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Magazine editor Rissa Mananquil Trillo reveals cancer diagnosis: 'I’m finally ready to tell this story'
Rissa Mananquil Trillo took to social media to open up about her cancer diagnosis.
On Instagram, the Allure Philippines editor-in-chief shared portraits of herself to commemorate her 47th birthday, along with a brave revelation: She has been battling cancer since March 2025.
"Last year, on March 8—International Women’s Day—I heard the words I never thought I would: 'It’s cancer'," she began.
According to Rissa, she didn’t want to be defined by the diagnosis or treated differently, "So I focused on what I could control—how I showed up, and how I held my mind."
“Because when people hear the word ‘cancer,’ it can feel like everything stops, like it’s the end of the story," she said. "But I made a choice early on—it wouldn’t be mine."
The former model revealed that 2025 became a year of treatments, including chemotherapy, brachytherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy.
“I never imagined cancer would be part of my story. But once it was, I knew how I wanted to face it,” she said, adding that she chose to fight it "mentally first."
In her revelation, Rissa shared the something she learned through it all: “Strength isn’t always visible—and winning often starts in the mind."
Reflecting on the past year, she said that when she made time to meet people in person, it wasn’t “by chance.”
"It meant I chose to be there. It meant I gave what I could, when I could," she wrote.
Calling her birthday “a quiet milestone,” Rissa said it served as “a reminder of what the body and mind can endure” and “how much there is to be grateful for.”
“I’m finally ready to tell this story," she said. "More, soon."
Rissa didn't mention what kind of cancer she was diagnosed with, or if she's already finished her treatments.
Rissa was named Allure Philippines EIC in April 2025. The beauty magazine's maiden issue featured Heart Evangelista and Bretman Rock.
— Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA News
