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A 50-year-old lantern maker from Pampanga, named Ponciano “Apon” Garcia, had lived most of his life with pain on his gradually twisting knees and tilted spine.

His family started noticing changes in Apon's body when he was 10 years old. His chest started protruding and his legs didn't seem to grow longer. Hence the moniker “Taong Bibe.”

This prompted bullying from his classmates, which later on became the reason why Apon stopped going to school.

Apon had never consulted a doctor, reason why he and his family never found out what his real condition was.

But with the help of Tunay na Buhay, Apon was finally properly examined by a specialist. After a thorough examination, his X-ray and CT Scan results revealed that Apon has a condition called Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis and its cause is yet to be determined.

“Hindi siya congenital kasi hindi naman nangyari itong problema at depormidad niya pagkapanganak,” says Dr. Joseph Rylan Flores, the Orthopaedic Surgeon who examined Apon.

The good news is Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis has permanent solutions. Apon has the option to either undergo reconstructive surgery on his knees or use leg braces and crutches.

Dr. Flores further lifted Apon's spirit with motivating advice, “Huwag mong hayaan na ang depormidad ay maging hadlang sa mga gusto mong gawin.”

Hopefully, the quality of Apon's life would steadily improve, now that he and his family finally learned of his true condition and the treatment options for it. And may his future be as bright as the lanterns he creates.