Aired (November 9, 2006): This is the story of Gerardo (Joel Torre) and Thelma (Cherry Pie Picache), how they raised their children with special needs, and how they faced the judgment of other people.
Cast: Joel Torre, Cherry Pie Picache, Angelo Ilagan, Martin Delos Santos, Susan Lemon, Renford Alano, Julius Gomez, Joshua Burac, Michael Pequit, Susan Robles-Tongco, Chiqui Del Carmen
Watch ‘Magpakailanman,’ every Saturday evening on GMA Network, hosted by Ms. Mel Tiangco. Included in the cast for this episode “Pag-Ahon Mula Sa Putikan - The Shine Mariquit Story ” are Joyce Jimenez, Alicia Alonzo, Michael De Mesa, Carmi Martin, Encar Benedicto, Gian Carlo, and Dang Amistad. #MPK #Magpakailanman
Cast: Joel Torre, Cherry Pie Picache, Angelo Ilagan, Martin Delos Santos, Susan Lemon, Renford Alano, Julius Gomez, Joshua Burac, Michael Pequit, Susan Robles-Tongco, Chiqui Del Carmen
Watch ‘Magpakailanman,’ every Saturday evening on GMA Network, hosted by Ms. Mel Tiangco. Included in the cast for this episode “Pag-Ahon Mula Sa Putikan - The Shine Mariquit Story ” are Joyce Jimenez, Alicia Alonzo, Michael De Mesa, Carmi Martin, Encar Benedicto, Gian Carlo, and Dang Amistad. #MPK #Magpakailanman
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FunTranscript
00:00If we don't have differences, why do all of us have differences?
00:04I didn't want us to have children.
00:06Because both of us have differences.
00:08You're the only one I can rely on.
00:10Can't you do it?
00:11I still accepted them because they came from me.
00:14Because I'm their mother.
00:15Even if we have differences,
00:17maybe we're not meant for each other.
00:31How is the life of a father who has an autistic son?
00:35How is the life of a mother who has a Mongolian son?
00:40And how does a child who has older siblings feel
00:45when they're done thinking?
00:47How does the world revolve around a family
00:50that has not just one,
00:53but two special children in their family?
00:59My dear viewers,
01:01join me in listening to the unique and emotional story
01:06of the love and care of the Estrella family.
01:12Hey!
01:13How are you, Mrs. Ko?
01:14I brought you ice cream.
01:16Wow, thank you!
01:19You know, Gerardo, I've been thinking all day.
01:23We're so lucky because I got pregnant.
01:27And the doctor said that I should rest more.
01:33You always rest at home.
01:36Come here.
01:37Why?
01:38Come here.
01:39Come here.
01:40Leave that.
01:41Come here.
01:43Let's dance.
01:45I don't want to dance.
01:46There's no music.
01:48Do you need music to dance?
01:51Let's just imagine there's music.
01:53I want you to dance.
01:55You're my family.
02:04Why?
02:05I'm tired.
02:09I hope our son will be a man.
02:12Like me?
02:13I hope he'll be like you.
02:16I want him to be handsome,
02:18smart,
02:20kind,
02:22and obedient.
02:25I want him to be a basketball player.
02:29My brother, Edward, was born on May 2, 1986.
02:35Mom and Dad were very happy.
02:38Mom had an ovary.
02:41So they thought they wouldn't have a baby.
02:45But there was something special about Edward.
02:50Edward.
02:52Don't go there.
02:55Don't turn around.
02:56You might get hurt.
02:58I'll stay here.
03:20Edward?
03:22Edward!
03:26What happened?
03:28What happened?
03:29What happened?
03:31What happened?
03:34Are you hurt?
03:36Are you hurt?
03:38We'll take you to the hospital.
03:40It's a matter of life and death.
03:42We'll take you to the hospital.
03:43It's a matter of life and death.
03:49Is our son okay?
03:51There's no sprain or fracture.
03:55In fact, he's strong.
03:58Thank God.
03:59But there's something I need to tell you.
04:04We did some tests on your child.
04:07And we found out that your child is autistic.
04:15What do you mean, Doc?
04:17He has a developmental disability.
04:22It hinders the development and processing of information in his brain.
04:29And this is the cause of the problem.
04:32The problem of the child.
04:34Communication, learning, and social behavior.
04:40Doc, we came here to see if there's a difference in our child's body.
04:44And you're telling us that his brain is different?
04:47I'm very sorry.
04:50But those are findings.
04:52But those are findings.
05:01Why are you taking so long?
05:03Where's Edward?
05:05There's one more test missing.
05:09They're saying that the child is crazy.
