Aired (February 22, 2007): This is the story of a child who is aging faster than usual and how she spent her remaining years with her condition.
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00:00She was called an old child, even though she was only seven years old.
00:07Her body, due to her illness, which we can call it progeria,
00:16a terrible and deadly genetic condition,
00:19where the children who have it grow old early.
00:23Their skin rots early, their hair falls off, and it becomes itchy.
00:29Aside from the hardship in life, this feeling is a great trial for her,
00:35especially since the children with progeria only live up to 14 years.
00:43My dear, let us now listen to the true story of life of Rochelle Pondare.
00:51Just a moment, children. It's almost time.
00:55Mom, here are the planks.
00:57If you want, I can get a lot of them because we might get wet.
01:02No, the rain will come out. This is enough.
01:08The rain is heavy. Is your father not here?
01:13That's really rare, even if we don't go home, let's see if we can fix this.
01:25Ah!
01:41Child, why is there water in your hair?
01:46Children!
01:59It's raining!
02:03Rochelle!
02:06Children! Where are you?
02:08Have you seen your children?
02:14Rochelle!
02:16I'm a virgin!
02:20I'm so sorry.
02:24I'm so sorry.
02:29I don't want to die.
02:31I don't want to die.
02:33Just go.
02:35Just go.
02:36Just go.
02:37Just go.
02:42I'm so sorry.
02:46I'm so sorry.
02:50Can't you see?
02:52We don't have a house anymore.
02:55The storm broke.
02:57Didn't you see us earlier?
03:00You got drunk again.
03:02Shut up.
03:04Where will we live?
03:07What will I do?
03:12We'll live with our father.
03:14What are you doing here?
03:17Father,
03:19the storm broke our house.
03:22We don't have a place to stay.
03:24So,
03:25if possible,
03:27we'll stay here.
03:29What can I do?
03:31You're already here.
03:34But I can't feed you.
03:36I can't feed you.
03:41I have two heavy loaves of bread with me.
03:43Do you want more?
03:49Let's stay here for now.
03:51We're one family.
03:53Just endure it.
03:55It's better than sleeping on the streets.
03:59Go inside.
04:00Go inside.
04:01It wasn't easy for Rochelle
04:05to accept her grandfather.
04:07Please understand.
04:08Rochelle's family will only be a burden to her.
04:21Why aren't you in bed yet?
04:23Mom,
04:25why is my hair messy?
04:27Am I going to have a baby soon?
04:32Uhm,
04:34my child,
04:38I can't buy you shampoo.
04:43Let me buy you shampoo
04:45when I have money
04:47so that your hair will grow back.
04:51I only need shampoo, Mom.
04:55Don't buy me shampoo, Mom.
04:58Let's just buy food.
05:02And maybe,
05:03Kalbu suits me.
05:07Don't worry.
05:08Even if you're a Kalbu,
05:10remember,
05:12I love you so much.
05:15I love you too, Mom.
05:24Did you find a job?
05:26Yes, but it's an extra job.
05:28Do we have food?
05:29I saved some for you.
05:32Uhm,
05:35I'm worried about your child.
05:38I'm wondering why her hair is messy.
05:41I want to see a doctor.
05:44Doctor?
05:45Where are we going to get money?
05:47We don't have anything to eat.
05:49Let her be.
05:50Maybe she's just allergic.
05:52Because of other more serious problems,
05:55they didn't pay much attention
05:57to Roshelle's hair loss
06:00until it started to grow back.
06:05Roshelle.
06:06Yes.
06:07Take care of your siblings.
06:08Take care of your mom.
06:10Yes, Mom.
06:11Take care.
06:13Okay.
06:14Be strong.
06:15Okay.
06:21Hey,
06:22Kalbu,
06:24you're not sad, are you?
06:27Get a job
06:29so I can help you.
06:31Yes.
06:36Don't leave.
06:37I'll just get some water.
06:39Okay, Sister.
06:50Roshelle became a burden
06:52to her grandfather.
