“Damdaming Walang Mukha" (Documentary by Sandra Aguinaldo)

Episode on October 4, 2010 Monday after Saksi! A smile can be a warm greeting and a welcome. It is the most basic of human facial expressions that show happiness. This simple movement of the facial muscles, often taken for granted, has the ability to paint a personality, aid in medical diagnosis, and build social skills. Without it, a person may appear dull and unapproachable. Such is the dilemma of some individuals with Moebius Syndrome, of which facial paralysis is a distinct symptom. Moebius Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that affects less than 2,000 people in the world. Here in the Philippines , it is even rarer to find people with this condition. Being born with clubbed feet, crossed eyes, difficulty in swallowing and speaking has made individuals with Moebius Syndrome and their families open to ridicule and taunting. But despite this, patients have developed a strong bond, relying on each other for care and support. Often, it is the family members’ faces that reflect the smile that is invisible to others. When asked how he shows his happiness, Paolo, a 17 year-old boy with Moebius Syndrome says, “I smile from the inside". This Monday on I-Witness, Sandra Aguinaldo gets to know the handful of individuals living with Moebius Syndrome and their families-- sharing their stories of hope and teaching us how to be joyous, even without a smile.

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Ang magpakita ng tuwa sa pamamagitan ng ngiti ay isang bagay na pangkaraniwan lang sa atin. Pero para sa 2,000 tao sa mundo na may Moebius Syndrome, ang magpakita ng kasiyahan sa kanilang mukha ay isang pangarap lamang. Sa Pilipinas, kakaunti pa lang ang naitatalang kaso nito. Ang Moebius Syndrome ay isang natatanging neurological disorder na nakaaapekto sa kakayanang ngumiti, sumimangot, at magpakita ng emosyon sa mukha. Facial paralysis kasi ang isa sa pangunahin nitong sintomas. Karaniwang ang mga magulang at pamilya ng pasyenteng may Moebius Syndrome ang nagpapakita ng tuwa at emosyon ng kanilang mga anak at kapamilya. Ngayong Lunes sa I-Witness, kikilalanin ni Sandra Aguinaldo ang mga indibidwal na may Moebius Syndrome. Mapapanood ang "Damdaming Walang Mukha" ngayong Lunes, ika-4 ng Oktubre pagkatapos ng Saksi.