Deborah Sun. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Julius Babao UNPLUGGED
Deborah Sun opened up about being diagnosed with stage two colon cancer, with the actress regarding her faith as her source of strength amid these trying times.
“Colon cancer, stage two lang naman. Naagapan—thank you, Lord,” Deborah said of her condition in a vlog interview with broadcaster Julius Babao on Thursday, Aug. 22. The vlog also featured Deborah’s sister, actress Jobelle Salvador.
“Nung hiniling ko talaga kay Lord, sabi ko sa kanya nung nalaman kong cancer, ‘Lord, sana po kung hindi man benign, sana stage one or two lang’ — binigay naman Niya. Sabi ko pa sana hindi na ako mag-chemo, oral chemo lang ‘yung gamot, binigay naman Niya,” Deborah added.
Deborah expressed her gratitude to her friends in the showbiz industry and a few politicians, who extended financial help for her medication.
“‘Yun pa lang na matibay ka sa pagsubok na binigay sa’yo, blessing na ‘yon,” she continued. “Sabi nila para akong walang sakit, e yakang-yaka ko ‘to e. Ibinigay sa akin ni Lord ito kasi alam niyang kaya ko — kaya binigay niya itong pagsubok na ito.”
When asked what she felt the first time she knew she had cancer, Deborah admitted she was filled with fear.
“Natakot talaga ako kasi naisip ko agad ‘yung mga anak ko,” she said as she turned emotional, noting that one of her children suffers from a mental health condition.
Despite her condition, Deborah underscored that she can still work and would gladly accept acting offers if given the opportunity. She also noted that she has nothing but gratitude to the production of “Batang Quiapo” for the role they gave her in the ABS-CBN TV series.
During the interview, Deborah also received a religious figurine of St. Ezekiel Moreno, the patron saint of cancer patients, and P30,000 cash from Babao.
Further speaking about the struggles of battling the disease, Deborah said, “Mahirap syempre una ‘yung financial. Like I said kanina, kung hindi niyo ako tinutulungan, baka wala na ako… Mahirap magkasakit kung wala kang pera talaga.”