06:54Even though Roshelle is hardworking and helpful,
06:57it wasn't a reason
06:59for her grandfather not to hurt her.
07:02Until one day...
07:05What do you want?
07:07I'm from the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan Foundation
07:12and I am here to help you.
07:14Help?
07:16What kind of help?
07:18Are you going to give us money?
07:19No.
07:21I just noticed that
07:22there are two disabled people here
07:25and I wanted them to give
07:28an opportunity in life.
07:30What are you talking about?
07:32I don't understand you.
07:34What we need is money.
07:37Why don't you give your children a chance?
07:42Bring them to the center.
07:45I'll give them something to do in life.
07:48That's good.
07:50You take care of them.
07:52They're just a burden to me.
07:56These are still young.
08:00Who is that child?
08:02Is she sick?
08:04Sick?
08:06Yes.
08:08They're giving me a headache.
08:11If you want, you can take them too.
08:15There's the mother.
08:16You can talk now.
08:17Move aside.
08:19Good evening.
08:20Good evening.
08:21Please have a seat.
08:32Is she your daughter?
08:36Yes, she's Rochelle.
08:38She's our eldest daughter.
08:40Have you taken her to the doctor?
08:43It seems that there's something wrong with her.
08:46We don't have money yet.
08:50Why don't you take her to the center in the city?
08:54I might find a way to help you.
08:58Okay.
09:00When we have money, we'll go to your place.
09:05Okay.
09:07I'll wait for you.
09:10I'll go.
09:11Okay.
09:28Hurry up.
09:29The food might get burnt.
09:31Okay.
09:45You're such an idiot.
09:46You broke the food.
09:48What are we going to use then?
09:51I don't want to.
09:53I don't want to.
09:54I'm scared.
09:56I don't want to.
09:58I don't want to.
10:00You idiot!
10:03What are you doing to your son?
10:05What are you doing to my son?
10:07I'm just teaching him a lesson.
10:09Your son is an idiot.
10:11You broke the food.
10:12What are we going to use then?
10:15Do you have the right to say that?
10:17He's just a kid.
10:20He's tired.
10:21That's right.
10:23So that I can get back at you for this.
10:25But if you complain,
10:27you can leave.
10:29You're so shameless.
10:31You're just torturing your own grandson.
10:33I'm not shameless.
10:38Get out of here.
10:41Son.
10:43Son.
10:44Father.
10:45Son.
10:46Son.
10:49Son.
10:50How could you do this to my son?
10:54Rochelle.
10:55Rochelle.
10:57Rochelle.
10:58Rochelle.
11:00Son.
11:02Son.
11:04Mommy's here.
11:07Wake up.
11:10Wake up, son.
11:11Wake up.
11:13Mommy, I'm so tired.
11:16I'm going to cry.
11:20Get some rest.
11:23Don't be afraid.
11:24Nothing will hurt you anymore.
11:28I'll get you something to eat.
11:30Okay.
11:35Look what you did to your son.
11:37How could you do this?
11:39That's what you'll say.
11:42You almost killed your father's grandchild.
11:45Is that what you'll say?
11:47What did I do that made you so weak?
11:51I'm so tired.
11:53I'm so tired.
11:55I'm so sick.
11:56I'm tired.
11:57I'm so tired.
11:58I'm so tired.
11:59I'm sick.
12:00I'm not okay.
12:02We won't be able to eat anymore.
12:03There's only sweet rice left.
12:05We don't have anything to eat.
12:06All we have is alcohol in our brains.
12:08Are you going to hurt us?
12:10Get out of our house.
12:12Get out!
12:14Get out!
12:16Get out!
12:36Mom?
12:38I'll carry it, Mom.
12:42No, son. I'll do it.
12:46Where are we going, Mom?
12:50Anywhere.
12:52Just don't come here.
12:56Dad, why aren't we together?
13:06Your father needs to learn to be a real father
13:11before we can be together again.
13:14Don't worry, Mom.
13:20I'll take care of you, Argyle and Argyleen.
13:28They lived in a small hut.
