3 brothers contract muscular disease after their father destroys mound inside their Kidapawan home

In Philippine mythology, there are dwarf-like creatures that are believed to inhabit anthills or termite mounds.

Commonly known as "nuno sa punso," it is said that these creatures have the power to curse people whenever their homes are disturbed.

In Kidapawan, North Cotabato, a family believes that these creatures took shelter in their kitchen, where a mound has started growing.

In the latest episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," Garry and Janeth Lopez said that they were told to destroy the mound because it's bad luck to have one inside a house.

"Pinapala ko po, tinapon ko sa malayo," Garry said.

["I used a shovel and threw the mound away."]

But three months after Garry destroyed the mound, their three sons, Ganggang, Obbo, and John John, started experiencing changes in their arms and thighs.

Their elbows and knees seemed to have folded, their hands and feet started bending, and their backs curved to a shape similar to the mound their father destroyed.

"Natatapilok, natutumba sila bigla. Nu'ng nagtagal, 'yung tuhod na naman, nahihirapan tumayo. Ngayon, hindi na makalakad," Garry said. "Sumisigaw sila sa sakit. Hindi kami makatulog. Masakit masyado daw ang mga paa nila."

["They would often lose their balance. As time went by, they had a hard time standing, and eventually couldn't walk anymore. They would cry out of pain. They would tell us that they're feet hurt too much."]

The couple suspected that they had angered the creature that lived in the mound, leading to their children's health issues.

Garry said he regrets what he did.

"Ako man ang nakasira sa bahay nila dapat akin 'yung parusa, hindi na lang sa mga bata," Garry said.

["It was me who destroyed the mound so I should be the one suffering, not my children."]

In fear of being followed by the said creature, the family moved to a new home located at the foot of Mt. Apo in Sta. Cruz, Davao Del Sur.

However, the family claimed that they were still followed.

"Nagluluto ako nun tapos sumigaw silang tatlo. 'Yung ngipin (ng pangalawa) sa gitna parang nabasag, 'yung parang may sumampal sa kaniya. 'Yun na rin yung dahilan na ako rin, may nakikita na 'ko. 'Yung duwende po, tatlo sila tapos puro babae," Janeth said.

["I was cooking at that time when the three of them screamed. The tooth of my child cracked as if someone had slapped him. I also saw the dwarves, there were three of them and all were female."]

The family is still trying their best to continue with their lives. The boys have a specific showering schedule and depend on pillows so they won't fall whenever they're sitting down.

They can no longer go to school because it is far from their home.

Despite this, however, they continue on dreaming.

"Paglaki ko gusto ko maging driver sa bus. Para makapunta sa iba't-ibang lugar," Ganggang said. "Bago ako matulog pinagdadasal ko na makalakad na 'ko. Para hindi na maghirap."

["When I grow up, I want to become a bus driver so I can go to different places. Before I go to sleep, I always pray that I'll be able to walk soon and for our suffering to end."]

Ganggang, Obbo, and John John's diagnoses

The parents said that they've always wanted to have the kids checked by a specialist, but Garry doesn't earn enough from his side jobs.

They sought help from a folk healer, who said that the creature in the mound took revenge on them.

The KMJS team meanwhile helped the family have the boys checked by a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, and after undergoing laboratory tests, they found out that the boys had a genetic condition.

Dr. Jan Mican Tan, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, diagnosed them with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.

"Unfortunately, this is a progressive disease, patuloy na pong magde-deteriorate 'yung condition ng ating mga pasyente," he said.

["Unfortunately,  Duchenne's muscular dystrophy is a progressive disease. Their condition will continue to deteriorate."]

"The best thing we could do now is rehab and physical therapy. As of this time, there is still no curative treatment," he added.

Dr. Shelene Reña, Neurology Rotator & Pediatric Resident said, "for confirmation ng Duchenne muscular dystrophy, puwede tayong magkaroon ng muscle biopsy, mayroon din tayo na genetic testing para sa mga ito."

["To confirm if they have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, they can undergo muscle biopsy, and undergo genetic testing.".]

"What we can do para pabagalin natin ang paglala ng sakit ay nagbibigay tayo ng steroids at saka yung mga gene therapies. Pero again, hindi ito lunas," she added.

["To slow down the progression of their condition, we can administer steroids and gene therapies. However, this is not a cure."]

Garry and Janeth appealed for help for their children.

"Pangarap ko po sa mga anak ko 'yung makalakad sila tapos 'yung may hihingin sila sa amin, mabigay namin," Janeth said.

["I could only hope for my children to be able to walk again, and that we'd be able to provide whatever they ask of us."]

For those who wish to help, you may send your donations to:

LANDBANK DIGOS BRANCH
SAVINGS ACCOUNT NAME: GARRY O. LOPEZ
SAVINGS ACCOUNT NUMBER: SA 0336 3829 71

—JCB, GMA Integrated News