These siblings in Zamboanga del Norte have mesmerizing blue eyes

Three siblings in Zamboanga del Norte are catching everyone’s attention with their natural blue eyes. 

According to Rida Reyes’ “Brigada” report, they've had them since they were born. Their mother, Elizabeth Catubay, admitted being shocked when she saw her eldest child AJ born with one blue eye.

“His right eye was black and his left eye was blue,” Elizabeth said in Filipino.

AJ was followed by Princess whose eyes are both dark brown. Their third child, Daisy Louie, has the same set of eyes as AJ’s. The youngest, meanwhile, has both eyes blue.

They don’t know the reason behind it though, Elizabeth said she's not worried about it. A doctor once told them that the kids’ eyesights are normal.

“Okay daw po yung mata niya. ‘Di naman daw po malabo. Malinaw daw po,” she said.

“Sabi nila parang milagro. Sabi nila swerte raw na nakapag-anak ng blue eyes,” she added.

According to the report, The siblings’ condition — having different-colored eyes than normal — is called Heterochroma Iridis, a result of genetic mutation.

“Kaya siya blue eyes, kasi nagkulang yung melanin pigments doon sa iris nila,” said Dr. Leo Cubillan from the Philippine Eye Research Institute.

Based on a study, only eight to 10% of the world population have blue eyes.

Dr. Cubillan added the siblings can also fall under the Waardenburg Syndrome for their wide-set eyes.

“Itong syndrome na ito ay nangyayari dahil sa mutation doon sa apat na genes na nagko-control sa paggawa nung melanin sa mata,” he said.

Further studies are still needed to confirm this but according to Dr. Cubillan, the syndrome is just mild so there’s nothing much to be alarmed about.

According to AJ, others find his blue eye unique and beautiful but his mother seemed to have heard of some who think otherwise.

“‘Maybe you’re an alien’ they tell AJ. A classmate once punched him because they want to replace AJ’s blue eye with black, so it matches,” she said in Filipino.

When asked about these instances, AJ remained silent and just focused on helping his lolo and lola who are taking care of them while their mom works in Cagayan.

AJ stopped studying for School Year 2020-2021 because, according to his mom, he has been having a hard time catching up with his lessons.

In the meantime, he helps his grandparents look after his younger siblings and plans to continue his studies soon to build a better future for their family.

This isn't the first reported case of Heterochroma Iridis in the Philippines. Chenie Abarao Tuvilla, a Filipina girl from Sarangani, also has the same eye condition as AJ, Daisy Louie and Noah. — Franchesca Viernes/LA, GMA News