13:31Rosanna did all kinds of jobs
13:34to earn money while Rochelle took care of the siblings.
13:38During this time,
13:40Rochelle's hair was completely gone
13:43because of an unknown feeling.
13:47I'm hungry, too.
13:49But don't cry.
13:51Mom will be here soon.
13:53I'm sure she'll bring food.
13:55Think of something delicious
13:58so we can tell Mom later.
14:00And that's what we'll buy.
14:02Really, Sister?
14:04I'm really hungry.
14:06Drink some water.
14:18Mom, we've been waiting for you.
14:21Argyle and Argyleen are hungry.
14:24Can I ask for money
14:26so I can buy food?
14:29I don't have any money, Rochelle.
14:33My debtors stopped me.
14:36They don't want to agree
14:38that I won't pay.
14:40What should we do?
14:42Argyle and Argyleen will cry again.
14:45They have a bad temper.
14:48I don't know.
14:51I don't know.
14:53Don't worry, Mom.
14:55I'll take care of it.
14:57Wait, Rochelle.
14:59Wait, Mom.
15:14Mom, here it is.
15:16Mom,
15:18Argyle and Argyleen,
15:20let's eat.
15:21Please, let's eat.
15:24Rochelle,
15:25where did you get the food?
15:28From the market.
15:30I'm just asking for
15:32the leftover food.
15:36Come on, let's eat.
15:38Sister, this is a lot.
15:41How did you make this?
15:56It's fun.
15:57It's fun.
15:58My feet.
16:03What are you playing?
16:05Can I join?
16:07Do you want to play with him?
16:09I don't want to.
16:10He looks like a fool.
16:11He looks like a fool, too.
16:12Leave here.
16:13You might get us in trouble.
16:15Let's go.
16:16Let's go, Mom.
16:17Let's go.
16:18Let's go.
16:19Let's go.
16:20Let's go.
16:21Let's go.
16:22Let's go.
16:23Let's go.
16:24Let's go.
16:39Rochelle,
16:40why are you still sleeping?
16:43Mom,
16:45why do I look like this?
16:49What do you mean?
16:51I'm different.
16:52I'm not like other kids.
16:55I don't have hair.
16:57I don't grow up.
17:04My child,
17:07don't listen to what other people say.
17:13What's more important is
17:15your inner peace.
17:20Your inner peace.
17:25Don't worry.
17:27When we have the money,
17:30we'll go out to the city.
17:33We'll go to the center of the city
17:36so that we can see you.
17:39Even though Rosana knows that her child has an illness,
17:43she can't go to the doctor
17:45because of the severe poverty.
17:48Rochelle has to endure the pain
17:50that she feels.
17:52She has to be careful
17:54that people don't know about her illness
17:56because even if she knows,
17:58no one knows about this.
18:00Stop!
18:02Stop!
18:03Stop the car!
18:06Get away!
18:08Stop the car!
18:10Stop the car!
18:13Stop!
18:14Stop!
18:15Stop the car!
18:18Stop!
18:19Angeline!
18:27Stop it!
18:29What's happening?
18:31My daughter!
18:33Angeline! Rochelle!
18:35My daughter!
18:37You know what?
18:39My daughters are gone!
18:41They're safe!
18:43According to your daughter, Angeline,
18:45your mother, Rochelle,
18:47died while cooking.
18:49That's why the fire is on, but we're here.
18:51We saved them.
18:53Rosanna was very thankful
18:55to know that
18:57her daughters are safe.
18:59Meanwhile, she decided
19:01to go to Sister Marike
19:03to find out
19:05about Rochelle's illness.
19:07Mom, what are we doing here?
19:09Why are there so many flies?
19:13We went to Sister Marike's house.
19:15Do you remember the mother
19:17who went to your grandfather's house?
19:19She's the one who can help us
19:21so that you can be cured.
19:25Oh, hello!
19:27So it's true!
19:29Why did you come here?
19:31I'm sorry, Sister.
19:33I was really busy.
19:35I even borrowed a massage
19:37so that we could come here.
