Showbiz Career in the Philippines
Born in Minas Gerais, Brazil, Daiana first set foot in the Philippines in 2006. She fell in love instantly, deciding to move to the country for good the year after, and subsequently starting her showbiz career.
Her first stint in the entertainment industry was at GMA 7’s Eat Bulaga, where she stayed for almost six years before resigning. When asked what roles have been most significant for her over the course of her filmography, she shares that all have been equally important in her personal and professional development.
Some of her most memorable engagements include being a judge for Talentadong Pinoy, because of the impact it had in show business hopefuls. Daiana was also a regular performer in then GMA Sunday show SOP, and starred as the lead actress for a vampire-inspired series on TV entitled My Darling Aswang.
A milestone project she always feels grateful for, on the other hand, was sharing the big screen with Dolphy in the movie, Dobol Trobol. According to Daiana, she remembers feeling to intense kilig upon seeing one of their scenes in the film’s trailer!
As a workaholic, Daiana would take on as many projects as she could. From 2015 to 2017, she found herself in multiple TV shows. During that period, she actively took part in the Celebrity Edition of Deal or No Deal 5 days a week alongside co-stars Arjo Atayde, Yam Concepcion, MJ Lastimosa, Meg Imperial, Dennis Padilla, Bea Santiago, and Ella Cruz among others. Daiana also hosted a fantasy reality show called “The Fiercest of Them All” where she was served as a mentor, host, and acted like a “queen” for some segments in the series.
Her busy lifestyle was abruptly put into a halt in 2018 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer “triple-positive” stage 2B. A sub-type of cancer that has a more complicated tumor.’
Learning About Her Health Condition and Healing From It
Daiana first felt a “lump” on her right breast when she turned 30 in June 2017. She remembers patting around the area and felt that there was a small but hard bump, which she ignored for six months before finally deciding to get an ultrasound in her hopes of starting 2018 strong.
She had nonstop concerts in Dubai that year. And she prioritized her work over getting the biopsy that her doctor requested post-ultrasound. Unfortunately, her hopes for a good result dwindled as soon as she was informed that her results were out, but that she needed to show up for another medical consultation.
Daiana later underwent a lumpectomy. According to Daiana, the whole process felt easy until she woke up hours after the surgery. Upon gaining consciousness, she immediately felt severe pain on the side of her chest near her underarms. As if there was something missing; since the surgeon had extracted the cyst from that zone of her body.
The recovery period was only “scary” for about a year, says Daiana. She struggled most with the emotional side of getting cancer. Namely, “the acceptance.” Nonetheless, “Once you get over that, you’re good to go, then be ready to heal.”
She turned a complete 180 on her lifestyle, as well. She quit alcohol, and started pursuing many natural approaches to self-care such as following a healthier diet as well as weekly IV, psychological therapy, and infrared sauna among others. For her, healing from cancer has become a life-long effort. She believes that it doesn’t simply end “when the tumor is no longer there and removed by surgery.” Rather, one must also heal from within.
“Doctors start the process [of treatment and recovery] and reassure that for you,” but to truly overcome it, one must build their mental and spiritual capacity to be at peace in all aspects of their life. Daiana has been quoted saying “scare cancer before it scares you,” and this is something she continues to have strong conviction towards—to not allow cancer to manifest in one’s body.
Living a Life of Positivity, Forgiveness, and Peace
Since surviving cancer, Daiana considers herself better than ever. “I am an improved version of myself,” while still having a lot she wants to achieve in her journey of healing. “I feel like we do not have enough time to do all the good things we are meant to do here [on this Earth],” hence Daiana makes it a point to maximize each and every day.
Beyond her health predicament, Daiana has also had her fair share of heartaches. “It doesn’t look like it, because I am good at taking things lightly.” And it’s all these experiences that contribute to her positive perception of life now. A big practice she has abided by include the science of epigenetics. “Energy is real. Healing is possible.”
She also finds herself choosing her circles more wisely, because “who you surround yourself with matters.” Which is related to a value that she prides herself in having: a high Emotional Quotient (EQ). “Not sure about IQ,” she jokes! “Having high emotional intelligence makes you discern and distinguish what you should or should not be doing,” and she has applied this in her daily habits and routines so far. Even as she moves on from one lesson to another; with people who are important to her. “I don’t waste any minute, I cherish every moment.”
Some of her plans to further inspire others include possibly writing a book or producing an online series featuring her life story. With hopes that her story of courage can help provide optimism for those who are in similar plights as she was.
On New Breakthroughs
As Daiana has evolved in self-amelioration and maturity, she has realized that her kind of ‘breakthroughs’ in career and in life has also shifted in definition. In her showbiz career for example, “I am choosing and even creating roles. I am also feeling more respected when it comes to loving myself.”
She also recognizes that the peak of her popularity was during the noontime show, Eat Bulaga. While that was the breakthrough of her entry into the local showbiz industry, she feels her current presence on social media is relevant enough to help her attract the different opportunities she is able to grasp continuously and consistently.
Now that she is cancer free, she has a newfound appreciation for time and life. “I feel like it is understanding that you’re free from any disease when you find balance.” She mentions the need to have a “strong mind” not just physically but also mentally. “I got cancer on its first alarm, and now it’s up to me to be totally free from it.”
Word of the Year and Beyond
Halfway through the year, her word for 2021 is HEAL. “The wound is the place where the light enters.” Because of her life threatening experience, she has found her calling—her role and place in the lives of others.
Her main advocacy now is to speak about her journey. “I want to use my blessing of influence” to teach people how to heal, which also comprises educating them about epigenetics and conscious parenting.
Thus Daiana’s life mantra, “Change your energy, change your life.”
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