05:11They're saying that the child is crazy.
05:13He's crazy.
05:15He's crazy.
05:17He's crazy.
05:18What did the doctor say?
05:21That doctor is talking nonsense.
05:25Jerry, the doctors are already saying that next week there will be a British doctor here who is an expert on autism.
05:40Why do you believe them?
05:42They said that you won't have a child.
05:45But you have a child.
05:47And they will say that there is a difference in my child's brain.
05:51I will come back here next week.
05:54They might be able to help us.
05:57I don't have an abnormal child.
06:12Are you really not going to stop? Let's just help Edward grow up.
06:24Because this is my help, I will leave so that Edward can continue his therapy.
06:32Edward, Papa is leaving. Bye Papa.
06:44Bye Papa!
06:48I'm going to sleep.
06:49I'm going to sleep.
06:52Before Papa left to work, they agreed that Mama will have a baby again.
07:00That's why Brother Gerard was born while Papa was abroad.
07:07Our baby is normal. Yes, it's a seven-pound baby boy.
07:11And I was accompanied by Sister Ludie.
07:14Really? Who do you look like?
07:15I can't tell you yet.
07:18Sister Ludie is taking care of the baby up there.
07:21Thelma!
07:23Sister, what's wrong?
07:25The baby is having a seizure.
07:28Let's go to the hospital.
07:30Thelma!
07:32What happened?
07:34Thelma!
07:36Thelma!
07:38What happened?
07:40Thelma!
07:42Thelma!
07:46Doctor, how is my baby?
07:49Well, Mrs. Estrella, your baby is okay.
07:52He just needs to undergo an observation.
07:55Any time, seizures may occur and it's a 50-50 chance.
08:02Doctor, why is my baby having a seizure?
08:05Your baby has Down syndrome.
08:09Mongoloid babies have very small lungs.
08:13Mongoloid?
08:16Do you know what you're talking about?
08:21Doctor,
08:25my name is Edward Bautistic.
08:30You're telling me now that my second child is Mongoloid?
08:35How did that happen?
08:37I'm very sorry.
08:39No, Doctor.
08:41I'm very sorry.
08:42You can't just say sorry.
08:45What am I going to tell my husband?
08:47His two children have Down syndrome.
08:49I can't do anything.
08:52I'm sorry.
08:55I'm very sorry.
09:12I'm sorry.
09:42I don't want that. I don't want that.
09:44This is for you.
09:46I don't want that. I don't want that.
09:59I named him after you.
10:03His name is Gerald.
10:06He was in the hospital for a few months.
10:08He was just 50 years old.
10:11But kids with Down syndrome are like that.
10:16They often get sick.
10:18But now, he's okay.
10:20Why are our children like this?
10:24Where did I go wrong?
10:28I don't know, but it seems like there's something wrong with us.
10:31Gerardo, there's nothing wrong with us.
10:34If there's nothing wrong with us,
10:36why are our children all wrong?
10:39If we don't have a difference,
10:41why do all of us have a difference?
10:46But they're still our children.
10:50They're not wrong because they're our children.
10:54They're your children.
10:58I don't have a child.
11:00I don't have a child.
11:02I haven't done anything for the rest of my life
11:05if I don't think about how you're going to live.
11:10How are you going to give birth to a good family?
11:15You're going to give me a good child,
11:17and you can't do that?
11:22I didn't want to have a child
11:24that would have a difference.
11:32But even so,
11:37I still accepted them because they came from me.
11:42Because I'm their mother.
11:50Maybe one of us has a difference.
11:55Maybe it's not just our children.
12:02Maybe,
12:04even if we have a difference,
12:10maybe we're not meant for each other.
12:31Maybe we're not meant for each other.
12:56Mama and Papa are not the same as before.
13:00But they still helped me raise my two siblings.
13:06Because they're not easy to take care of.
13:09They're more stubborn than an ordinary child.
13:29Because they're not easy to take care of.
13:32Because they're not ordinary children.
13:59Go up!
14:01Go up!
14:03Go up!
14:05Go up!
14:07Why are they here?
14:09The kids are having fun.
14:11And they know each other.
14:13They are their relatives.
14:15Go up!
14:17Go up!
14:19Go up!
14:21Go up!
14:23Go up!
14:25Go up!
14:27Go up!
14:29Go up!
14:41Your kids are having fun.
14:43Let's go home.
14:49Yes, Jelai.
14:51Don't worry.
14:53Your brother is sleeping.
14:57Let's go.
15:05Are you pregnant again?
15:09Tell me.
15:11What are you doing?
15:13It's not in the plan.
15:15What can I do?
15:17It's already here.
