Aeta siblings with rare bone disorder receive aid from GMA Kapuso Foundation

Three Aeta siblings from Pamplona, Cagayan have received medical assistance after their unusual arm and hand conditions caught the attention of the team behind the Kinabukasan Project of the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

According to Mel Tiangco's report in “24 Oras” on Friday, siblings Ina and Ana Catolico were born with arms and hands that developed abnormal lumps and deformities.

Despite their condition, the children remain determined to continue their studies.

When the Kinabukasan Project team visited their home, they learned that Ina and Ana’s sister Ella had similar abnormalities in her arms.

Their father, Jimmy, said he had noticed the condition in his children but could not afford to have them regularly checked because he works as a construction worker.

“Their hands had already changed. I also learned from them that they had fallen from a tree. My eldest has had hands like that since she was born,” he said.

The siblings were later brought to Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center in Luna, Apayao, where they underwent laboratory tests and medical examinations.

“All of them are suffering from severe malnutrition. They mostly share the same conditions—impacted cerumen. They also need dental consultation,” said pediatrician Dr. Charee Grethen Taguba-Ong.

Upon examining their arms, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Giovani Chomenwey pointed at a condition called multiple hereditary exostosis.

"It is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the presence of multiple bony growths,” Chomenwey said.

“There is a fifty percent chance that children will inherit it. We can wait until skeletal maturity is reached before performing the surgery,” he added.

Jimmy expressed gratitude for finally learning more about his children's condition.

However, he also had another request: a motorcycle that could serve as transportation for his children to and from school.

“I hope someone can give me a motorcycle so I can take my children to school. They just walk,” he said.

His wish was eventually granted by the project's sponsor, JC Care Foundation. Aside from groceries, the family also received a motorcycle to help ease the children's daily commute to school.

“Thank you JC Care Foundation. I am very happy, Ma'am, for the help you have given us even though we are poor,” he said.

For those who wish to support GMA Kapuso Foundation projects, donations may be made via Metrobank, Land Bank, BDO, Bank of Commerce, UnionBank, PNB, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Lazada, Shopee, and Palawan Pay.

Visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website for more information. —Jade Veronique Yap/JCB, GMA News