Where hope shines brighter: Ieuan’s journey to healing in Singapore

When Roda Shayne Magat arrived in Singapore with her seven-year-old son, Ieuan, last August, she was tired but hopeful.

After years of hospital visits and waiting lines in Manila, she finally felt that their prayers were being answered. From the moment they landed, everything was ready—the hotel, the transfers, the schedules.

“God is so good,” Magat said with a smile. “Lahat plantsado na.”

It was the first time in a long while that things felt certain. For a mother who had spent years worrying about her son’s fragile health, being in Singapore for treatment felt like stepping into a new chapter—one filled with calm, structure, and hope.

The long road from diagnosis to treatment

Ieuan’s story began when he was just four years old.

What first seemed like minor vision issues led to a devastating diagnosis: a rare brain tumor called craniopharyngioma. By then, he had already lost sight in his right eye.

“Pero nakakakita pa siya sa left,” Magat said softly. She clung to that one remaining light while searching endlessly online for possible cures.

In 2024, she read about Proton Beam Therapy, an advanced type of radiation treatment that could target tumors precisely without harming healthy tissues. It was a breakthrough that sounded like an answered prayer—but there was one problem.

“Wala pong Proton Beam Therapy sa Philippines,” Magat said. “Kaya nag-email ako sa lahat ng hospital na meron.”

Only one replied—Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore.

That single response set everything in motion.

A doctor’s expertise, a family’s trust

At Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore, Ieuan came under the care of Dr. Lee Kuo Ann, a radiation oncologist who has treated many children with complex brain and head tumors using Proton Beam Therapy.

In a separate interview, Dr. Lee recalled Ieuan’s case vividly. “For children like Ieuan, precision is key,” he explained. “Their organs are still developing, and traditional radiation can affect healthy tissue around the tumor.”

“Proton Beam Therapy allows us to deliver the dose exactly where it’s needed, sparing the critical areas nearby.”

According to Dr. Lee, the goal was to control the tumor without affecting Ieuan’s brain and hormonal function.

“He tolerated treatment very well,” Dr. Lee said. “He was brave, cheerful, and full of curiosity—even when facing something so difficult at such a young age.”

He added that Proton Beam Therapy is especially valuable for pediatric patients because it minimizes long-term side effects.

“When we treat a child, we’re not just thinking of today’s cure—we’re protecting their tomorrow,” Dr. Lee emphasized.

Healing with heart at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore

The Proton Therapy Centre, which opened in May 2023, is Singapore’s first. Singapore is one of only two countries in Southeast Asia offering Proton Beam Therapy.

Since opening, the centre has treated patients from 29 countries, aged 1.5 to 87 years old. The top cancers treated are head and neck, brain, and prostate cancers—conditions where precision truly matters.

For Roda and Ieuan Magat, it wasn’t only the technology that made a difference—it was the people. Among them was Riza Dupo, Senior Principal Radiation Therapist, who guided Ieuan through his Proton Beam Therapy sessions with steady compassion.

A fellow Filipino, Dupo became a source of comfort for both mother and son.

She explained every step, calmed Ieuan’s nerves, and offered quiet reassurance through every session. For Magat, her presence was proof that the Filipino spirit of care remains strong—even far from home.

“Hindi namin naramdaman na mag-isa kami dito,” Magat said. “Parang pamilya na rin talaga.”

Dreams beyond darkness

Every morning, Ieuan would ask, “Mommy, magpo-proton po ba ako bukas?” until one day, he smiled wide and said, “Mommy, last na ngayon ha? Makakauwi na tayo sa La Union!”

Now that his treatment is done, he looks forward to returning home, seeing his younger siblings, and—more than anything—going back to school. Even after losing his sight, his dream has never changed.

“Gagawa ako ng images ni Lord Jesus at ni Mama Mary,” he once told his mother. Ieuan wants to become a sculptor, inspired by his deep faith and love for religious figures.

For Magat, that dream is more than art. It is proof that even in darkness, her son continues to see — not with his eyes, but with faith.

Care, compassion, and a new beginning

As they prepared to return to the Philippines (at the time of this interview), Magat felt nothing but gratitude—for the doctors, nurses, and staff who treated them with such kindness; for the Filipino community in Singapore who sent home-cooked meals; and for the hospital that gave her son a chance at life beyond illness.

At Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore, care goes beyond medicine. It is compassion in action—a reflection of the belief that every patient deserves not only healing, but hope.

For families like the Magats, that is truly Care. For Good.

Proton Beam Therapy at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore

The Proton Therapy Centre at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore that opened in May 2023 is the country’s first. Singapore is one of only two countries in Southeast Asia offering Proton Beam Therapy.

Proton Beam Therapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment that uses charged particles called protons to precisely target tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

This is especially beneficial for children and patients with cancers near critical organs.

Since its opening, the centre has treated patients from 29 countries, aged 1.5 to 87 years old. The most common cancers treated are head and neck, brain, and prostate cancers.

At Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, every patient’s journey is guided by expert clinicians and a team that embodies both clinical excellence and compassion—true to its promise of Care. For Good.

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Editor's note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring, and educational content created by The Philippine STAR in collaboration with brands like Mount Elizabeth in Singapore.