Life has been good to Patty Betita

What can stop beauty queen-turned-model, and now cancer survivor Patty Betita from living a life she always wanted?

Nothing, not even a failed romance nor a devastating disease. These could not snuff out even a small flicker from her inner spark.

“Life has been good,” Patty tells this blogger.

Modeling and travel

And yes, Patty has definitely been blessed. Winning the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant in 1991 as our representative to Miss International indeed opened doors for her, particularly in the world of modeling where she became one of the most sought after talents.

“(Modeling has been) good to me. I’ve traveled a lot. I’ve met a lot of interesting people,” Patti recalled when she started in the business. Her name turned into a byword on the ramp, with the local and international designers scampering to get her listed in their shows.

Her look -- alluring, enamoring -- won the day for designs she wore, and the fashion shows she headlined. Actually it was Renee Salud who introduced her into the world of fashion years back. It became apparent that her “it” factor brought out the best in her, as she won first runner-up in the Elite Model Search in 1989.

After winning Binibining Pilipinas International, Patty’s career went on an upswing. She appeared on fashion runways and commercial advertisements. Controversies came part and parcel of the celebrity life she went on to live.

Her JV Ejercito romance

The most telling was supposed romantic links to then political neophyte, now senator JV Ejercito. The rumors turned real after the birth of Emilio, which became a turning point in her life. After leading a “triple life” as model, businesswoman (of a catering venture) and public relations entrepreneur, Patty put an abrupt halt to a successful career in the country and left for the US with Emilio to start a personal “healing” process. While there, she also had three jobs. She served as modeling coach for a school while doing print jobs and restaurant work.

Patty came back to the Philippines a few years after to face her fears and prevailed. She continued her work in modeling—mostly as an image enhancement speaker and modeling coach.

But best of all, Patty moved on from her romance -- after building a harmonious relationship with Emilio’s dad JV.

Friends with JV's wife

“He and I, we really have a good relationship. We are very much involved with our son in whatever we can do. But we’re okay,” Patty said. JV had since tied the knot with Cindy Hyacinth Lotuaco, also a former beauty queen.

“I’m also friends with the wife,” Patty said. But best of all, she and JV are very collaborative when it comes to their son.

“He’s also involved (in rearing Emilio). We don’t always see each other. But, anything about our son Emilio, we always discuss it together.”

While this tempest might have had a silver lining and a happy ending for Patty, she would face another trial no one could ever be prepared for.

Breast cancer

Patty recounted: “In 2008, life was at a standstill for me. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer.” She learned of the diagnosis from a breast surgeon her friend recommended to her. Previously, her obstetrician-gynecologist discovered a lump in her left breast after a regular mammogram.

“You know, I was more shocked,” Patty said. “Hindi ako naiyak nga eh. I was scared. My son was eight or nine years old then. Eto na ba yon? Of course I talked to my doctors and they told me. This is the process. You go through surgery.”

Lucky for her, the malignant mass was discovered early.

“The good thing was it was really small,” Patty noted. “It was still localized hindi pa nag-spread. So they took out the tumor.”

Chemotherapy

But despite the nascent nature of the illness, Patty decided to follow her doctor’s suggestion for an “aggressive” approach—chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

“So I went through the whole process,” Patty said. “That was October of 2008 till March 2009. Even before the surgery, I made myself kalbo. I didn’t want to experience the hair loss. I would be so depressed.”

And, just like the previous storms in her life, coping wasn’t really a problem for Patty.

“I pretty much carried it well. I talked to my son about it. He didn’t know what it was but knew I was sick. Sabi ko you’ll just be with me to support me. So with a lot of faith in God, prayers, family support, friends, I was able to go through the whole procedure. The healing, the recovery, and I finished 2009, mga May or June na ata yun and every year naman I go to my checkups.

Biggest victory

After the perilous, painful battle against the Big C, Patty achieved her biggest victory.

“Thank God, I’m 100% cancer free,” Patty declared.

But the risk of recurrence has always been there, and Patty said a change in lifestyle and outlook contributes a lot in keeping her healthy. Of course, the support she gets from the people around her solidifies her stance.

“Every day I wake up, it’s a miracle for me,” Patty stressed. “If you know anyone who has gone through the Big C, siyempre you are faced with your own mentality. Akala mo death sentence na yun di ba? So I’m really thankful that every day, I’m okay. I go for my medical checkups, I don’t miss out on those. With that, you do what you can medically, pray and surrender everything and whatever you can do.”

Health regimen

As part of her daily regimen, Patty has a generous intake of multivitamins while keeping fit through exercise while watching her diet.

Like now, I take a lot of multivitamins, exercise, I changed my lifestyle. I still eat the same food but in moderation. I’m big now in supplements because prior to the diagnosis, wala akong pakialam noon. (I thought) I’m strong, I’m invincible, I’m young. Yun ang feeling ko noon but now I’m very careful but I still enjoy life. I just surrender everything, (and always do) positive thinking.”

Patty was recently named brand ambassador of the Utah-based global nutritional firm USANA Health Sciences for her continuing journey of taking healthy choices.

“(I wish I had) made healthier choices in terms of what I ingest when I was younger. I wish I had less vices. I know all of them contributed to my cancer,” Patty said. “But now I start and end the day with my USANA vitamins and supplements and I always feel reenergized.”

Amazing recovery

Her most recent check-up early this year confirmed her amazing recovery.

“In the beginning of the year, I had my blood works. They check your cholesterol, yung kidney, lahat, everything’s normal. The urine test is normal. It’s the food you eat, your lifestyle, exercise, and then I attribute it a lot to the vitamins.”

And, aside from being in the pink of health after this serious illness, Patty has gained far more than she can ever imagine.

“First of all, I made peace with myself. Kasi kailangan yun. You have to forgive yourself for the mistakes you’ve committed in the past. It has to start with you muna before other people. So I’ve done that. I’ve made peace with myself. I’d like to believe I have a better relationship with God. And my family has always been there. Yun ang support natin. And then my friends have always been there. I love my work now. I’m enjoying my career now. And my son, he’s turning 14 next week. He and I have a really great relationship. Plus the dad, JV…I’m good, I’m happy."