What is the mysterious illness plaguing these three brothers?

The Labrador brothers from Sultan Kudarat are dealing with a mysterious illness that has resulted in one of them canceling his wedding, and the other, separating from his wife.

On Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, we learned that Bobong, Marlon, and Elizer have been unable to control their bodily movements. They would suddenly stiffen, sometimes, they would shake uncontrollably, sometimes, their heads would even jerk.

The first of the brothers who fell ill was Bobong, the eldest. It all started with a simple back pain, which worsened to the sudden stiffening of his body. It’s gotten so bad that his tongue is now drooping out of his mouth. He has lost his ability to speak, and soon after, his wife left him.

Of the three brothers, Elizer has it the worst. In 2015, he only felt a different kind of body pain, similar to what patients with influenza would feel. And much like the flu, his tonsils felt awful.

After a tonsil operation, his health deteriorated. He couldn’t move his fingers, his toes, and then his legs. He seems to be perennially looking up, a result of a stiffened neck. He needs help to get down from his bed, to eat, and even to swallow. They can’t leave him alone because he might break his appendages.

Marlon is also afflicted with the mysterious illness. The third of the three brothers  — and the fourth of the Labrador clan — Marlon’s condition started with an uncontrollable shaking of his hands and feet. And then the “influenza-like” symptoms hit him.

Despite their condition, the three brothers continue to try and live normal lives. They wash their clothes, take care of their kids — they even continue to work the fields.

According to Dr. Alfand Marl Dy Closas, a neurologist, the three brothers have the X-Linked Dystonia Parkinsonism or XDP. It’s a genetic disorder resulting from a mutation of one gene in the x-chromosome.

“Yung dystonia part, yun yung involuntary movement nung paa or buong katawan na pwede mag-assume ng abnormal postures. 'Yung parkinsonism, sintomas na kamukha ng Parkinson's disease [Their dystonia causes involuntary movements in their feet and whole body. While the parkinsonism has symptoms akin to Parkinson's disease],” Dr. Closas said.

As long as one of the parents is a carrier of the disease, there is a 50% chance he or she will pass it on to their kids, the doctor continues.

XDP doesn’t have a cure. “The best that we can do is supportive care,” Dr. Closas adds.

XDP is a common ailment among men in Panay island, and unfortunately, the Labradors are able to trace their roots to Visayas.

Despite their condition, their love for each other is what makes them stronger. All the world may leave them, but they always have each other’s back.

If anybody wants to help the Labrador siblings:

BDO ACCOUNT NAME: Mylen P. Labrador
BDO ACCOUNT NUMBER: 000520311558
BDO Sta. Monica, Novaliches Branch

— LA, GMA News