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The case of a 17-year-old from Roxas, Palawan with strange compulsions has concerned her family and local doctors alike.
"Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho" on Sunday introduced ‘Aurora,’ who has been relentlessly biting and chewing anything she gets her hands on, including clothes and other fabric, as well as their house’s floors and walls.
“Kahit dingding, kahit damit, kahit kumot, kahit kulambo ngatngat nang ngatngat. ‘Yung mga sahig na ‘yan na tabla, gawa niya ‘yan ‘pag nagwawala siya, tinutuklap niya,” Marialyn, ‘Aurora’s’ mother said.
[“She keeps on biting everything— our walls, clothes, blankets, even the mosquito nets. Those damaged wooden floors? That’s her doing. When she acts out, she peels them off.”]
“Bilang isang magulang, matiis mo ba ‘yan makita mo ang anak mong ganyan? Kulang na lang itali mo ang buong katawan ng bulumbon ng tali para makita mo lang na safety,” she added.
["As a parent, can you bear to see your child like that? At times, you’d feel like wrapping their whole body in rope just to keep them safe."]
According to ‘Aurora’s’ brother Ethan, the holes in their home were a result of her attempts to escape.
It has gotten to the point where they no longer clean up the traces of what his sister eats.
Due to her compulsion to eat everything she touches, her family regretfully had to tie her up. She fights against her restraints, causing the rope to wound her skin.
Just last Monday in the early morning, ‘Aurora’ broke free from her ties and bit through a sack.
Caring for Aurora
Ethan said their world changed when ‘Aurora’ started acting differently.
He said they used to play together, "Nag-iikut-ikutan, naghahabul-habulan po, nagtatago-taguan."
["They run around in circles, chase each other, and play hide-and-seek.”]
“Nu’ng umpisa ng naging sakit niya, nagbago na po siya. Masakit sa akin ‘yung si ate hindi makalaro gaya ng ibang bata kasi ‘yung ate ko, ganyan," Ethan added.
["When her illness began, she changed. It hurts me that my older sister can't play like other kids— because she’s not like them anymore."]
He shared that he takes care of ‘Aurora’ by warming water and bathing her. He added that she does not like wearing clothes. For her to not get cold, the family has to force her to put on a blanket. And since her hands are tied, Ethan is the one who feeds ‘Aurora’.
Ethan could not help but feel sorry for his sister.
Despite this, Ethan still goes to school every day. He only gets ready for class after caring for his sister. This results in him being late.
His teacher Erlyn Lagrosa said, “Araw-araw siyang late kasi meron pa siyang responsibilidad na dapat gampanan sa bahay nila bago siya magpunta dito sa school.”
[“He's usually late every day because he has responsibilities at home that he needs to take care of before coming to school."]
“Huwag siyang magsasawa sa pag-aalaga sa kapatid niya. Basta huwag niya lang pabayaan ‘yung kanyang pag-aaral,” she added.
["I hope he doesn't grow weary of taking care of his sibling, and that he doesn’t neglect his studies."]
Ethan said he continues schooling despite the responsibilities as he dreams of being a doctor.
“Para makatulong din ako sa maraming tao. Gusto ko rin mapagaling si ate. Sabi niya daw ‘pag gumaling daw siya magiging isang doktor daw siya,” he said.
["I want to become a doctor so I can help many people. I also want my older sister to get better— she once said that if she recovers, she’ll become a doctor too."]
What happened to Aurora?
‘Aurora’ is the eldest of two children of Marialyn and her first husband Jy-Ar.
Marialyn claims that Jy-Ar physically abused their daughter.
With help from a neighbor, Marialyn was able to escape. However, the two kids stayed with him.
Marialyn continued working and eventually met her new partner, Dionvie. They welcomed two kids, one of whom is Ethan. Marialyn then took ‘Aurora’ from Jy-Ar's care.
‘Aurora’ was once a cheerful child, but turned quiet, often staring into space. The family slowly noticed her lose herself.
“Tumutulo ‘yung laway niya tapos nakaganyan. Tapos ‘pag makakita po ng lalaki, bigla po siyang magsigaw, parang takot na takot,” Marialyn said.
["Her saliva drips, and when she sees a man, she suddenly screams— like she’s absolutely terrified.”]
