Cindy Lotuaco-Ejercito on battling Cancer and inspiring her husband JV Ejercito in pushing Cancer Control Bill to the Senate

There’s something freeing and positive about Mrs. Cindy Lotuaco-Ejercito’s spirit. She’s the wife of reelectionist Sen. JV Ejercito and mom to sons namely Jose Emilio Ejercito and Julio Jose Ejercito. She's also one of the most genuine, caring, and inspiring women I've had the pleasure of knowing.


So what else? She’s a former model, and yes, a brave cancer survivor. There's just something about her smile and her super mahinahon or malumanay way of speaking to people. I find her aura, her passion, everything about her admirable and inspiring.


Over lunch at Cafe Mary Grace, Ms. Cindy sounded happy and excited about his husband's Senate bid and at times sad that JV is outside the Top 12, in the latest Pulse Asia survey on senatorial preferences. To be honest, I can't help but feel sad too, because the surveys include some senatorial candidates whose resume in state government I believe does not stack up to Senator JV's who passed 79 laws and authored 572 bills. San Juan City revenue grew from Php300m to Php1B. And to see them secure the most-coveted seats in pre-election surveys and win, um, I guess that will be extremely disappointing.  I don't know how they do those surveys but I do know this. JV is a strong candidate and he deserves a seat in the Senate.

Because of Cindy's battle with the big C, Senator JV brought forth a more focused prevention and integrated cancer program that would improve the survivorship of cancer patients, through the National Integrated Cancer Control Act.

 JV Ejercito, also author of the Universal Health Care measure, said the law would address the various gaps in the cancer care continuum and integrated solutions. FYI: Cancer is the third leading cause of adult death and fourth in child mortality. This bill will truly give hope to every underprivileged and marginalized Filipino battling cancer as they will have an equitable and affordable cancer treatment and care.

"If it's time for me to go, I'm ready. Pero siguro hindi pa time and siguro there's a purpose why I'm still here. So for me, you just have to be positive in life and it's important to reconnect with family," she said during a luncheon earlier today. Still smiling despite telling us what she went through. But she survived, and with the help of her husband, family, and friends, she got through it. She survived cancer and so much more.

Ms. Cindy Ejercito with her son, Julio Jose Ejercito

When asked about the things that she has learned to appreciate after surviving cancer, Cindy said: “Time, family, and friends.” Despite how full (and crazy) her schedule can be, she makes sure to spend time with her family in whatever ways she can.

What I learned from her: Always try to see the positive in everything and everyone (including myself). There's strength within in all of us as women, in all walks of life, to strive to be strong but still have time to care for our family and friends.

Her faith and never-give-up-on-life attitude inspired me so much. And though she's been keeping it pretty low-key since the start of the election campaign, she has made it clear that like her husband, she believes the struggle to access and afford quality health care has become a horror story for Filipinos.

Sabi nga ng maraming Pinoy, di ba? Bawal magkasakit dahil magastos ang magkasakit. But it doesn’t have to be this way. That's why her husband led the legislative processes on the Universal Health Care Bill that would essentially create enough fund to ensure that every Filipino has access to quality health services.

And that, my friend, is why I believe that JV is truly the good one! 😊

Trust me on this, because as crazy as the world of politics can be, there is still room for the good ones. There is still room for JV. There is still room for your voice. Your vote. Your Senator.

Ikaw, besh? Sino ang iboboto mo? Let me know in the comments below.


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