19:39Because
19:41Rochelle's situation is getting worse.
19:43I hope you can help us
19:45so that she can be cured.
19:47Don't worry.
19:49We'll do something about it.
19:51Okay?
19:55Rochelle went deep into the investigation
19:57to find out
19:59her real condition.
20:13Sister,
20:15what did the doctor say?
20:19Rochelle has a unique genetic disease
20:21called
20:23osteogenesis.
20:25It's a disease
20:27that grows fast
20:29in the esophagus.
20:31It's a disease
20:33that grows fast
20:35in the esophagus.
20:37It's a disease
20:39that grows fast
20:41in the esophagus.
20:45What do you mean
20:47by growing fast?
20:49Well, it means
20:51one year of her life
20:53is equivalent to ten years.
20:55And if you can notice,
20:57her hair is getting wet.
21:01Her body is like
21:03an old person.
21:05And like an old person,
21:07she gets tired easily.
21:09She gets tired easily.
21:13Do you have any medicine for her?
21:15No.
21:17It's a very rare disease.
21:19Until now,
21:21there's no cure.
21:23What will happen
21:25to your daughter?
21:27According to the doctors,
21:29the most common people
21:31who have this kind of disease,
21:33they last for about
21:3513 to 14 years.
21:39Anyway,
21:41she still has
21:43a few years to live.
21:45Why don't you
21:47give her a chance
21:49to live a normal life?
21:55Leave her with us.
21:57We'll take care of her.
21:59We'll put her to school.
22:01We'll give her
22:03everything she needs.
22:05Anyway,
22:07you can see her anytime you want.
22:13I thought you wanted to help us.
22:15Why are you taking
22:17your daughter?
22:19If she can only live
22:21for a few years,
22:23it's better for us to be together.
22:25I won't give her
22:27to you.
22:33I won't give her
22:35to you.
22:53Mom?
22:55Mom?
22:57Are you taking me
22:59as your mother?
23:01Yes, my child.
23:03Mom, promise me
23:05that no matter what happens,
23:07you won't give me away.
23:09Of course.
23:13If you're gone,
23:15who will take care of us?
23:19That's right.
23:21I don't want you to be separated
23:23from Archie and Angeline.
23:25They don't want to be separated from you either.
23:27That's why we're always together.
23:31Don't worry.
23:33If you become weak,
23:37we'll take care of you.
23:39We won't leave you.
23:41I love you, Mom.
23:43I love you, my child.
23:57Vegetables!
23:59Buy some vegetables!
24:01Vegetables
24:03for energy, strength,
24:05and nutrition.
24:07That's great!
24:09Where did you learn that?
24:11Just there in the square.
24:13I can hear it when I'm passing by.
24:17Wait,
24:19let me see your vegetables.
24:21Go ahead.
24:23Those are fresh.
24:25What should I cook?
24:27This one.
24:29How much for all of these?
24:3315 pesos.
24:41You're welcome.
24:45Rochelle?
24:53Her pet is a bad cat.
24:55The bad cat
24:57catches rats.
24:59Okay. What is a pet?
25:01Animal.
25:03Okay.
25:05A pet is
25:07an animal.
25:09Okay. Let's go to Bob's pet.
25:11Bob's pet.
25:13Bob's pet is a rabbit.
25:15The rabbit lives in the back.
25:17It hugs
25:19on the back.
25:21It hugs and hugs
25:23all people
25:25from 이� minggla today.
25:27Ah.
25:31Old groove
25:33road had ago
25:35of old known.
25:37Nay,
25:39sana po, makakutuh akong
25:41magsulat at
25:43magbasa.
25:45Tapos Nay
25:47bad naman English,
25:49gusto kong makutunan
25:51I can understand my sister when she speaks.
26:09Rochelle.
26:14Rochelle, what's happening to you?
26:17Huh?
26:18Son!
26:18Please!
26:20Rosanna didn't know what to do with Rochelle
26:23when she suddenly had a convulsion.
26:26That's why she was forced to approach Sister Marikeet.