15:19It's up to me.
15:21It's up to you?
15:23It's up to you
15:25because it's abnormal.
15:27It's not good news
15:29for them
15:31that Mama will give birth to me.
15:33That's why I was born.
15:39Thelma.
15:43Look at this baby.
15:45Your baby is so cute.
15:47Look at it.
15:49Take it to the nursery.
15:51What will happen to the baby
15:53if you don't take care of it?
15:55Come on, Thelma.
15:57Don't say that.
15:59The doctor said
16:01your baby is normal.
16:05That's what Edward and Gerard
16:07told me.
16:13If you want, you can take it home.
16:15You take care of it.
16:19Thelma.
16:23Come on, Thelma.
16:25I want you to be quiet.
16:29One year ago,
16:31I moved in with Aunt Ludi.
16:33After my observation,
16:35I found out
16:37that I was a normal child.
16:39That's why I moved in
16:41with Mama and Papa.
16:43I grew up with them,
16:45Edward and Gerard.
16:47Sometimes,
16:49I was their bodyguard.
16:53You're the one who raised
16:55the baby.
16:57Go home!
16:59Why are you standing there?
17:01Go home!
17:03You,
17:05why are you fighting?
17:07Because
17:09they're pointing at Dico.
17:11They're saying
17:13he's abnormal.
17:15Let it go.
17:17Take your slippers.
17:19That's enough.
17:21What happened to you?
17:27What's this?
17:29Where did you get it?
17:31Come here.
17:39Hey!
17:41What did you do to my son?
17:43Huh?
17:45I thought he didn't feel anything.
17:47Isn't that abnormal?
17:49What's abnormal?
17:51Do you think
17:53it's normal for you to
17:55give birth to a child
17:57and stay here all day?
17:59You know I won't let you go.
18:01You won't let me go?
18:03Huh?
18:05You won't let me go?
18:07Huh?
18:11What happened?
18:13You lost your son.
18:15You're crazy.
18:17You guys,
18:19let's go home.
18:21Let's go home.
18:23Okay, Ma.
18:33Gerardo and Thelma were very happy
18:35when they gave birth
18:37to their third child.
18:39Unlike Edward and Gerard,
18:41Jerty's thinking was normal.
18:43When the siblings
18:45grew up,
18:47Jerty became a defender
18:49of his brothers
18:51because they were often beaten.
18:53It wasn't easy
18:55for Jerty because
18:57aside from fighting a lot,
18:59he was also old.
19:01He felt that he had
19:03a huge responsibility.
19:05Dico,
19:07that's mine.
19:09You have yours.
19:11That's mine.
19:13That's mine.
19:15That's mine.
19:17That's mine.
19:19That's mine.
19:21What is that?
19:23Hey, that's enough.
19:25What is it, son?
19:27It's just a pencil.
19:29You didn't give it to me.
19:31I can use it
19:33when I'm done.
19:35Son,
19:37didn't I tell you
19:39not to give it to Dico?
19:41You know their situation, right?
19:43Come on.
19:57Brother,
19:59don't throw it away.
20:01Brother,
20:03come on.
20:05Brother, don't throw it away.
20:07Brother!
20:09Jerty, that's enough.
20:23Hey, I'll join you.
20:25Let's go home.
20:27Why are you going home?
20:29My classmates said
20:31that your brother is crazy.
20:33He's not crazy. He's just retarded.
20:35If you don't want to play with me,
20:37then don't.
20:39All of you will die.
20:41Even your mom and dad.
20:43All of you will die.
20:45Jerty, why are you talking to them like that?
20:47You shouldn't have said that.
20:49Apologize to them.
21:01That's mine.
21:03That's mine.
21:05That's mine.
21:07That's mine.
21:09That's mine.
21:11That's enough, Jerty.
21:13Look at your siblings.
21:15I'm cooking inside.
21:17That's mine.
21:19Brother,
21:21let's play with Dico.
21:23Let's not fight.
21:25I don't want to.
21:27He's still weak.
21:29That's mine.
21:31I don't want to.
21:33Brother, please.
21:53What's wrong?
21:55What are you doing?
21:57I'm sorry.
22:01I'm sorry.
22:07If you didn't fight with your brother,
22:09he wouldn't have run away.
22:11Look at what happened.
22:13Son, I told you
22:15to always think about your siblings' condition.
22:19I always think about them.
22:21I always put them first.
22:23But I'm always wrong.
22:25I'm always at fault.
22:31Jerty?
22:35Calm down. What happened?
22:37Your son
22:39fell into the well.
22:43Go inside.
22:45Go inside.
23:01Go inside.
