Pinoy Showbiz News, Celebrities, Special Features, Movies
Ronnie Ricketts Fights The Cancer Battle
By Excel V. Dyquiangco
Ronnie Ricketts still squares off with a different kind of nemesis – one that seemed impossible to defeat. — the Big C.
For years now, Ronnie has been an advocate in fighting cancer through various campaign materials, through sports and through the movies he makes. It started back in 1998 when he was chosen as a spokesperson for the Philippine Cancer Society, doing talks about cancer, along with his wife Maris. He hasn’t looked back since then and he enjoys what he does, aside from acting in front of a camera.
Ronnie became passionate in his campaign against cancer, which is admirable considering he’s not even a cancer survivor himself. He has engaged himself, along with his fellow actors and artists like Onemig Bondoc, Alvin Anson, Dinky Doo, Onyok Velasco, Jeffrey Santos and TJ Trinidad, to speak to a group of students in schools about anti-smoking, which eventually leads to cancer.
Instead of smoking, he leads the students to a different route of leisure like sports or martial arts. In fact, he belongs to a group of martial artists called Bakbakan International, teaching the sports to interested individuals at least twice a week.
Ronnie is also part of campaign tours and basketball tournaments to raise funds for cancer victims. Aside from basketball, he also joined a cycling event before called “Bike for Life” with Fr. Robert Reyes and James Auste, a cancer survivor. This was held at The Fort in Taguig City.
And when he does movies, notice that he doesn’t smoke or drink. His latest offering, Lagot Ka Sa Kuya Ko, imparted subliminal messages to viewers by having no smoking signs and banners flashed onscreen.
Ironically, he was once offered to do a cigarette commercial worth 3.5 million.
“I turned it down, of course,” Ronnie says without an inch of regret in his voice. “My reputation as a supporter in fighting cancer is far more important and much greater than that kind of money.”
And because of this, he has received an award from the World Health Organization back in 2004 in Malate Church, and from a group of doctors known as the Philippine Oncologists at St. Luke’s, for his firm stand and belief in bringing this kind of disease to justice.
As a known fighter against cancer, he also has some share of problems. “Sometimes, people just come up to you and ask help for their cancer-stricken family member, believing that you have the money to help them,” he says sadly. “If I can afford it, I will pay. But I can only help so much. And I get really frustrated about this.”
The lack of funds of the Philippine Cancer Society, he adds, also causes a burden to his battle. But despite all of this, he remains strong and steadfast in kicking out cancer for life.
He has these advices to share to kick out cancer for good - avoid smoking, eat right and healthy, exercise, live a healthy lifestyle and of course, pray.
“When you do have cancer, don’t ever give up,” Ronnie says. “Always have a positive outlook in life.”
Tags: Ronnie Ricketts, Philippine Celebrity, Philippine Entertainment, Philippine Showbiz News
About Excel Dyquiangco: Excel V. Dyquiangco works as a writer for an advocacy and consultancy firm in Makati City. During his spare time, he writes stories for children, writes for various magazines catering to different topics, writes textbooks for elementary and highschool students and formulates scripts for television and movies. He also teaches English to Korean, Burmese and Indonesian students. He was recently featured in Reader's Digest Asia, with the headline CASH NOW: SECRETS OF SUCCESS, which discusses his work as a writer..
12 Mar 2007 Excel Dyquiangco
