A ‘diwata’ in denial?

“Ako si Reyna. Walang katulad ang pangalan ko — si Resa Mae Diyosa, alyas Rainbow Diamond Rainbow Star.”

This was how 61-year-old Resa Mendiola introduced herself to ‘Out of Control’ hosts Rocco Nacino and Mariz Umali when they paid her a visit.



Every day, Lola Resa adorns herself with bright and flashy feathers, hairclips and jewelry. She painstakingly applies vibrant makeup, from false eyelashes to even stickers on her face. She tops it all off with a crown atop of her head.

She denied that she was a fashionista, saying, “Hindi naman ako nagtitingin ng mga fashion, talagang natural ang outfit [ko.]”

But perhaps more colorful than her appearance were her stories.

‘Walang katulad’

Lola Resa sees herself as special, a mythical akin to dwarves or giants. In her case, she sees herself as a “diwata” (fairy) or “unang reyna” (queen).



For her, being “unang reyna” means having superpowers. She believes that by singing and waving to the people around her, she give them good luck.

According to Lola Resa, she comes from a long line of mystical beings. She believes that that saints elected her as such and she is the last in line to be blessed with the gift.

“Mga santo, santa, ‘di ba? ‘Yung bago sila mag-elect ng walang katulad, mag-uusap si Jesus Christ, ama ng langit, Virgin Mary, mga santo at santa, sinong susunod na reyna?” she explained.

“Anim na babae [kaming magkakapatid]. Ako ang pinaka-bunso. Kasi isinilang ako sa santo, iyon ang gift na walang katulad,” she continued. “‘Yung mga kapatid ko, ordinary. Ako lang ang mapalad.”

Lola Resa turns heads everywhere she goes, especially in the mall, where she purchases her makeup and accessories almost every day. “Tuwang-tuwa [sila], yung maliliit, mga bata, matanda, kahit sinong tao, turista, kahit ano.”

She simply waves back when people stare at her, saying that it’s part of her duty.

Surrounded by trash



Lola Resa puts much care into her appearance, but the same cannot be said about her house.

She lives alone in a three-storey house in Malabon. Every floor of the house is littered with piles upon piles of things — to the point that she has to sleep on the floor every night.

Lola Resa claimed she’s too “busy” with her duties to clean her house. “Sabi ng Diyos, unti-unti kasi baka mapagod ako, magkasakit ako kasi mag-isa lang ako. Siyempre, understand niya iyon.”

Despite the offer from show host Rocco Nacino and the local Department of Social Welfare and Development to help clean her house, she repeatedly declined.

Leny Concepcion, a case worker from the local government, explained that they can offer to relocate Lola Resa, as long as they have permission from her relatives.

Unfortunately, Lola Resa hasn’t seen nor spoken to her siblings in a long time. Her sister, who lives in the United States, sends her money, but that is the extent of their interaction.

When asked if she misses her siblings, she replied, ““Hindi na. Siyempre masasanay ka na mag-isa. Busy eh, ‘wag na, kanya-kanyang buhay na lang.”

Lola Resa added that although she wanted to get married, God made it clear that it wasn’t in His plan. “Tingin ko, kapag naka-concentrate ako sa asawa ko at anak ko, hindi ko na Siya papansinin. Siguro ganoon, gusto Niya dalaga ako.”

She admitted being lonely sometimes: “It’s natural na nalulungkot tayo, pero naisip ko Diyos muna ang unahin. Pero kapag lumalabas ako, masaya na kasi idol ka. Masaya dahil nakakausap mo lahat ng tao.”

Hoarding and ‘delusions of grandeur’

Dr. Cherry Raneses, a psychologist, diagnosed Lola Resa as a hoarder–someone who accumulates so much clutter that their living space cannot be used for its intended purpose.

“Importanteng linisin ang lugar ni Aling Resa para hindi lumala ang sitwasyon niya. Kapag marumi, delikado sa health. Kapag magulo, walang peace ang tao,” explained Dr. Raneses.



Dr. Raneses also diagnosed Lola Resa with schizophrenia, a mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions or disorganized thoughts.

One of the symptoms of schizophrenia is having “delusions of grandeur.” In Lola Resa’s case, it is her belief that she’s a queen or “diwata” and that God speaks to her.

“Sa assessment ko, hindi siya in denial. She’s not aware that she has a mental disorder,” said Dr. Raneses. “She’s aware of the year and date, however, she comes in and out of her delusions that she’s really different.”

Schizophrenia may be inherited, or in some cases, caused by traumatic or painful experiences. This may be true for Lola Resa. “Halimbawa dati ay hindi nage-excel sa school. Maaring malaki ang epekto noon. Pati ang paglipat ng bahay, maaring naging factor. Saka ang unti-unting nawawala ang pamilya o kasama,” said Dr. Raneses.

Dr. Raneses added that schizophrenics need proper nutrition, peaceful surroundings, regular visits to health experts and most of all, the help, support and understanding of loved ones.

If Lola Resa were to be taken to an institution for evaluation, she must be endorsed by her next of kin.

“Hindi dahil sa nahirapan tayong kumbisihin si Lola Resa na linisin ang kaniyang bahay ay susuko na tayo sa kanya,” said host Mariz Umali. “Ang ‘Out of Control’ ay nakipag-ugnayan na sa social worker para patuloy siyang tutukan at tulungan rin tayong mahanap ang kanyang kaanak o pamilya na maaari nating hingan ng pahintulot na dalhin siya sa isang institution." — Aimee Dacanay/PF, GMA News