23:07Son,
23:11what's the problem?
23:13Dad,
23:15why did you do that?
23:19I tried to protect them,
23:21but they kept fighting with me.
23:25And Mama,
23:27I followed
23:29what she told me.
23:33But she's still
23:35mad at me.
23:41Jerty,
23:45remember that
23:47your siblings are special children.
23:51You understand them better.
23:53If someone
23:55understands you better,
23:57that's what you should give.
24:01Sometimes,
24:03they go overboard.
24:05And
24:07I'm the only one
24:09who understands them.
24:13When will they
24:15understand me?
24:23I don't know.
24:43Your other son is already answering me.
24:47Jerty,
24:49how can he not answer you?
24:51He doesn't want to talk to you.
24:53But how?
24:55He needs to think about his siblings.
24:59Your son is already affected by his siblings.
25:03What do you want me to do?
25:05Should I send my psychiatrist to Jerty?
25:13Why not?
25:17Maybe it's the wrong way to raise him.
25:21I don't know.
25:23I don't know.
25:25I don't know.
25:27I don't know.
25:29I don't know.
25:31I don't know.
25:33I don't know.
25:35I don't know.
25:37I don't know.
25:39I don't know.
25:41I don't know.
25:43I don't know.
25:45I don't know.
25:47I don't know.
25:49I don't know.
25:55I don't know.
25:59I don't want to live here!
26:01I don't want to live here!
26:03I don't want to live here!
26:05I don't want to live here!
26:11Based on the results
26:13that we got from Jerty,
26:15we found out
26:17The child is angry with the world.
26:21She has a lot of pent-up emotions.
26:25And the child is full of angst.
26:30Why did you do that, doctor?
26:35Remember that Joltee is still a child.
26:39But you gave her responsibility early
26:43to take care of her siblings.
26:46If we don't do this,
26:49it might affect her psychological development.
26:54What should we do?
26:57Be fair to your children.
27:00If anyone makes a mistake,
27:02punish them.
27:04Tell them.
27:06Teach them what is right.
27:10And Gertie needs extra attention from you.
27:13You have to exert extra effort to get him.
27:17You have to make him feel that you love him.
27:21That you raised him.
27:37Edward?
27:39Geron, I brought ice cream.
27:41What's happening here? Why is the house in a mess?
27:47Where's Gertie?
27:49Edward, where's Gertie?
27:51Edward, where's Gertie?
27:53She left.
27:55She left.
27:57What?
27:58She left.
28:00Wait, I'll check her room.
28:02What do you mean she left?
28:04Edward, where's your brother?
28:06Tell me, where's your brother?
28:09Is he there?
28:11Where's your brother, Edward?
28:13Tell me, where's your brother?
28:15He's not in his room. He's not wearing his clothes.
28:20Let's call his classmates or his teacher.
28:23Wait, I'll just get my phone.
28:41Gertie, come here.
28:46What happened to you?
28:51Your brother, Edward, said that you left.
28:55Don't do that, okay?
28:57I wanted to leave but I couldn't.
29:03I'm sorry because you were worried about me.
29:08I won't do it again.
29:09Sorry, Ben.
29:11Sorry, Ben.
29:14I always scold you.
29:20And I'm sorry that we can't pay attention to you like your siblings.
29:33I hope you won't leave us.
29:40We love you so much, your mother and your brothers.
29:48Even if we can't feel you, we love you so much.
29:56But you know what, son?
29:58That will change from now on.
30:10My mom and dad said that my siblings are like ice cream.
30:15Different flavors, but all are special.
30:19But I think my mom and dad are more special.
30:25And I think it's not easy for us to be together.
30:30But I think my mom and dad are more special.
30:36And I think it's not easy for us to be together.
30:41Let's go.
30:56No, let's go tomorrow.
31:00I'm tired.
31:03Let's use the electric fan.
31:06I want to use this electric fan.
31:09I'm tired.
31:12Let's use it tomorrow.
31:16Brother, I want to tell you something.
31:25Listen to me.
31:28I'm sorry if I hurt you.
31:33I didn't mean to.
31:39Sometimes, I get jealous easily.
31:44I'm sorry too.
31:47Sorry.
31:50We're going to sleep.
31:52I'm going to sleep too.
31:56Okay.
31:57Okay.
32:09Mom, Dad, why aren't you sleeping yet?
32:16You know what, son?
32:18Your dad is lucky because you're our son.
32:24God gave you to us.
32:27And because of you,
32:29our family was formed.
32:32Brother and I are luckier
32:37because you became our parents.
32:41God gave you to us.
32:48No.
