Free Smiles From a Tough Cancer Survivor

Ruschelle Pena a.k.a “Moo”

Meet my friend, RUSCHELLE PENA, who always smiles at every stranger she meets. When I ask her why she does so, her quick reply is, “Well, it’s good to smile, right?” This dear extroverted friend whom I had met and befriended during my SFC (Singles for Christ) days had been a blessing as she had been one of the most loving people to me. We call each other presidents of our MAC (Mutual Admiration Club). 

Ruschelle “Moo” (left) and Noralyn (right) at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

Ruschelle, fondly called Moo, is loaded with ideas. In fact, her surge of ideas is so fast, I can never catch up. My most favourite conversations with her are those about our life experiences with the Lord.  

When she moved to Australia from Singapore, our friendship withstood the test of distance. Our phone calls took hours. Between years, it pained me to know my friend had to go through difficult times. Her mother was diagnosed with cancer and love brought her back to the Philippines from Australia to take care of her ailing mother. Moo was at her mother’s side until her mother’s last. Not everyone can do this.

In 2018, Moo was diagnosed with breast cancer. I knew the journey was tough but whenever I called her, I would end up being the one enlightened and encouraged. If there is one regret I had, it is that I did not get to visit and be with her due to my limited finances then. 

These days, when we meet personally or virtually, I see someone who always brightens other people’s day no matter how hard her own battle is. Moo is a cancer survivor and she continues to live an inspiring life.