Siblings with congenital cataract undergo surgery through GMA Kapuso Foundation

Three of four siblings with congenital cataract have undergone surgery through the GMA Kapuso Foundation, with the fourth sibling now preparing for the same procedure. 

According to Mel Tiangco’s report on “24 Oras,” Wednesday, Danilo Villagracia and four of his seven children were born with cataracts.

Danilo and his three children were among those who received assistance from the Kapuso Foundation through their Cataract Surgery Project in July 2025. However, the medical doctor said that Danilo could no longer undergo surgery.

“‘Yung kanyang cataract kasi ay may kasama na rin kasing involuntary movements oh ‘yung tinatawag nating nystagmus,” explained ophthalmologist and vitreo-retinal surgeon Dr. Carlo Nasol. .

“‘Yung pinaka-nerve ng mata ay mahina na rin. ‘Yung combination ng dalawang ‘yon ang nagbibigay sa atin ng lesser chance of a good vision,” he added.

Per Danilo, he did not want to risk his health, knowing that his family, especially his children, depend on him.

“Ayaw kong ipaglaban ‘yung 50/50 mas gusto ko ‘yung nakakakita pa kasi ‘yung mga anak ko kawawa pagkadating ng oras na di na ako makakita, di na sila makakapag-aral,” he said.

Meanwhile, Danilo's three children, Harvey, Mae, and Dindin, have successfully passed a series of laboratory tests and underwent surgery with the support of the GMA Kapuso Foundation and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Inc.

“Tinanggal natin ‘yung lense material na nag-opacify na nakaharang sa paningin nila. Tapos nilagayan natin ng intra-occular lense,” said pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Catherine Macaraig.

Months after their surgeries, Mae and Dindin are now doing well. Their older brother, Harvey, has since started working.

“Masaya po. Nakakabasa na po ako nang mabuti,” Dindin said.

“Maraming salamat po sa GMA at sa Tzu Chi,” Mae added. 

Their other sibling, Iris, on the other hand, is now preparing for her upcoming cataract surgery.

For those who wish to support GMA Kapuso Foundation's projects, donations may be made via Metrobank, Land Bank, BDO, Bank of Commerce, UnionBank, PNB, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Lazada, and Shopee. Visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website for more information.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News