Cancer-stricken woman takes cue from Paolo Ballesteros movie, dies beautiful

Life is short, and some lives are tragically shorter than others. On April 17, Racine Pregunta passed away at 20 years old after a long bout with osteosarcoma, a type of cancer which affects the bones.

Pregunta, a model and a Communication Arts student, was diagnosed in 2016.

According to her family, Pregunta was a fighter who remained strong and optimistic throughout her struggle with the debilitating disease. She remained hopeful despite already losing a leg.

Her sister Rolyn showed videos of Pregunta singing happily in November, when her health seemed to improve. However, by March, her condition began to worsen.

In April, Pregunta spoke to her sister about funeral arrangements. According to a report by Jay Sabale for GMA News' 24 Oras on Sunday, she was inspired by Paolo Ballesteros' character Trisha from the movie "Die Beautiful."

A Facebook post under Racine Pregunta II recounted the exchange, where she is quoted as saying "If I die, I want to die BEAUTIFUL."

Pregunta left instructions with her sister, asking for a flower crown and white off-shoulder dress. For the other days, she requested for blooms in violet, blue, and mint green.

The family was unable to grant her second wish, but a flower arrangement came in the exact colors that Pregunta requested. The family later found out that Ballesteros had sent it, coupled with a card that read, "You are beautiful."

Her sister on Facebook wrote that she was laid to rest, beautifully forever, on April 21. — Aya Tantiangco/BM, GMA News