Racine Ouano Pregunta died on April 12, 2017 at Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines due to osteosarcoma.
Here's the message posted by her sister:
"Let me tell you how Racine prepared her departure.
It was April 12, 2017... Before she informed everyone that she's ready to go. She had these requests: An off- shoulder white dress and a white flowerband. The next day, she asked for something that's Violet, Blue and Mint Green. Then I asked her "Unsa d I na gang?" she replied "Basta kabalo nka ana". The following day.... she said: I want to lay beside Papa. Thus, I said, let me try to achieve your request, consulted Mom about it and she told me: If we can afford to buy the lot beside my father's grave. She practically suggested; what if "ipatong nalang nato sya sa lubnganan sa imu Papa?" And immediately relayed the message to Racine and she answered "it' s fine". She added: "If I die, I want to die BEAUTIFUL." Personally requested for Ate Gladys to do her make- up (who is her personal make- up artist). Today, request fullfilled and there all I see is you, smiling.
Rest in Peace Langga."
Sorry if I cannot translate Cebuano messages. Even if you use Google Translate, these messages cannot be translated accurately because some of these words are shortened into somewhat similar to SMS. Anyway, R.I.P. Cutie
She had the following accounts:
Facebook -
https://www.facebook.com/racine.pregunta.1 &
https://www.facebook.com/racine.kyra
Twitter -
https://twitter.com/racinepregunta (empty)
FURTHER CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS REGARDING RACINE PREGUNTA: She died at home, and not at the hospital. She had her right leg amputated at the hospital I previously mentioned to avoid the cancer spread in November 2016. But in March 2017, her cancer progressed again. Instead of having a chemotherapy, she decided to verbally make her last will "to die beautiful", inspired by the film "Die Beautiful" starring Paolo Ballesteros, before dying at home.
Here's the additional description made by her sister:
Part 1
Racine Ouano Pregunta - she may not became a survivor but she is a fighter.
For her, to die beautiful is her concept not because she doesn't have any hopes of being cancer free thus it is her will to be with family and friends and make out the most of her remaining days. Being amputated was not a hindrance of anything, you could still see how she did her best to live her life to the fullest even after declining chemotherapy. As days passed by, cancer cells did reach her brain and had a tumor, affected her lungs and deteriorated her speech. How did she handle it? No pain killers. A touch from me, kissing her and saying I love you from time to time are my ways to sedate her and it made her feel at ease.
Part 2
Let me share you the most unexpected events after Racine's passing on April 17, 2017. All of these were out of anyone's imagination but indeed, it happened.
It was a sunny afternoon on April 19,2017 when Gladys granted her wish and did Racine's last make-up. All went well that none of us ever thought to see her gloom and smile afterwards. #DieBeautifulAchieved #RequestsFulfilled
Seeing that, I was about to break down but I decided to post something on my sister's FB account of how she planned her funeral. It was meant to simply inform people close to her how prepared she was. In a span of few hours, the said post went viral-- touched the hearts of the readers, shared by many and with thousands of condolences in it. Purely, that was unintentional as I was just expressing my heart out with my friends beside me.
Part 3
As we know, "Die Beautiful" was part of MMFF last year which happens to be one of Racine's loved movies and that's where she got the idea, as her request goes: "If I die, I want to die BEAUTIFUL". It didn't fail.
April 20, 2017 - At our home, last day of her wake.. beautiful flowers were sent tagged as Anonymous but were told that the sender is from Manila with a special note: " YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL -Pao". It became as a guessing game of who could it be and later on, it was confirmed to us who sent it: "Paolo Ballesteros". I was overwhelmed of how Racine touched his heart and made its way to Davao.
I'm thankful for Trending News Portal, Buzz.definitelyfilipino net , Mirror UK and more for the articles you've written about Racine.
To all of our family members/relatives, her ever supportive friends, neighbors, people who became part of her journey etc... Accept my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to you all for being part of Racine 's life having known that she was able to touch a pinch of your hearts.
News videos:
TITLE: UB: Girl who died of cancer and her funeral planned similar to "Die Beautiful", becomes an inspiration
TRANSCRIPTION
Arnold Clavio (anchor): Many are amazed about the story of a girl in Davao that she fulfilled her wishes "to die beautiful." Let's know more about her in the news report by Jay Sabale.