26:30Sister!
26:34Oh, it's you. Why? What's wrong?
26:36Sister, please help my daughter.
26:43How is she, Sister?
26:45She's okay. She's stable now.
26:47What happened?
26:49Well, Rochelle is not a normal child.
26:52Because of her disorder,
26:55her immune system weakened.
26:58That's why she gets sick easily.
27:01Aside from the fact that she lacks the proper nutrients.
27:07I hope you do understand.
27:10Don't be mad at me.
27:13I just want to help you.
27:15And if I want to give Rochelle a chance
27:19to live properly
27:22for the rest of her life.
27:27Think about it.
27:29It's for the good of your child.
27:35Rosanna decided that it would be better for Rochelle
27:39to be placed in the proper care of people
27:43who have knowledge of progeria.
27:46Even if it's very painful,
27:48she accepted Sister Marikeet's advice
27:51about the life of her child.
27:55Mom, where are we going?
27:57Why aren't RJ and Angeline with us?
28:01We're just going for a walk.
28:04Mom, why did you bring my stuff?
28:14Mom, aren't we going to visit Sister?
28:18Yes.
28:19We just want to thank her for the help she gave us.
28:23Let's go.
28:33It's a beautiful day.
28:35Hello, Rochelle.
28:37How are you?
28:38I'm fine. Thank you, Sister.
28:40Please have a seat.
28:43Sister, is this her stuff?
28:45Yes.
28:46Please take it, Sister.
28:48Mom, why are you giving them my stuff?
28:55My child,
28:59you should stay here, Sister.
29:01You should stay here.
29:03Because you'll learn a lot here.
29:06You'll learn math, English,
29:09and you'll learn everything else.
29:12Mom, why did you leave me?
29:16Where will we go?
29:17We'll always be together with RJ and Angeline, right?
29:25My child,
29:27don't worry.
29:29We'll always bring you with us.
29:37Sister will take care of you.
29:39Sister.
29:41Mom, why did you leave me?
29:46We'll always be together, right?
29:49Mom.
29:56Mom.
30:00Do you know how much I love you?
30:03I love you, Mom.
30:07Mom.
30:08Mom.
30:10Mom.
30:12Mom.
30:14Mom.
30:16Mom.
30:18Mom.
30:20Mom.
30:22Mom.
30:24Mom.
30:26Mom.
30:28Mom.
30:39Hi, Rochelle.
30:41They told me that I have a companion here.
30:46I'm Alan.
30:48I'm Rochelle.
30:50Don't worry,
30:52the people here are kind,
30:54even though they have no feet.
30:56Come on, let's go inside.
31:08Yay!
31:09Yay!
31:10Mom.
31:37How many children do you have?
31:39Four.
31:41Rochelle is the only one who is sick like this.
31:44Rochelle is the eldest, right?
31:46So, you are the sister of your siblings.
31:49Who is your favorite among your siblings?
31:52My favorite is my mom.
31:54Do you take care of her?
31:56Yes.
31:57How?
31:58I just let her sleep.
31:59You let her sleep?
32:00What does she do?
32:02Sometimes she asks,
32:04Mom, can I wash the dishes?
32:06If you can.
32:07Yes, you can wash the dishes.
32:09Do you love Angeline?
32:10Yes.
32:11Do you play together?
32:13Yes.
32:14How did you receive Rochelle's condition?
32:19I just let God take care of everything.
32:21But you know, the doctor explained to you what could happen to her.
32:26Yes.
32:27What did he say?
32:28She will only last up to 14 years.
32:31How old is she now?
32:33She will turn 10 this May.
32:35Does she know her age?
32:36Yes, she knows.
32:37She knows?
32:38Who told her?
32:39I don't know who told her,
32:41but she said that sometimes she talks.
32:44Mom, what will happen to you when I'm gone?
32:48Do you want to study, Rochelle?
32:50Yes.
32:51She can dance and sing.
32:54Do you know how to write?
32:56Yes.
32:57Do you know how to write your name?
32:59Yes.
33:00That's it.
