Angelu de Leon has had Bell’s palsy twice — a condition that caused her to feel depressed at one point.
In a recent episode on the “Updated With Nelson Canlas” episode, the actress and politician shared that she first experienced Bell’s palsy around 2001 and then a recurrence in 2016.
Bell’s palsy is a disease that causes partial paralysis or weakness of the facial muscle on one side of the face, according to PinoyMD. Those with this condition experience symptoms of varying degrees, such as drooping of the face, one-sided or lopsided smiles, eye twitching, and more. It occurs suddenly and immediately, and may last from three weeks to five months, sometimes even up to a year.
For Angelu, she experienced depression after being diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, especially because physical looks are one’s capital in the entertainment industry.
“Gusto mong sabihin buhay ‘to ng artista, mukha. Puhunan mo siya,” she said.
At one point, she also thought that having Bell’s palsy was a curse, but her faith in God strengthened her resolve and helped her get out of her depression.
“One verse would always [stick] with me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you. In your weakness, my grace is sufficient for you…’ [A]fter holding on to that Bible verse talaga na sabi ko, ‘Hindi eh, it’s here for a reason. It’s here because it makes me closer to God,'” she said.
Even while she had Bell’s palsy, she recounted the blessings that she experienced during those times, one of which was having her first billboard on EDSA. Today, she is also part of the “Pulang Araw” cast.
Angelu believes that everything happens for a reason. She also shared in the interview how it is okay to feel sad or depressed for a while.
“Give your time to grieve or to be sad. Give it time. As in talagang give it a short time and then get out of it,” she said.
“For me talaga, it’s really my faith that helped me get through this. I think all the things that I am blessed with, it’s also because of the faith I have. Kungbaga dati ako ‘to, uy maganda ako, ganiyan ako. Ngayon hindi na. It’s because everything I have is given to me by God,” she added.
Acceptance, per Angelu, also helps in dealing with the condition.
“‘Yung confidence level mo lang medyo naco-conscious ka na, where to face, what to do, if you’ll smile. But afterwards kasi parang tanggap mo na. Tsaka kung mas mabilis ko siyang natanggap siguro mas hindi ako nag-wallow in self-pity, siguro mas mabilis kong na-recover ‘yung mga muscles ko.”
Nowadays, the actress is more careful when it comes to her health, especially because her Bell’s palsy in the past seemed to have been caused by stress.
“Don’t take anything for granted, especially yourself and your health. Kasi anything can strike, alam mo hindi rin naman ako makapag-complain masiyado din dahil hindi naman ‘to life threatening, hindi rin siya ganun ka- grabe. I mean, may mga ibang mas grabeng pinagdaanan. ‘Yun nga lang, syempre ito, akong lang feeling ko ako lang ‘yung apektado,” she said.
Angelu currently stars in the historical drama “Pulang Araw,” where she plays Carmela, the wife of vaudeville actor and theater owner Julio Borromeo (Epy Quizon). She is the mother of Teresita (Sanya Lopez) and treats Adelina (Barbie Forteza) poorly.
“Pulang Araw” airs weeknights on GMA Prime at 8 p.m. after “24 Oras” and also streams on Netflix.
— CDC, GMA Integrated News
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