I “cancervive!”: How Ka-Globe Mom Sheng Keeps Life Going
- Sheryl Barbasa-Malunes
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
A hands-on boy mom, a 22-year Ka-Globe, and a breast cancer “cancervivor”—I’m Sheryl “Sheng” Barbasa-Malunes, a Customer Experience Ambassador in Globe SM Bacolod Store, and this is how I keep going for my son, my work, and my community, all at once.
A Fighting Mom in the Middle of Beautiful Chaos
I’m a proud mom to Alfonzo, 5 years old and an incoming Grade 1 student this school year.
There are days I report to work looking a little tired. It’s probably because I spent the last 48 hours fighting imaginary monsters, dodging flying soccer balls, or trying to figure out how the dino toy and the TV remote control ended up in my work lunch box. But honestly, I wouldn’t trade the chaos for anything.
At 46, I would say that I am a very hands-on mom. I really look forward to my rest days so I can cheer and drive my son to his swimming class and summer football camp. Alfonzo is my little hero, my best friend, and my biggest headache—all in one adorable package.
Keeping Things Going with Globe
Beyond being a boy mom in the middle of beautiful chaos, a big part of who I am is being a Ka-Globe. I’ve been with Globe for 22 years, almost half my life, so I really grew up here as a professional and now as a mom.
The days when I was still a regional line trainer. Really enjoyed coaching our newly-hired frontliners
I started as a working student in the Globe Working Student Program (Globe WSP) in Robinsons Bacolod back in 2004. Through the years, I moved across different Globe Payment & Services Centers in Negros, became a regional line trainer, helped open Premium Dealer stores, and coached newly hired frontliners. After years of hard work and dedication, I eventually became Assistant Retail Manager (ARM) for SM Bacolod and Robinsons Bacolod.
The way I show up for my son is the same way I try to show up for our customers, my teammates, and the communities we serve. That’s what makes me a proud Ka-Globe mom.
A Heart for Community, On and Off the Clock
Even back in college at the University of St. La Salle Bacolod, I loved joining groups like La Salle Red Cross Youth and USLS Junior Jaycees, and I brought that same passion for service to Globe.
Among the many volunteering activities we've done for Brigada Eskwela
I’ve helped organize Globe volunteering activities like Brigada Eskwela, coastal cleanups, disaster relief, and Gawad Kalinga builds. I love how Globe reaches out to communities through these programs. To have an impact in the community gives me purpose, and as a mom, it makes me hopeful for the kind of world my son, Alfonzo, will grow up in.
Some snaps of our coastal cleanups and school visits in Aklan and Iloilo
On a personal note, I tied the knot later than expected. I married my best friend’s cousin, who has had a crush on me since grade school (as in since Grade 4 pa daw niya ako crush 🤭)!
Being a seafarer’s wife is often described as a unique blend of extreme resilience and independence. I learned early on to manage things on my own and to keep going even when my husband is out at sea.
So when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was already used to having a strong heart and a strong mind in facing the “big C.”
How Globe Helped Me Find the Cancer Early
It was actually through Globe’s Annual Physical Exam that the breast solid masses were detected.
After a year of routine mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and biopsies, I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma in Situ. I am grateful for our APE, because through that, I found the early signs of cancer in my right breast. That meant I had a bigger fighting chance.
In just five months, I braved two breast surgeries and survived 16 fractions of gruelling Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). It was physically and mentally draining.
Coming home and hugging my 5-year-old son on the day of my diagnosis was one of the hardest and most emotional moments of my life.
My dad passed away six years ago due to pancreatic cancer. My mom lives out of town. My seafarer husband happened to be on board during those toughest times. I didn’t even have a yaya, so it was just me and my 5-year-old son in the city.
Every day I would rise early, pray, and get ready for the day. I’d bring my son to school at 7:45 AM, then drive myself to Riverside Cancer Care Center for my daily radiation treatment at 8:30 AM. At 10:00 AM, I would drop by the church to light a candle, then pick up my kid from school at 11:00 AM.
There were days I was late for treatment because finding a parking space in the hospital was a daily challenge.
I remember one morning, already rattled and teary, I pleaded with the hospital ground security guard. He told me politely, “Ma’am, pasensya po, puwede niyo na lang pong ibaba ‘yong pasyente niyo, tapos ikot-ikot muna kayo. Baka maya-maya, may bakante na po.”
