After turning heads at the Bench Body of Work fashion show, Sunshine Cruz opened up about a personal battle she has been facing — her recent diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that affects muscle strength.
In an Instagram post, the actress shared how the illness posed challenges in her preparation for the event.
"It's been a real roller coaster these past months. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called myasthenia gravis, which has made building muscle a real struggle. But I'm so thankful for the strength I've found," she wrote.
According to the Mayo Clinic, myasthenia gravis causes muscles under voluntary control to weaken and fatigue quickly. The condition is more common in women over 40 and men above 60. While there is no cure, treatments can help manage its symptoms.
Despite her diagnosis, Cruz, 47, showed no signs of weakness as she confidently strutted down the runway in a red two-piece swimsuit, proving that resilience and determination can overcome any obstacle.
"Walking for Bench was a powerful reminder of what's possible even when things are tough," she added.
She also dedicated her post to fellow mothers and Generation X members, encouraging them to continue pursuing their dreams.
"To all my fellow moms and Gen Xers, never give up on your dreams," she wrote.
Cruz expressed her gratitude to her fitness coach, Iya Ruff, who helped her prepare for the fashion show. Ruff later shared a video of Cruz’s ramp walk, captioning it, "Temperature rising. Our hard work paid off."
She also extended her thanks to Bench owner Ben Chan for making her dream a reality.
"Thank you, Sir @bcbench, for making mine a reality. I'm so honored to be part of the Bench family. The show was incredible. Everyone was amazing!"
Aside from her runway moment, Cruz recently made headlines when she shared a cozy photo with her rumored boyfriend, Atong Ang, during a helicopter ride.