Miles Ocampo. Image: Facebook/Crown Artist Management Inc.
A year after undergoing surgery for her thyroid cancer, Miles Ocampo has learned to embrace the many changes in her body, including her weight gain, accepting that this condition is something that is out of her control.
Ocampo admitted in a media conference for her series “Padyak Princess” that there was a time when she struggled with coming to terms with her body. The actress underwent thyroidectomy to curb her Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in March 2023.
“Aaminin ko, dumaan talaga ako d’un, lalo na after my operation. After my radiation, bloated talaga ako n’un. Sobrang depressing lalo na ‘yung trabaho natin, dapat presentable tayo… dapat may template ang mga artista,” she said.
(I admit, I went through that, especially after my operation. After my radiation, I was really bloated. It was such a depressing time, knowing our job as artists, as we must always look presentable. Artists must follow a template.)
With this, Ocampo believes going through a cycle of worrying about one’s weight is normal, and she eventually learned to embrace her weight gain through time.
“Napapagod na akong maapektuhan, hanggang sa dumating sa point na wala na akong magagawa. Nasa health ko ‘to, and kung payat man ako or tataba ako ulit, nasa dosage ng gamot ko,” she said.
“One year after the operation, two months or three months ako talagang papalit ang dosage ng gamot ko… As long as ginagawa ko ang trabaho ko, wala na akong problema d’un,” she continued.
(It’s tiring to be affected by it. Until it reached a point where I couldn’t do anything about it. It’s an effect on my health, and whether I lose or gain weight, it’s part of my dosage. One year after my operation — every two or three months — I need to change the dosage of my medicine. As long as I’m doing my job, I have no problem with it.)
Hit at self-esteem
The actress also pointed out that embracing one’s body is a process, but it’s a big thing for one’s self-esteem.
“Malaking bagay siya. Kahit sabihin nating [wag natin] pansinin ang mga bagay na ‘yun, malaking epekto sa utak at buhay ng isang tao. Matagal ang proseso na tanggapin at balewalain ang sinasabi, but at the end of the day, katawan mo naman ‘yun,” she said.
(It’s a huge thing. Even if we would say that we shouldn’t notice comments on our bodies, it affects one’s minds and lives. It’s a long process to accept your body and ignore those comments. But at the end of the day, it’s your body.)
Ocampo is the lead star of the morning series “Padyak Princess,” where she’s joined by Jameson Blake, Joao Constancia, Gillian Vicencio, Ara Mina, Yayo Aguila, Ces Quesada, Kira Balinger, and Christian Vasquez.