MANILA, Philippines - Chiara and Charina Nortega, a set of conjoined twins in Roxas, Palawan, are in need of funds in order to be surgically separated. Such medical procedure will enable the 6-year-old twins to live normal and independent from each other.
The struggles of Arnel and Sonia Nortega in raising twins with special needs was recently featured in the GMA-7 show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS). Unlike typical twins who can do things independently, the little girls have to do every single activity together, from bathing, to eating and even studying.
Despite being physically attached to each other, the twins have different personalities. Charina is said to be more sweet and talkative, while Chiara has difficulty communicating because she is suffering from cleft palate. Whenever their parents would find it hard to understand Chiara, Charina would try to communicate what her twin sister was trying to say.
The twin’s condition also doesn’t stop them from doing houseworks. They can even be tasked to buy things from a nearby sari-sari store.
“Nakakakilos naman sila ng sila lang. Nauutusan ko na po yan Mam. Pero kailangan pag inutusan ko sila bumili ng halimbawa uling o kaya mantika, yung isang bibitbit ng pinamili, yung isa naman magbabayad. Kasi pag binigay mo yung isa dun sa isa lang, nag-aaway silang dalawa. Kailangan may tag-isa silang ginagawa,” Sonia said.
Although their parents are hoping that they would be surgically separated soon, the cost of the procedures would amount to P1.3 million, an amount that the family couldn’t afford. An employee of DPWH, Arnel’s income is only enough to cover for his family’s basic needs.
“Bahala na ang Panginoon kung ano talaga ibigay sa amin. Hindi naman pwedeng hindi operahan yang mga yan. Paano kung wala na kami?” Arnel said.
According to Dr. Esther Saguil, a pediatric Surgeon, several tests must be carried out prior to the operation of the twins to determine what future awaits them if they get separated.
“Depende din yan kung magkadikit lang ba yung bunggo, yung buto lang, magkahiwalay yung tig-isang brain nila or magkadikit sila or hiwalay naman sila sa meringes or yung balot ng utak or kung talagang shared yung utak. Kasi kung shared ang utak, maaari nga naten paghiwalayin pero merong magiging damages sa kanilang dalawa,” Saguil explained.
Watch the video report.
For those interested to help the Nortega twins, you may send your donations to:
Any remittance center
Name: Sonia Beleganio Nortega
Address: Brgy 4 Roxas, Palawan
Cellphone number: 09127913976
or
Bank deposit thru FCB Roxas
Account name: Sonia Beleganio Nortega
Account number 049-0201-003850-4
-- Mini, The Summit Express
The struggles of Arnel and Sonia Nortega in raising twins with special needs was recently featured in the GMA-7 show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS). Unlike typical twins who can do things independently, the little girls have to do every single activity together, from bathing, to eating and even studying.
Despite being physically attached to each other, the twins have different personalities. Charina is said to be more sweet and talkative, while Chiara has difficulty communicating because she is suffering from cleft palate. Whenever their parents would find it hard to understand Chiara, Charina would try to communicate what her twin sister was trying to say.
The twin’s condition also doesn’t stop them from doing houseworks. They can even be tasked to buy things from a nearby sari-sari store.
“Nakakakilos naman sila ng sila lang. Nauutusan ko na po yan Mam. Pero kailangan pag inutusan ko sila bumili ng halimbawa uling o kaya mantika, yung isang bibitbit ng pinamili, yung isa naman magbabayad. Kasi pag binigay mo yung isa dun sa isa lang, nag-aaway silang dalawa. Kailangan may tag-isa silang ginagawa,” Sonia said.
Although their parents are hoping that they would be surgically separated soon, the cost of the procedures would amount to P1.3 million, an amount that the family couldn’t afford. An employee of DPWH, Arnel’s income is only enough to cover for his family’s basic needs.
“Bahala na ang Panginoon kung ano talaga ibigay sa amin. Hindi naman pwedeng hindi operahan yang mga yan. Paano kung wala na kami?” Arnel said.
According to Dr. Esther Saguil, a pediatric Surgeon, several tests must be carried out prior to the operation of the twins to determine what future awaits them if they get separated.
“Depende din yan kung magkadikit lang ba yung bunggo, yung buto lang, magkahiwalay yung tig-isang brain nila or magkadikit sila or hiwalay naman sila sa meringes or yung balot ng utak or kung talagang shared yung utak. Kasi kung shared ang utak, maaari nga naten paghiwalayin pero merong magiging damages sa kanilang dalawa,” Saguil explained.
Watch the video report.
For those interested to help the Nortega twins, you may send your donations to:
Any remittance center
Name: Sonia Beleganio Nortega
Address: Brgy 4 Roxas, Palawan
Cellphone number: 09127913976
or
Bank deposit thru FCB Roxas
Account name: Sonia Beleganio Nortega
Account number 049-0201-003850-4
-- Mini, The Summit Express
