Former DILG Usec. Martin Diño with Liza Diño. Image from Facebook / Liza Diño.
Former Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño is battling stage 4 cancer, according to her daughter, former Film Development Council of the Philippines chairperson Liza Diño-Seguerra.
On Facebook, Diño-Seguerra cheered her father on as she shared two photos with him — one where he was sporting a close-cropped hair and gaunt-looking face albeit smiling face, and another where he appeared to have his hair grow back.
“From this to this,” Diño-Seguerra captioned her post. “So yeah, my dad is fighting the big C (stage 4) but we won’t let if defeat us.” She, however, did not specify which type of cancer his dad has.
Ice Seguerra’s wife said it’s been a year since they found out that Diño was sick, and the situation had been challenging for the entire family.
“I just realized it’s been a year now since we found out he is sick and while it’s been difficult for our family, we are inspired by my papa’s determination and fighting spirit. Ang dami nya pang gustong gawin. Ang dami nya pang gustong matulungan and I know nagpapalakas sya dahil gusto nyang bumalik sa public service (He wants to do more. He wants to help more people, and I know that he is just gathering his strength because he still wants to return to public service),” she said.
Looking at the challenges that they are now facing, Diño-Seguerra said she feels grateful for every little thing and opportunity that have been dealt them in the past.
“I just realized, when challenges like these come your way, you can’t help but be grateful just for the fact that you get live another day; that being happy doesn’t take that much because you recognize the value of the little things in life,” she said.
For one, she said that the fact her father is already growing his hair back was something to be grateful for.
“Im so happy to see you happy papa. Your hair! Omg, it’s back. You look great! Im so proud of you. And look at that smile. Never nawala ang charm. Jusko, kaya guapo pa rin!!! Ang tapang mo papa. Basta laban tayo. Nandito kami sa likod mo! (You never lost your charm. You’re still so handsome! You are brave. Let’s just fight, we are just right here behind you). Love you!” she said.
Prior to being DILG Undersecretary under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Diño was the former chairman of the Subic Bay Maritime Authority (SBMA). In 2015, supposedly on the prodding of his party, PDP Laban, Diño famously filed his certificate of candidacy for president as placeholder for Duterte, but later withdrew his candidacy before the Commission on Elections declared him a nuisance candidate.
Diño’s first foray into politics began when he became a barangay leader in Quezon City, who would then fight on behalf of the victim of executed child rapist Leo Echegaray. Later on, he served as chairman of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) after serving for 13 years as barangay captain. EDV