I told him, with tears in my eyes, “Ako din po ‘yong pasyente, sir. Late na po ako sa daily treatment ko po.” He looked inside the car and realized I was alone. “Ah, wala po pala kayong kasama or guardian. Sige po, ako na po bahala sa sasakyan.”
I hurried, changed into the hospital gown, and went to the holding room. There, another cancer patient about my age was seated in a wheelchair. She was pale and had alopecia from chemotherapy and radiation. She was surrounded by her family—her mom, dad, and I’m guessing her boyfriend. They were cheering her on for treatment.
I just burst into tears. I cried nonstop that I almost choked. At that moment, I felt weak, alone, and emotionally exhausted.
As a preschooler mom diagnosed with breast cancer, that “mom guilt” hit me so hard: the mix of fear, and a profound guilt that you cannot adequately care for or be there for your child while undergoing intensive, body-altering treatment.
The Hardest Months and a Shift in Perspective
The first few months were arguably the hardest. I was dominated by the trauma of the diagnosis and by starting aggressive radiotherapy and hormonal therapy.
Yet those two months also brought a profound perspective shift. I became more prayerful. I started to really spend quality time with my son. I decided that I would be open and share my cancer journey.
At first, I was quiet and too shy to share my diagnosis, and I would just cry over and over. But then I felt that talking about it and sharing my experiences would help me and others, and I wanted to spread breast cancer awareness.
I think it’s important for women to go for their routine mammogram and breast ultrasound regularly. Early detection means a bigger fighting chance. I wanted to show my friends and the people closest to my heart that you can live a normal life having breast cancer, and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
During this time, I was still committed to my role in B2C Territory Management and to our customers.
My Globe family has been very generous in extending assistance during those tough times.
The HR team, especially Mr. Aldwin Mahusay, was just a call away. He would even answer late-night calls about insurance processes and policies during my breast surgery and hospital admissions.
I told myself that once I got better, I would continue to stay committed to my work and to our team. It’s my way of “paying forward” to the organization that stood by me.
As a Senior Specialist – Customer Experience Ambassador at Globe SM Bacolod Store, I find meaning in every customer engagement. I make sure to deliver wonderful customer service in every customer encounter. Knowing I can still make someone else’s day a little better keeps me going.
And when I come home tired from work, I find strength in my son’s warm hugs.
The “Village” That Helped Me Cancervive
The emotional exhaustion of cancer often requires intense support from a “village.” I’m grateful that I have my support system, both at home and at work.
My husband and my family have been very supportive, caring, and encouraging. Within Globe, I have friends who turned into family.
It's always a pleasure to work alongside my teammates in Globe SM Bacolod Store
Little things like a fruit basket, a message from family saying, “We are thinking of you,” friends who offer a playdate for my kid, a random video call asking, “How was your day?”—these simple gestures mean more than they know. They really made my day.
For a mom who is used to being the one who keeps everything going, it was humbling and healing to be on the receiving end of care. Globe showed up for me so I could keep going—as a mom, as a woman, as a Ka-Globe.
After everything I’ve gone through, I’ve learned to prioritize health and tasks. I realized I needed to focus on what is necessary—not doing “all the things.”
Exercise and rest are just as important. Moms should redefine strength as knowing when to rest.
For me, the new definition of courage for mothers diagnosed with breast cancer is acknowledging vulnerability. Admitting that you are scared, tired, or overwhelmed doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. And it allows others to support you.
To other moms and Ka-Globe who might be quietly going through their own battles:
Yes, there are days that we can barely think straight. Some days we are scared. Some days we are angry—and that’s okay.
You are not alone in this. You are a mom—a one strong momma. You are doing a great job. Every mother is a warrior. And we “cancervive.”
This Mother’s Day, I honor every mom who keeps things going at work and beyond, often all at once. And I am thankful that as I keep going for my son, my customers, and my community, Globe keeps going with me—with support around me, so I don’t have to carry everything alone.
To every mom like Sheng who keeps life moving even through fear, fatigue, and “mom guilt”—may you remember that it’s okay to be vulnerable, to ask for help, and to still keep going. Happy Mother’s Day!
I am inspired by your story of hope and strength. May the Father bless and keep you.
I’m so proud of you for your strength and courage through this battle. Having had the chance to work with you for years, I’ve always admired your dedication, kindness, and positive spirit — both during our Globe days and even outside of work. You continue to inspire so many people, including me. Praying for your healing and cheering for you every step of the way. 🙏💙