about.
v. used to call attention to something important
An online news magazine that aims to shed light to things that matter.
32 with three chromosome 21
When I was 8 or maybe 9, a total stranger caught my attention and I, without much knowledge about the world and its inhabitants, pored over every detail of his hand gestures and facial features. You know love at first sight? It was awe at first sight (forgive me because I’m a youngling already injected with this societal and conventional concept of beauty, no thanks to my MyScene dolls.) I have to admit that my first instinct was probably “dude wasn’t normal, got to go” but my mom quickly butts in on this intrapersonal conversation I’m having with my thoughts and perception on things, dropped an extremely offensive word out of the book then had the audacity to make up for what she said by used of mitigation, I guess. “Mongoloyd” “mababait” and “masiyahin” were the only keywords I can make out from that convo from years and years ago. Maybe 3 years after that “almost” meet-cute, I pondered deeply “MOM YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DROP THE “M” WORD, YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER, YOU’RE 40.”
It wasn’t long before I met a distant family relative with the same condition. I can’t remember the first time I met her but I know that I was pretty vigilant because I’m already aware of their behavior by that time. Sheryll Lay Gonzalez is 32 with an extra copy of chromosome 21, and she along with everyone that loves her has no problem with that.
Like most parents unaware of a possible structural dysfunction, Mrs. Maria Teresita Gonzalez had a hard time with everything encompassing her first-born’s diagnosis. She went through a series of tests and consultations in and out of the country for confirmation. Most importantly, Mrs. Gonzalez admitted that the acceptance stage was a long shot, a slow progression before a light bulb moment eventually happened. “Andyannayan.” Growing up was quite a chore for Cheche and her family because her condition requires full attention and special care. They had to hire Cheche a personal yaya and went
through speech therapy. Mrs. Gonzalez opened up about a time her daughter has this habit of biting everyone
that almost resulted to someone’s injury “Pinipitikpitikko pa datiyungdilaniya para pumasoksaloobtaposmahilg din kasimangagatyan. Kasikapagmangigigilsiyataposkakagatinniya, hindiniyatalagabibitawan. One time sa Mcdo ata 'yun eh may kinagat siyang bata na naglalaro, tapos sabi sa akin ng nanay na hindi dapat 'yan pinapalabas ng bahay.”
But these differences were never a hindrance to her studies. Turns out, Cheche has a high IQ level, above average than most and she used to be very active at her school. She got an award on her 6th grade and was featured in a television show. She proved more of her capabilities when she graduated with a degree in Library Information Science at the Centro Escolar University. What sets CheChe apart from her fellow challenged kids was that she was a goal-getter, and a –setter at that.
Che-che, with absolute conviction, told me that she’s not one to care about the negatives and bad stuff this world has to offer. Spouting one-liners after every questions is enough for me to grasp that this girl can’t be bothered with everything else that comes in between her happiness and hobbies that keeps bad thoughts at bay, and somehow that’s something I envy the most. She swears by dancing and singing, even showed me a clip of her dancing to All About that Bass. She’s full of sunshine and confidence evident through her perennial smiles like she’s literally grinning from ear to ear. They aim, they have visions of themselves living the dream, they dream. Cheche is a perfect example of one who did it. Cheche doesn’t have a lot on her plate for now and she’s just trying to enjoy her family’s comfort and company at their house and BGC at times. One thing you can be sure about persons with Down syndrome is that they can turn your absolutely-down-in-the-dumps day around, proven effective and guaranteed by yours truly.
​
+ CHE CHE ASKED ME TO PLUG HER SOCIALS SO PLEASE KINDLY ADD HER ON FACEBOOK (SHERYLL LAY GONZALEZ), SHE’D VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT.
Star na si Van Damme Stallone movie review
content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content
content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content
content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content
content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content content
FOR THIS PROJECT:
​
​
WRITERS:
VIANCA GAMBOA
CARLO SALUYA (MOVIE REVIEW)
​
​
CONTENTS:
ARJANE MAE SAYSON (SITE EDITOR, ILLUSTRATOR
​