Jay Sabale (reporter): This is the video of Racine Ouano Pregunta after having her right leg amputated last November due to osteosarcoma or bone cancer. Racine was behind the viral Facebook story of "Die Beautiful", which is the movie title of the same name by E.B. Dabarkads Paolo Ballesteros.
Rolyn Ouano Pregunta (Racine's sister): Even if she was amputated, we encouraged her that many of then are in runway. But when I showed the video, she can go back and bounce back. We need more energy.
Jay Sabale (reporter): After Racine was operated, her health gradually improved. The sisters watched the movie together "Die Beautiful", starring E.B. Dabarkads Paolo at Metro Manila Film Festival. In March, Racine's health began to worsen and she always vomited. When she was consulted by a doctor, her cancer progressed to Stage IV. But instead of chemotherapy...
Rolyn Ouano Pregunta (Racine's sister): She said that she was given a second life, that of creation was already a miracle manifested in me. Why should I be given another miracle?
Jay Sabale (reporter): Racine dreamed of returning to modelling and going abroad. But in April, Racine's health continued to worsen, and she told her mother not to cry when she died. She wanted off-shoulder and a headband full of flowers in her casket. Her flowers should be violet, blue, and mint green. On April 17, her friends came and took a picture of her.
Rolyn Ouano Pregunta (Racine's sister): When I clicked it, [it's automatic] because her friend from Leyte took the picture. [Racine] became cold dead.
Jay Sabale (reporter): This was Racine's last breath. She has a will to her make-up artist friend.
Rolyn Ouano Pregunta (Racine's sister): She dreamed that she was receiving a make-up. Even if she thrashed me, I will do her make-up, so that I can sleep well.
Jay Sabale (reporter): In her wake, someone gave violet, blue, and mint green flowers.
Rolyn Ouano Pregunta (Racine's sister): You are beautiful... beautiful... Then, "Pao" "Pao" "Pao". I said it three times. "Paolo Ballesteros", and then my skin hair raised. He really inspired us in our fight that we are happy despite tragic events.
Jay Sabale (reporter): For her family, Racine was a fighter, and she was an inspiration for all.
Rolyn Ouano Pregunta (Racine's sister): I want to reach to all cancer patients and their families that [they should] be strong for the sick. Trust in the Lord. You should believe that we have a God.
Jay Sabale (reporter): This is the "First News" in Davao City. Jay Sabale, reporting.
TRANSCRIPTION
TITLE: 24 Oras: Girl with cancer, requested to emulate Die Beautiful in her funeral
SEGMENT: This is viral!
Vicky Morales (anchor): Many netizens are inspired about a girl in Davao who died of cancer. Her funeral was planned by herself. Jay Sabale, reporting.
Jay Sabale (reporter): "To die beautiful", it was one of 20-year-old Racine Pregunta's last wills to her sister Rolyn. Last year, Racine was hit by osteosarcoma, a type of cancer that starts with the bone. Racine was a model, and studied BA Communication Arts. In case that she would be cured, she wanted to continue them. This was taken last November for Racine, she remained positive even after her
leg was amputated. Her health improved at that time, that regarded it as a miracle. But last March, her health worsened until she told her sister. Racine watched "Die Beautiful". She was inspired of the character Tricia's quotes, played by Paolo Ballesteros. Racine died on April 17.
Rolyn Pregunta (Racine's sister): They started to hug her, that is when I started to cry because she had three reserved breaths.
Jay Sabale (reporter): (to Rolyn) What are those three?
Rolyn Pregunta (Racine's sister): "Pao" (three times), and then she's gone. I told her: "I love you."
Jay Sabale (reporter): Just like her request, she was wearing a white off-shoulder dress and white flower crown. She wanted violet, blue, and mint green flowers, which were her favorite colors. However, Racine's family coudln't afford them. But, they were shocked that someone send them flowers with the said colors, and it has the message "You are beautiful." They knew from an acquaint named Paolo.
Rolyn Pregunta (Racine's sister): He made her wish. Therefore, mission accomplished. She fulfilled her requests.
Jay Sabale (reporter): For her family, Racine was a fighter, and she was an inspiration for all cancer patients. She will be remembered not only by her beauty, but also by her strength.
Racine Pregunta: "Till we meet again, forevermore..."
Jay Sabale (reporter): Jay Sabale, reporting on 24 Oras (24 Hours).