Training and Empowerment
The launch event was a full-day program combining high-level presentations with grassroots mobilization.
Survivor Stories: A Journey of Hope
The emotional core of the morning session was the segment featuring cancer survivors:
- Ms. Alice Pagalunan shared her inspirational story as a Breast Cancer Survivor.
- Councilor Charm F. Ferrer of District 1 bravely delivered her powerful story as a Cervical Cancer Survivor, providing a firsthand testament to the importance of early detection and the life-saving impact of advocacy.
Campaign Launch and Education
The session was dedicated to introducing the campaign and providing critical medical and historical context:
- PCS Leadership and Vision: Mr. Romeo Marcaida, Executive Action Team - Operations Manager, formally introduced the Philippine Cancer Society's long history of dedication. Dr. Herdee Gloriane C. Luna, Executive Action Team - Oncology Manager, detailed the History and Significance of Patient Navigation and led the official launch of ACT NOW A.C.T.I.V.E.
- Medical Insights: Expert discussions were held on the Medical Aspects of Cervical Cancer by Dr. Cecilia Llave and the Medical Aspects of Breast Cancer by Dr. Gloria Cristal-Luna.
- Call to Action: The session culminated in a Commitment Pledge and a rousing CALL TO ACTION “ACT NOW: Save Lives” led by Dr. Kristine Tejada, solidifying the commitment of all attendees.
Patient Navigation Deep Dive
The afternoon focused on the practical application of patient navigation:
- Global Strategies: Dr. Anna Maree Bermudez discussed the principles of the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative, while Dr. Ingrid Magnata provided a detailed look at Patient Navigation for Cervical Cancer.
- Operational Training: Mr. Romeo Marcaida provided comprehensive training on the Roles, Barriers, and Resources for effective patient navigation.
- Self-Care: Dr. Maricar Sabeniano, Executive Action Team - Oncology Manager, led a crucial segment on Self-Care: Caring for the Carers.
The PCS, through this new campaign, is decisively moving from awareness to action, establishing a clear path toward reducing the burden of breast and cervical cancer across the Philippines. For more details, email us at