33:01I want her to write it.
33:03What do you want to be when you grow up?
33:04A doctor.
33:06You want to be a doctor?
33:08Let me see if you really know how to write.
33:11Come here.
33:13Come here.
33:15Write your name.
33:17Lapis.
33:18Okay.
33:19Caliwete.
33:20Caliwete.
33:21Write it.
33:22Go ahead.
33:23Write your name.
33:25Oh.
33:27That's great.
33:29Ana Rochelle O. Pondare.
33:34Oh, there's a heart at the end.
33:36Love.
33:37Love means?
33:38Love.
33:39Baby, how do you prepare yourself
33:42if the Lord will take her from you?
33:45It's very hard to think about.
33:47I'm avoiding to think about what will happen.
33:50But do you think He will accept her?
33:52He will accept her because when He teaches her,
33:56He said,
33:57Mom, why did I become like this?
33:59I said, I don't know why you became like this.
34:02Are you a good child?
34:04Yes.
34:05Are you obedient?
34:06Yes.
34:07Oh.
34:08Are you not naughty?
34:10Only sometimes.
34:11Oh, only sometimes.
34:12She admits it.
34:14Do you pray, Rochelle?
34:16Yes.
34:17What do you say to God?
34:19I hope He will give us happiness.
34:23Happiness.
34:24Happiness.
34:25Family.
34:26Yes.
34:27Do you pray that God will make you good?
34:29Yes.
34:30What do you say to parents like you
34:33who have this kind of great solidarity with their children?
34:38For me, it's better if I don't think about it
34:42because it's really heavy.
34:44So, I hope that the parents who have children like you
34:47don't treat their children like this.
34:49Just accept their situation
34:51and don't think too much about what will happen to them.
34:54Oh.
34:55What about your husband?
34:56I'm the one who left him.
34:58You're the one who left him.
34:59Why? Can I know?
35:01It's hard to explain.
35:02But isn't it harder to bring up this problem that his father is gone?
35:07I want us to live together more than with the father.
35:11Maybe when he gets older,
35:15the children will become worse.
35:19You're avoiding the children from their father.
35:22How are you living now, Bibet?
35:24I'm planting in my aunt's field.
35:28Lucienne, thank you very much.
35:31And you agreed that we should use your life story
35:37to watch over the children and be like a good daughter.
35:43You know, we have a surprise for you.
35:46Mr. Bondoc, come in, please.
35:48You know, Bibet, this is Mr. Resty Bondoc of STI.
35:52And he has a gift for Angeline.
35:55What is it, Resty? Can you explain?
35:57STI College of Santa Maria is giving a gift of knowledge for Angeline.
36:02This is a 4-year scholarship grant worth 200,000 pesos
36:06so that when Angeline goes to college,
36:08her studies will be secured.
36:10When Angeline grows up, she will have a college course sponsorship.
36:15This is for you, Bibet. Thank you very much.
36:23Thank you very much, too.
36:26And I would like to thank you, too, ma'am.
36:29She's laughing.
36:31Thank you very much to Aunt Mel, to GMA,
36:35and to Sister Marie Gil for taking care of my son.
36:39Thank you very much to them and for the help you gave us.
36:43Thank you very much to everyone.
36:45Come here, come here.
36:48Say thank you to them.
36:50Let's talk.
36:51Thank you, ma'am.
36:53There you go.
36:57There are 45 children with progeria all over the world,
37:03and Rochelle is one of them.
37:05At present, Rochelle is staying at Sister Marie Gil's care
37:10in a house without electricity
37:12so that her medicines and studies will be secured.
37:16She is still visited by her mother,
37:19and when there is a special occasion,
37:21Rochelle would go home so that they can be together.
37:27I am Mel Bianco, and this is the story of each one of us.
37:31Now, tomorrow, and forever.
37:35No matter how long, it will never change
37:43The cry of my heart
37:50No matter how long, no matter how long
38:06Whenever you need me, I am here
38:14Ready to love your soul
38:23For the rest of my life, I will never leave you