Look Good, Feel Good: Rustan's tribute to cancer survivors

October is Cancer Awareness Month, hence we pay tribute to the survivors whose courage and faith remain solid and steadfast amidst crises and frustrations. The big C is a dreaded disease. It eats up not only the physique but also the emotions since it changes how the victim perceives herself or himself. However, as the old adage goes, “there’s a rainbow after the rain.”

After the successful convergence of breast cancer survivors in the Philippines dubbed as Silver Linings (spearheaded by I Can Serve Foundation) held last September 6 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Cebuano cancer survivors will once again embark on an activity that lifts the spirits and sends a message to each survivor that having cancer is not a hindrance to feel good about oneself. 

The Rustan’s Essenses Foundation will once again bring to Cebu one of its flagship projects, the Look Good Feel Good program that is implemented by the foundation’s Committee on Health and Well-Being headed by Trustee Isa Lorenzo in collaboration with I Can Serve on October 2 at Rustan’s Ayala Center-Cebu. On its third year, the vision is to provide makeovers, nail and skin care, and promises an afternoon of pampering and re-bonding among members of a support group. Breast Cancer survivors in their late 30s to late 70s mingle with their “breastfriends,” share pleasantries and for a moment they suspend their struggles while their attention are diverted on the useful make-up tips from maquillage experts, on wellness/pampering, giving importance on the individual.

Twenty-five breast cancer survivors have been identified to participate in this afternoon activity. ICS chooses women participants who come from low-income groups, who can barely afford the necessary treatments. The Look Good Feel Good project is definitely not about vanity, it is about inner therapy.

The Rustan’s Essenses Foundation firmly believes that when one looks good, she feels good at the same time. Organizers say that the simplicity of the workshop is what makes it profound – it’s like a hug, an instant mood-lifter, making cancer survivors feel good inside and look good outside, a day of thinking about themselves.

The Cebu LGFG Workshop was launched in September 29, 2006. For two consecutive years, Dior sponsored the make-over workshops. This year, Clinique is the sponsor.

In the past two years that the foundation extended the program here in Cebu, attendees shared that the LGFG experience has given them a renewed confidence. “Na gwapa ko kaayo”, “Now I’m encouraged to beautify myself everyday”, “It gave me a new zest in life”, “Ningbalik akong self-confidence”,  ”Malipayon ko uban sa grupo, first time nakasuway ug make-up”, “ I feel special”, “I think positively about life, develops more courage in meeting again my friends and makes me a normal person once again”, “Naa pay kinabuhi human sa cancer…”

Mary Anne Solomon or Me’ Anne, the principal coordinator for the LGFG Cebu and her angels from I Can Serve and the Cebu Support Groups and the Rotary Club-Cebu Fuente have been consistent in their support and cooperation, making it more enjoyable and meaningful each time.

“They say, once you have cancer, your life will never be the same again. Cancer was the worst and the best thing that ever happened to me. I really learned about myself and my survival instincts. I never realized what a fighter I was until it happened to me. I learned to appreciate life and somehow little things that used to bother me were no longer so important. The things that I had not done with my life that I always felt could wait, suddenly became more important. I have been given a second chance,” shared Me’Anne.

When you have cancer, the feeling may be unpleasant but remember that the silver lining awaits!

Let’s support our sisters! For every P500 purchase at Rustan’s Essenses Cosmetics and Toiletries, P1 goes to the Essenses Foundation and directly benefits women- oriented causes. The Foundation is run by 15 hard-working, highly successful and empowered Board of Trustees led by Kathleen “Maymay” Lior-Lienchtenstein as its President for four (4) consecutive years. Other Officers and Trustees: Rhoda Campos-Aldanese, Vice-President, who is also Rustan’s Vice President for Marketing, Lorna Patajo-Kapunan, Corporate Secretary, Catherine “Crickette” Tantoco, Treasurer, Marina “Nena” Tantoco, Angelita “Angel” Ramos, Romina Urra-Gonzalez, Ma. Carmen “Menchu” Menchaca-Soriano, Luisa “Isa” Lorenzo, Margarita “Margie” Moran-Floirendo, Gemma-Cruz Araneta, Katrina Goulbourn-Feist, Chiqui Roa-Puno, Monica “Nikki” Prieto-Teodoro and Eva Ruth “Bea” de la Armas-Abundo.