Carmina Angeles Chua has had a tough ride yet the smile on her face seems to belie the struggles and challenges she has been through. “My past made me a lot stronger” Chua says. She has emerged victorious from all the battles in life that she went through — from being an adopted child to a single parent who raised four children by herself and recently, a cancer survivor. “Life has never been easy but with God, everything is possible.”
At the age of 4, she took ballet and have honed her expertise through the years. She taught ballet for a time and still, in fact, teaches voluntarily after their church service. “That’s how I give back in my own little way, masaya na ako na nakakatulong ako.” she says. She took up Interior Design in college.
As a devoted Christian, her life speaks of the Lord’s purpose has and lived her life without regrets.
Mina speaks with conviction and her strong personality shines through as we talked about how cancer has drastically changed her perspective towards life. She talked as if she didn’t undergo a major health issue.
“My children are my inspiration. It is for them that I work hard and still live”
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer year 2008. Para hindi kumalat yung cancer cells, they really had to remove my left breast” she recalls. Mina, at that time, has accepted every blow in her life. After the surgery, she underwent chemotherapy and lived one day at a time. Facing her own mortality, she submitted herself freely to His will. “With faith in God, everything is possible. Maniwala ka lang! That’s why I didn’t cry when my left breast was removed,” and she added “I was more focused on the wig that I will be using. Dapat maganda ka pa rin, di ba?!”
Before cancer, she already was a fighter. She had to be.
Mina took the plunge at an early age. At the young age of 17, she married her high school sweetheart and had her first child. After the birth of the fourth (and youngest) child, it did not take long before marital relations took its toll.
But Mina was not to be defeated.
She fearlessly stepped up and worked her way to raise her four children. “We needed to survive and so I worked,” she stated. Her perseverance paid off and raised her children the very best way she can. “Sila ang kayamanan ko.”
“Life has never been easy but with God, everything is possible.”
Fast-forward to the present, Mina obviously derives her pride and joy from her four children. The relationship with the former husband is described as civil. Among her children, she does not have a “favorite” as she exerts extra effort to make sure that all of them are given time.
“My children are my inspiration. It is for them that I work hard and still live” she stated. In all aspects of Mina’s life, she eliminated the drama and approached each hurdle head on and without fear. She is realistic and she has sacrificed so much of herself in dedication for her children. Her purpose in life and her unconditional love for her family serves as her inspiration to fight for the dreaded disease called cancer. “I had lifted everything up to the Lord” and her relentless faith has kept her still in times of storm.
She has fought emotional, financial, spiritual and physical pain; she has cried out but in the end, she is victorious. Mina is a true testament that your faith can save you. Of course she is still human and is bound to falter at times but she manages to stand up and continue facing life’s caveats head-on. “God’s love knows no boundaries. You only have to believe.”
Positivism, faith and resourcefulness. The personification of these may very well be found in one like Carmina Chua.
at 2:01 am
Totoong walang imposible sa Panginoon, tumawag ka lamang at Siya ay sasagot sayo.
at 2:05 am
I salute her for being strong and positive person. Her attitude towards God and life is truly inspiring. Given a chance, i love to write a book about her life, the challenges she went through, her ups and downs because a lot of people will be enlightened and inspired to live life in the same manner she did.
at 2:07 am
Very strong woman! I can’t help but admire her. I really wouldn’t know what to do if i were diagnosed with cancer.
Faith heals and can really move mountains. With God nothing is impossible!
at 2:21 am
The article is really touching. It just proves that optimism and faith is more than enough for one to be happy in life.
Indeed, God is good.
at 6:46 am
She’s one of the most positive woman I’ve known . Her strength in aspects of motherhood and sickness inspired me very much. She has served God soulfully and her undeniable faith truly conquers all life’s obstacles. Keep smiling girl…..it boosts our immune system .
at 12:49 am
Cancer survivors never fail to amaze me because of the fact that battling a crippling disease can really be a challenge. She’s very lucky to have a very supportive family behind her back to make sure that she survives it. But most importantly, having a strong faith in God.
at 12:50 am
Its amazing story and inspiring too!
at 2:02 pm
GO MOM. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU…. <3. love love love
at 1:02 am
This is like the best movie to be written about a mother, a cancer survivor and a believer. I can see her story written and acted on big screens. She is such a fighter.
This is an inspirational real-life story that must be shared to all.
We fall easily from the struggles that we’re facing yet we don’t know how hard it is for people to fight for their life.
You are a blessing!
at 1:11 am
This makes me realized that we’re still lucky even if we do have our own problems as well because reality check there’s a lot of people out there who’s also suffering it could be from sickness or maybe because they don’t have food for their kids or worst case scenario is no home at all to keep them warm from being alone..so with that realization i can say that there’s no reason for me to get sad or be mad i’m still lucky comparing to those people out there..instead, we should all be thankful for all those blessings that we received…more please!
at 3:49 am
Wow! Yes, i’ve known Carmina since we were high school, behind the quiet demeanor she has, she has always been a fighter! I’ve witnessed what she went through, the big changes in the comforts she had, all the attention she got being an only child, to becoming a young mother to four beautiful responsible children and in her survival with cancer. I don’t really know how she does it! Of course her faith in God is no doubt a big factor. Mina, stay the way you are! I salute you for your courage!
at 1:02 am
Happy Mother’s to a very special mother like you..
at 4:09 am
With God, everything is possible, Indeed! I admire you Ms Carmina Chua! You are truly an inspiration! Happy Mother’s Day =)
at 11:24 pm
its amazing:) god show you how they exist;)
god bless!
at 11:39 pm
She is truly an inspiration.
at 11:43 pm
I salute you for being a strong & good mom to your children! Raising a child is not easy, how much more if you raised 4 children. Your so great. You have a very inspiring story! I’ve learned from your story, on how to become strong person. I loved the courage that you have. Nothing is impossible if you really have a strong Faith in God.. Everything will have a positive outcome as long as you believe in Him. Thanks for your inspiring message Ms. Carmina Angeles Chua..
at 12:00 am
i really admire this woman.. very strong.. i just wish can be strong like her… while fighting the game of life,,,,
at 9:53 am
Praise the LORD the most high! your FAITH w/ our LORD JESUS CHRIST heals you!!! you’re a BEAUTIFUL FIGHTER Tita Min!!!
we are all proud of you a true WONDERFUL MOM living w/her FAITH in GOD! we LOVE you Tita Min… God bless us all.. mwahugsz…