32:51Your dad and I are luckier
32:54because you are our children.
32:57We will never be separated.
33:06Hi, Thelma.
33:08Welcome.
33:10Let's introduce your children.
33:12From the right, give me your name.
33:14Eduardo Estrella.
33:16I'm 20 years old.
33:18Next.
33:20How old are you?
33:2218.
33:2418 years old.
33:26And?
33:28I'm Jerti Estrella.
33:30How old are you?
33:32I'm 14 years old.
33:34I don't mean to offend you,
33:36but this is just a question.
33:38You already have a first and a second child.
33:40You even have three children.
33:42Aren't you afraid that you'll get pregnant again?
33:45My pregnancy with Jerti is very traumatic.
33:49When you gave birth to Jerti Thelma,
33:50what was the first thing you said?
33:52When I found out that it's a boy again,
33:54I almost died.
33:56Praise the Lord.
33:58Jerti came out okay.
34:00His chronological age is 20,
34:02he said.
34:04His mental age is?
34:06Seven.
34:08Gerardi is down.
34:10Down syndrome.
34:12But he's a very good boy.
34:14He's easy to take care of.
34:16Jerti, I want to ask you.
34:17Your siblings need a different effort
34:20to be able to get along with them.
34:23Right?
34:25How does that feel?
34:27Sometimes it's hard.
34:29There are some people,
34:31you're the center stage
34:33where everyone looks at you
34:35because your family is different.
34:37When I was a kid,
34:39I often got into fights
34:41because I didn't like
34:43how people treated me.
34:45To your siblings?
34:47Yes.
34:49It was abnormal.
34:51So you get hurt when people treat you like that?
34:53Yes.
34:55Edward?
34:57Do you love your brother, Jerti?
34:59Gerardi?
35:01Do you love your brother, Jerti?
35:03Yes?
35:05How much do you love him?
35:07Love?
35:09Oh, you love your brother.
35:11Okay.
35:13I'm sorry, I didn't want to make him cry.
35:15I'm so sorry.
35:17Hey, that's okay.
35:19But it seems like you're carrying a lot, Jerti.
35:23Yes.
35:25How do you tell your children
35:27that they should love each other
35:30despite this situation?
35:33I think that's a big factor.
35:35My acceptance
35:37of my children.
35:39Of their condition.
35:41Plus, my husband is also a big factor.
35:44It's hard to say,
35:45but the time will come
35:47when we'll be gone, right?
35:49What are your preparations?
35:51First of all, how to be independent.
35:53Self-reliance.
35:55How will they live
35:58even if it's just a simple thing
36:01that they won't expect from other people.
36:03What will you leave as
36:06inspiration,
36:08inspirational thoughts
36:10to your parents?
36:12Don't be shy.
36:13And don't lose hope.
36:16That's why God gave us
36:18special children.
36:20God knows
36:22that we're special too.
36:24Jerti, what about you?
36:26To those like you who have siblings,
36:28who are like your siblings,
36:31what will you leave for them
36:33as an advice or
36:35inspiration?
36:37Don't be shy
36:39about being a sibling.
36:40Don't be shy
36:42about being a sibling.
36:44Don't be empathetic.
36:46I hope you have a sibling.
36:48Don't be shy about being a sibling.
36:51Be true to yourselves.
36:53And love each other.
36:56Selma, thank you so much.
36:58I'm congratulating you
37:00because I know it's not easy
37:02what you're going through.
37:04And I'm glad
37:06that I met someone like you.
37:08And Jerti,
37:10congratulations.
37:12Hats off to you.
37:14Thank you very much, Edward.
37:16Thank you, Gerard.
37:18Thank you so much,
37:20Ms. Mel Charco,
37:22for giving the opportunity
37:24to my family.
37:27Of course, I would like to thank
37:29my husband.
37:31Thank you so much, Daddy,
37:33for all the support.
37:35Thank you, Dad.
37:37To my sister,
37:39to my in-laws,
37:42to my
37:44gentleman's staff
37:46and teachers,
37:47thank you so much.
37:48Thank you, Tita Mel.
37:51You're truly unique,
37:53just like your family, Australia.
37:55And you're truly
37:57strong,
37:59and loving
38:00just like your family, Australia.
38:01Yes,
38:02they are strong
38:03and loving
38:04as a family.
38:06They are proof
38:08that true love
38:10does not require
38:12any conditions.
38:14They are an inspiration
38:15to us
38:17to have
38:18a broader understanding
38:20and a deeper
38:21understanding
38:22for our family.
38:26I am Mel Tiangco,
38:28and this is the story
38:29of each one of us
38:30tomorrow,
38:31and forever.