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In 2020, during the pandemic, a 33-year-old single mom from Davao Oriental gave birth to a baby girl. When the baby was handed to her, she and her mother noticed something wasn't right, causing her to wonder for the next four years if her baby had been switched with another at the hospital.

In a previous episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Margie shared that she gave birth to her child "Hamil" (not her real name) at a hospital on March 22, 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After giving birth, Margie didn't immediately see her baby. When the child was finally handed to her, she and her mother noticed the blanket the baby was wrapped in was an old, pink one, instead of the new, blue one that they prepared for the baby.

Her mother, Gina, also noticed that the tag on the baby's clothes was different. They called the attention of a nurse about their observations, but the nurse shrugged them off.

“Nilingon lang ako na parang walang narinig, tapos umalis. Ang sabi ni nanay, 'Aba pinag-tripan lang ito ng nurse o baka dahil lang ito sa suot kasi medyo luma,” Margie recalled.

They decided to brush off the concerns and Margie took the baby home, raising her as her own.

However, as the years passed, Margie's mother, Gina, started wondering why their baby, Hamil, didn't resemble any of them, including Margie.

“Kung sa physical appearance, hindi naman talaga siya resemblance sa amin. Siya maputi, look at our skin, morena; siya singkit kami naman mga fierce look; siya kulot, tapos kami mga straight,” Margie explained.

Eventually, Margie remembered another woman who had given birth at the same hospital around the same time. They started to wonder if there had been a "baby switch," especially after seeing a similar case featured on KMJS.

In May 2024, Margie contacted the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center, and by then, her child was four years old.

After it was revealed that a baby switch might have occurred at the hospital, Margie and Hamil took a DNA test because the family wanted answers.

On August 18, they found out they were not biologically related. “Nalaman namin August 18 na nag-negative kami sa DNA. Therefore, I am not the biological mother of my daughter,” sabi ni Margie. “Umiyak ako na 'yung walang boses na walang tumulong luha. Biglang gumuho ang mundo ko,” Margie said.

The Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center also identified another woman who had given birth at the same time as Margie, just 10 minutes apart.

Esmeralda, 42, lives a simple life with her daughter, “Hazel” (not her real name), who is the same age as Hamil.

Hazel has round eyes, while Esmeralda has narrow eyes. Hazel's hair is thin compared to Esmeralda's thick hair.

“Sinasabi nila na iba ang magulang niya. Sabi ko 'Uy! Magsitahimik kayo riyan, kasi hindi 'yan totoo!” Esmeralda said about Hazel.

“Feel ko na anak ko talaga siya. Sa tingin ko kahawig lang niya ang nanay ko,” Esmeralda insisted.

Then, the hospital contacted Esmeralda last year regarding the possible baby switch with Margie, which shocked her.

At first, Esmeralda was hesitant to do a DNA test and even avoided going to the hospital because she truly believed Hazel was her biological daughter.

The hospital planned to visit Esmeralda's home in December, but due to heavy rains and dangerous roads, they were advised to wait.

However, Margie decided to personally reach out to Esmeralda.

“Pagkakita niya kay Hazel, tumingin siya na parang may lukso raw ng dugo. Umiyak siya nang umiyak. Sabi niya 'Ate, nagpalit talaga raw. Anak ko talaga 'yan!' Parang na-shock ako. Wala akong masabi noon,” Margie shared after meeting Hazel.

Esmeralda also saw a photo of Hamil and noticed similarities in her appearance, like her fair skin and hair texture.

“Napansin ko rin 'yung mata niya, 'yung buhok niya, kutis niya na may pagkaputi siya. Nagulat ako. Tiningnan ko lang siya,” Esmeralda said.

Because of this, Esmeralda was convinced to undergo a DNA test to confirm if Hazel was truly her daughter.

Catch the emotional moment when Margie and Esmeralda finally meet and show their children, Hamil and Hazel, to each other in the KMJS video. Next week, the results of the cross-match DNA testing will be revealed.

What action will the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center take regarding the staff involved if and when it's confirmed that the babies were indeed swapped at birth?

Watch Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho here: