How is Daxen, the boy from Antique with a skin condition featured on KMJS?

You might recall the boy from Antique who suffered from a debilitating skin condition, as shown in an earlier episode of "Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho."

With the help of viewers, Daxen was able to get treatment for his Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, a reaction of the body towards certain drugs. He was also able to reunite with his mom Daylyn, who worked as a domestic helper in Singapore.

A month has passed since, and Daxen has recovered by leaps and bounds. Jessica Soho and the rest of the KMJS team flew to Iloilo City to accompany Daxen to his follow-up checkup.

"Mabuti na po," Daxen said when asked how he was feeling. "Makakatulog na ako. Noon kasi po nung may sakit ako, hindi na po ako makatulong sa lolo at lola ko. Noon kasi naawa din po ako sa kanila."

Turning emotional, he added, "Hindi sila makatulog kapag humihingi ako ng tubig."

("I feel so much better. I sleep better now, and I can even help my grandparents. I used to feel so helpless, especially when they can't sleep properly because I would ask for water.")

While before, Daxen was bedridden, these days, he's been helping his grandparents with their farm animals.

His mother Daylyn said that when his story was featured on KMJS, she had hoped that Daxen's life may be saved.

"Doon ko rin naisip, ang dami-dami palang taong handang tumulong sa'yo kahit hindi mo kakilala," she said.

"Sa mga nag-donate po, sobrang thank you. Ipinambayad sa hospital, ipinambili ng gamot niya at saka yung mga follow-up check-ups niya. Sobrang thank you po sa inyo! Ito na po si Daxen, binigyan ninyo ng pangalawang buhay," she added, tearing up.

("When help came after our story aired, that’s when I realized that there are a lot of people who are willing to help. I want to thank everyone who sent their donations. We used them to pay for Daxen's hospital bills, medicines, and follow-up check-ups. I'm so grateful because you've given Daxen a second chance at life!")

Before the donations came flooding in, Daylyn was working in Singapore, barely taking a day-off so that she could earn money for her son. In fact, she will eventually have to leave again to work, this time in Dubai.

Daylyn said that there were a lot of viewers who turned out to be able to relate to her struggles as an OFW mom.

"Kasi nakaka-relate sila sa story ko na malayo sa anak," she said. "Sobra silang na-touch sa story namin ni Daxen."

("A lot of OFWs could relate to our story. They were very moved by the episode.")

She also thanked their helpful neighbors, and those who made efforts to rescue Daxen.

But the good deeds didn't end there. After Daxen's recovery, his town created a rescue volunteer group called DAO Lifesaving Advocates.

"I started to conceptualize DLA sa time na ni-rescue namin si Daxen," said head Charlie Tacda. "Naawa talaga ako sa bata. Kasi nakita ko kung gaano kahirap yung rescue rito sa amin. ‘Yung target namin ’yung mga upland barangays na mas mahirap abutin ng responder."

("I started to conceptualize DLA around the time we rescued Daxen. At the time, I felt sorry for the kid. I witnessed how difficult it is to mount a rescue operation in the area, especially for those who live in the upland barangays.")

Not all is completely well with Daxen, however. He continues to drink maintenance medicines for his seizures and apply cream for his wounds — all that total to P8,000 monthly. And since he is set to enroll after leaving school due to his condition, the expenses keep piling on.

According to his doctor, allergist and immunologist Dra. Cynthia Gallinero, Daxen will have to keep drinking his anti-seizure meds for five years

However, the medical team said that Daxen has been recovering well.

"He responded dramatically within five days," Gallinero said. "'Yung hydration ng balat, making sure na hindi magkaroon ng secondary infection, that's what we did. We also applied a lot of compresses, normal saline solution para gumanda at gumaling yung balat, ma-absorb yung mga pinapahid naming mga topical medication."

("He responded dramatically within five days. We got his skin hydrated, and made sure there were no other infections. We applied a lot of compresses so his skin would completely heal and absorb the topical medication.")

She added that Daxen's case is inspiring for them.

"[Because] 'yung experience na nangyari sa kanya also reflects on our life, sa struggles namin bilang mga medical doctors," she said. "We know na difficult 'yung case niya. ‘Yung trust niya kay Lord saka 'yung confidence niya sa sarili niya, talagang overwhelming."

("His experience reflects on our life, our struggles as medical doctors. We know how difficult his case is. But he had complete faith in the Lord, and had confidence in himself to make it through. It was really overwhelming.")

To help with the expenses, KMJS gifted Daxen with school supplies, including a bag. They also donated money for his maintenance medicines.

"Thank you so much po," Daylyn said. "Pinagpe-pray ko lang po na tuloy-tuloy yung paggaling ni Dax. 'Yung hindi na sana babalik ‘yung sakit niya na habang wala ako."

("I could only pray that Daxen will completely recover– that he won't suffer the way he did before.")

"Para sa mga ina, habang kasama 'yung mga anak, alagaan tapos mamahalin kasi hindi mo alam mapapalayo ka sa kanila," she added. "Para sa mga OFW na tulad ko, magpapakatatag kasi ayun 'yung reyalidad na mapalayo ka sa mga anak mo, pagdating sa ibang bansa mag-aalaga ka ng ibang anak, sobrang hirap po."

("To mothers who are able to be with their children, you have to make sure to take good care of them, because you never know when you'll be forced to separate from them. For OFWs like me, we have to remain strong for our loved ones.")

Meanwhile, Daxen is nothing but grateful for his second shot at life.

"Milagro na nabuhay po ako."

("For someone like me, it’s a miracle to be alive.")

"Wounds of Woes," the episode about Daxen's plight, earned KMJS a gold medal at the 2023 New York Festivals (NYF). Jessica Soho has now received gold, silver, and bronze nods from the awards body.

For those who wish to help, please deposit to:

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Account Name: Christopher Sacquior Eiman
Account Number: 2339128254
Gcash: 09080828275 - Daylyn Eiman

—JCB, GMA Integrated News