Patricia Portento-Besana, or just simply "Beng" to most of her friends and family, passed away on July 23, 2024 after almost 12 long years and brave battle of cancer.

Beng was born December 22, 1964 to Donato Portento and Lilia Jadoc of the Philippines.  She is survived by her husband, Teody; sons, Patrick, Derick, and Jerick; and brother, Butsch.

When she was diagnosed of cancer (2012), she treated every second after that as her second life and was grateful to our Lord Almighty for giving her a second chance.  Together with her husband, she spent the remaining days of her life appreciating the beauty of God's creations.

Below are few of the extracts from her FB post (August 21, 2013) when she finally revealed about her cancer:

"I live to talk about Cancer…"

"What really amazed me are the interesting questions they asked like: Do you drink? Do you use contraceptives? Do you smoke? Is there someone in your family who had Cancer before? After answering "No" to all the questions, I can't forget what the Oncologist said "Well, I guess you're one of the lucky ones." How lucky can I be?!!"

"I read in one of the cancer magazines that "Cancer is no laughing matter but humor can be healing. Medication treats the body, but humor heals the mind."

"I believe that this is a new life for me. Becoming something better than I was before, whether it is how to relate to my dear family or friends or how compassionate I am as a human being. "Turning pain into purpose is healing."

"Though I prayed to the Lord that His will be done, I asked for courage and strength and that I may live longer to be with my family during the Holidays, attend to my son's school activities and witness my son's graduation day in whatever health condition I have. Sincerely, I do believe in miracles because I know in my heart that I am a living miracle! Life in itself is a miracle."

"I hope you find time to just stop for a minute and smell the roses. Appreciate and contemplate at how amazing life is. I looked at my family with intense love and value every single moment I have. I believe that I am a warrior and I thank the Lord for the inner strength, the inner courage, the blessings, the trials and challenges I face every day. I rise up and say to myself "Okay Cancer, Let's go!" As the saying goes, remember that you are not defined by your trials, but by how you face them."

"I believe in the Lord Almighty and in Him I put my trust. With perseverance and faith, I know I will finally win this challenge and say that "I kicked Cancer's butt!"

A funeral service will be held at MacDonald Funeral Home on Monday, July 29th. The family will receive visitors from 1:00 to 5:00, with the ceremony being held at 2:00.

Memories and messages of condolence can be shared on the MacDonald Funeral Home website.