PEP: Francine Prieto becomes emotional over ailing mom

Sexy comedienne Francine Prieto, Anna Marie Falcon in real life, is currently facing one of the biggest trials of her life: her mother, Amelia Falcon, was recently diagnosed with cancer. Right now, Mrs. Falcon is confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center and Showbiz Central visited her to check on how she is doing so far. "Ang findings kasi nila, mayroon akong tumor, cancer stage three sa ovary," said Amelia. "Mayroon akong bukol sa ovary... mayroon din akong cyst sa liver. May two options na binigay ng doctor. Ang isa ooperahan, ang isa chemotherapy." Her message to Francine was: "Thank you so much for the support. Alam ko naman na you sacrificed everything for the family and alam mo naman na mahal na mahal kita. Sana dagdagan pa ng Diyos ang buhay ko para sa inyo." FRANCINE PRIETO SHEDS TEARS FOR ILL MOTHER. Francine, who guested live at SC on May 10, was asked what she was doing to stay strong in this time of crisis. "Sinasabi ko na lang sa kanya na marami naman taong naka-survive sa cancer," said Francine. "Yung iba nga, dalawa-dalawa pang klaseng cancer at nag-survive. So siyempre, nandito naman kami para suporthan siya at lahat na puwedeng magpagaling sa kanya, e, gagawin namin." Francine also said that she understands exactly how her mother is feeling since her grandmother died of cervical cancer and her dad also succumbed to colon cancer back in 2002. "So siyempre, sabihin man na may cancer siya, e, parang, 'Ano ba ito, pati pala siya mayroon din.'" How did she learn about her mom's condition? "Magkakasama kaming magkapatid noong in-explain sa amin nung doctor yung kalagayan ng mommy ko," said Francine. "Mommy ko, umiiyak na. Ako naman, tinatanong ko kung wala na ba ibang option, kasi kung ooperahan kaagad, e, tatanggalin ang bukol sa rectum niya kaya nahihirapan siya dumumi. Sabi ko, kung wala na po bang option, dahil pag ooperahan, e, madalas hindi nagiging okay, e." Francine proceeded to explain that the doctor told her that there was therapy where chemotherapy was applied before surgery. "Three cycles yun, and every three weeks and chemo niya," added Francine. "So nag-start na siya last Thursday, naka-first cycle na siya." So how is Mommy Amelia doing now? "Kanina bago ako umalis, e, sabi niya, parang nalalaglag daw ang matris niya, kaya tinawagan namin ang doctor at may pinainom naman na gamot, so ganoon lang muna." ADMIRATION. Francine added that her mom was strong, especially her personality. It was one of the traits that Francine so greatly admired in her mom. "Kaya sa tingin ko, malalagpasan niya ito. So sana talaga lahat ng mga treatment sa kanya, e, maging effective sa kanya para gumaling siya." As Francine's surviving parent, Amelia has always been with her daughter and they are closer than ever before. Even as a child, Francine said that Amelia was present all the time and bore witness to her career as an actress. It is for the first time that she will not be at Francine's side during her tapings since the doctor prohibited her to be in crowded places. "Naninibago ako," admitted Francine. "Kasi hindi pwede sa mga crowded place dahil mababa na [ang] immune system niya dahil sa chemo, so puwede siya makasagap ng kung anu-anong sakit." Is she scared that her mom might succumb to this kind of disease? Getting teary-eyed, Francine said, "Pag nawala si Mommy, ako na papalaki sa mga kapatid ko. Siyempre kayanin ko naman, pero iba pa rin ang may magulang, di ba, na nandiyan? Siyempre, lahat naman gusto natin makasama sila nang matagal na matagal na matagal... Ayaw naman natin makita na may nararamdaman na iba o nahihirapan." THIS MOTHER'S DAY. It seems ironic that Francine would be facing this day with worry but she feels optimistic about celebrating Mother's Day, however dreadful the circumstance. She shared that she invited her mom to eat out this Mother's Day but due to her condition, they may be celebrating it at home. As a parting note, Francine gave her profoundest thanks to her mother. "Salamat sa lahat-lahat at sa sacripisyo ninyo, sa pagmamahal, sa pag-aalaga. Mahal na mahal po namin kayo." (Blood donations [of any type] will be greatly appreciated and blood donors may visit Cardinal Santos Medical Center on Wilson St., San Juan.) - Philippine Entertainment Portal