Actress, TV host and comedienne Melai Cantiveros on Friday revealed that she overcame “breast lump” scare in a testimony delivered on Good Friday.
Melai was among the sharers of Minor Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s “Seven Last Words” or “Siete Palabras.”
In her testimony, Melai shared that she had a breast lump scare that made her question her faith.
She said that after feeling the lump in her breast, she kept it to herself as she got afraid to leave her family and die.
“Breadwinner kasi ako,” Melai said.
The comedienne said she questioned why the Lord has allowed this to happen. However, instead of dwelling on her ordeal, Melai shared that she saw this as a motivation to find an answer to her question: “Bakit mo ako pinabayaan?”
This led her to visit churches in Bohol for two months, which drew her closer to God while seeking acceptance of her health situation.
It was supposed to be her vacation but Melai quipped that it became a two month-worth of Visita Iglesia.
“Sana ma-accept ko Lord ang kapalaran ako, kung hanggang saan na lang ako,” Melai shared her prayer.
Melai also mentioned that she didn’t request the removal of the breast lump for herself, but rather to ensure her children’s strength and to alleviate her fear of death.
“Sana maging marunong na [sila] sa buhay, maging mabuting bata sila pagtanda,” the actress said.
Melai is a wife to fellow Pinoy Big Brother alum Jason Francisco and mom to her daughters Mela and Stella.
She said that if she recovers, she made a promise to also bring her children close to God.
“Nangako ako na ‘pag gumaling ako, dadalhin ko ang anak ko araw-araw sa simbahan hangga’t kaya,” she said.
She also set a deadline for herself to undergo a health check-up.
According to Melai, after two months, she got an answer that her ordeal is only a way for her to be closer to God.
“Hindi na ako natakot sa kamatayan kahit wala nakakaalam sa pinagdadaanan ko,” she said.
“Hindi ko na pinagdasal na mawala ang bukol ko. Ang pinagdasal ko is talagang bigyan ako ng peace of mind…After two months, nawala na ang bukol ko. Hindi pa ako umabot sa pag-check up. Every day ko kinakapa, paggising ko nawala,” Melai said, considering it as a miracle.
“God moves in mysterious ways,” she concluded.
Melai called on the faithful to keep praying and talking to God, saying He can become our refuge in difficult times.
She also said Jesus Christ’s “Seven Last Words” can become our weapon to keep going in life.
“Seven Last Words” or “Siete Palabras” are the sayings of Jesus on the cross. These are his seven expressions biblically attributed to Jesus during his crucifixion.
Every Good Friday, a radio or television program hosts speakers who reflect on the Seven Last Words from the Cross.