“KMJS” reached out to Jy-Ar, who lives in Puerto Princesa City. He denied that he abused his child.
“Hindi naman ‘yan totoo. Hindi rin naabuso. Kasi naaruga ko rin ang bata. Saka araw-araw din ‘yan inaasikaso ko,” he said.
["That's not true. She wasn't abused. I helped take care of her— I attend to her every day."]
Jy-Ar added that it has been five years since he heard news about ‘Aurora’ and Marialyn.
Seeing a new photo ‘Aurora’, he exclaimed, “Hala ka! Hala! Ang payat niya na. Hindi po ako makapaniwala kasi kinuha niya sa akin ito, ang sabi niya—nangako siya sa batas na alagaan niya. Tapos makikita ko ganito na ang sitwasyon niya.”
[“She's so thin now. I can't believe it— she took her from me and promised she would take care of her. And now, seeing her like this."]
He also said he wants to see ‘Aurora’, but Marialyn declined.
Help for Aurora
The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Council in Roxas reached out to help ‘Aurora’. They provided comfortable beddings and groceries.
Meanwhile, they gave Ethan a full scholarship until college.
‘Aurora’ was also visited by their local health officer, Dr. Lei Parreño. Since the house was difficult to get into, they dressed up the teen and put her on a stretcher to have the check-up inside an ambulance.
She said ‘Aurora’ is malnourished, lacking the necessary nutrition needed in a day.
She added that it is important for ‘Aurora’ to have a pediatrician and psychiatrist check-ups at the mental health facility of the Ospital ng Palawan in Puerto Princesa City, which is a three-hour ride from Roxas. If ever Aurora is brought back to the community, she needs the proper health support for her nutritional build-up.
Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) Senior Science Research Specialist said that based on surveys, two out of ten adolescents are stunted.
“Ang mga pamilya po na may problema sa kalusugan, maaari po silang pumunta sa mga health facilities sa kani-kanilang mga barangay,” she said.
["Families with health problems can go to the health facilities in their respective barangays."]
Margie Taclobao-Francia, Medical Officer III/Pediatrician said they are considering ‘Aurora’ has possible psychosis and needs to be confined to be stabilized.
A psychiatrist added that ‘Aurora’ has three mental health conditions. First is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning that her capabilities do not match her age.
Secondly, she has disorganized behavior and disorganized speech, which is under the schizophrenia spectrum disorder. ‘Aurora’ also has a possible eating disorder called pica.
“Ang pica po ay ang pagkain ng mga bagay na hindi akmang pagkain, kagaya ng lupa, papel, kumot, at iba pang bagay na walang nutritional value sa katawan ng isang bata,” she said.
["Pica is the act of eating things that are not meant to be food, like soil, paper, blankets, and other items that have no nutritional value for a child's body."]
Psychiatrist Randy Dellosa added that the response to ‘Aurora’s’ condition should not be getting tied up.
“Ang unang response ay siyempre dalhin sa doktor para ma-evaluate siya nang mabuti,” he said.
["The first response should always be to take her to a doctor for a proper evaluation.”]
“Isang reason kaya nagpapatuloy itong siguro pagtatali ng mga taong may mental health conditions ay unang-una, ignorance. Isa pa is poverty. Mahirap na nga sila, hindi pa nila alam kung ano ‘yung nangyayari. Hindi naman masama ‘yung intensyon nila pero 'yun talaga ‘yung alam nilang puwedeng gawin para matulungan siya,” he added.
["One reason why people with mental health conditions are still tied up is, first and foremost, ignorance. Another reason is poverty. They’re already struggling financially and don’t fully understand what’s happening. Their intentions aren’t bad; they just believe that’s the only way they can help."]
After more than a week inside the hospital, ‘Aurora’ was allowed to go home by doctors and to recover there.
“Hindi na po siya namin itatali kasi babantayan na po siya namin. Humihingi kami ng tulong para tuluyan gumaling yung anak ko,” Marialyn shared.
["We won't tie her up anymore because we will keep a close watch on her now. We’re asking for help so that my child can fully recover."]
For those who want to help ‘Aurora,’ please deposit to:
LANDBANK PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN
ACCOUNT NAME: MARIA LYN B. DIOCADES
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0466 446130
—JCB, GMA Integrated News
