FORMER top model, business and media personality Rissa Mananquil Trillo revealed that she has been battling cancer since last year, and has been undergoing chemotherapy, brachytherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy.
Trillo opened up about her cancer battle as a way of celebrating her life in a lengthy Instagram post on Sunday, April 12, as she celebrated her birthday.
“This birthday, I’m celebrating life. Because last year, on March 8 — International Women’s Day — I heard the words I never thought I would: ‘It’s cancer.’ Nothing prepares you for that moment—the way everything shifts in an instant,” she said.
Despite her diagnosis, Trillo said she doesn’t want to be defined by her health battle, so she focused on showing up for herself in tough times. While undergoing medical treatments, she made sure to have mental strength by having the courage to defeat it.
“2025 became a year of treatments I never imagined I would go through — chemotherapy, brachytherapy, radiotherapy — and now, continuing immunotherapy. I never imagined cancer would be part of my story,” she said.
“But once it was, I knew how I wanted to face it. I chose to fight it mentally first. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that strength isn’t always visible—and winning often starts in the mind,” she continued.
Trillo shared that she chose to keep her diagnosis within her “most trusted prayer warriors,” saying her silence made things easier not only for herself but also for everyone around her.
“For a long time, my silence made things easier for everyone else—but it asked me to carry more than I should have. And it feels good to finally let myself be seen. My birthday this year feels like a quiet milestone. A reminder of what the body and mind can endure. A reminder of how much there is to be grateful for,” she said.
Trillo is a model and media personality, and the co-founder of the local makeup brand. She is currently the editor-in-chief of Allure Philippines.
She is the wife of Paolo Trillo, a businessman and basketball coach for Gilas Pilipinas. They tied the knot in October 2011, and have two daughters together.
She also has a twin brother, model Rob Mananquil, who was previously married to actress Maxene Magalona. (Hannah Mallorca © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
