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VIRAL: La Salle grad proves beauty is only skin deep

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Rhys Buccat, ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- Like most of his peers, Marion Agner proudly posted his graduation photo on his Facebook account.</p><p>But his was no ordinary yearbook picture.</p><p>For one, it went viral. His post drew much attention from netizens who were inspired by his story. As of this writing, it already garnered 7,445 shares and 73,000 likes.</p><p>Last April 4, a day before graduating with a degree in Psychology, the 20-year-old De La Salle University-Lipa student posted two very different photos on his Facebook wall.</p><div><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameBorder="0" height="696" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D10206278327621540%26set%3Da.1376263251067.2051618.1366423392%26type%3D3&amp;width=500" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="500"></iframe></div><p>&quot;Yes, that’s me on both photos and I know you’re thinking that I look different,&quot; he wrote in the lengthy post.</p><p>&quot;There were times that I would like to give up but I told myself that I need to keep on fighting because that’s the real meaning of life. You need to learn how to fight and stand on your own feet. Having this kind of condition is not a hindrance to achieve my goals in life,&quot; he added.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/lifestyle/10/26/agner1_1.png  "/></figure></div><p>That condition is anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, which Agner was born with. It is a rare skin condition -- affecting only one out of 100,000 people, according to research -- characterized by the abnormal development of ectodermal tissues such as skin, hair, teeth and sweat glands.</p><p>His hair is sparse and he didn&#x27;t have eyebrows and eyelashes. His teeth are also small and pointed.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/lifestyle/10/26/agner3.jpg"/></figure></div><p>But that&#x27;s not all. He can&#x27;t stand the heat -- literally. His nose bleeds during hot afternoons since body heat remains trapped inside and could not be released by sweating.</p><p>&quot;The doctors advised my parents that I should be placed in cool places like air-conditioned rooms and avoid being exposed to heat,&quot; he told ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview. &quot;I’m not also allowed to be involved in extreme physical activities and get tired because it will lead to nose bleeding.&quot;</p><p>Despite his condition, Agner tried to live like a normal kid. At age six, he finally learned how to swallow solid food which allowed him to gain weight. He also started attending school -- but under the strict supervision of his parents.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/lifestyle/10/26/agner2.jpg "/></figure></div><p>While other children played games outside, Agner stayed inside the classroom with his &quot;best friend&quot; -- a stand fan, which kept him cool and comfortable amid the tropical heat from Grades 1 to 6.</p><p>According to Agner, everything seemed manageable until he hit puberty. His appearance made him the subject of jokes, while some even feared him.</p><p>&quot;I can still recall when I was in high school, people would often look at me mockingly because of my physical appearance,&quot; he said. &quot;I always ask why did it have to be me to experience this kind of situation. I want to live a normal life just like others. I don’t want to be rejected and criticized because of how I look.&quot;</p><p>One day, he came home crying after his classmates got scared of him because of his pointed teeth. Upon hearing the story, Agner&#x27;s mother immediately called the dentist to get a pair of dentures for her son.</p><p>&quot;There were a lot of times when people judged the way I look, especially when I’m in public places. They always look at me like I’m terrifying to approach and that was the hardest part for me to accept,&quot; he said.</p><div><strong>Mr. Freshie</strong></div><p>Despite this, he tried to conquer his insecurities and gain confidence by joining contests. He ignored the prying eyes of the audience and kept his head high instead.</p><p>“Do whatever you want. We are always here to support you,&quot; his mother always reminded him.</p><p>In his freshman year, Agner joined the Mr. and Ms. Freshies 2012 at La Salle Lipa. Out of 10 candidates, he finished third runner up.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/lifestyle/10/26/agner6_1.jpg "/></figure></div><p>In his junior year, he also joined The Search for Ambassadors of Mental Health, where he placed third.</p><p>&quot;From then on, I told myself that maybe it is okay to experience a little change for myself -- to wear a real human hairpiece and put some eyebrows,&quot; he said.</p><p>Suddenly, he became more conscious of his looks. There were times when he would not leave the house without wearing eyebrows, dentures and his hairpiece.</p><p>&quot;Right after doing it, I felt the belongingness that I longed to feel as random people whom I passed by everyday already stopped mocking me,&quot; he said.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/lifestyle/10/26/agner7_1.jpg  "/></figure></div><p>In 2013, he even joined a modeling show because he wanted to inspire other people.</p><p>&quot;The big night came and when I walked wearing the barong, I decided to take off my hat because my purpose was to be real with myself and to inspire other people who were watching,&quot; he said.</p><p>While some people laughed, a few members of the audience clapped and got his message.</p><p>&quot;Although I felt embarrassed that time, the show must go on. I just also want to experience how it is like to become a model,&quot; he said.</p><p>According to Agner, his family and friends were his biggest fans that night. They all stood and cheered for him when he unveiled his real face.</p><div><strong>Strong support group</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/lifestyle/10/26/agner8_1.jpg  "/></figure></div><p>&quot;My parents are my biggest supporters. They are the heroes in life. No matter how hard things are for me, they are always at my back to keep me pushing to achieve my dreams in life,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;I can still remember when I was still young, when people asked my mom, &#x27;Bakit po ganyan &#x27;yung anak niyo?&#x27; I knew how it had been so painful for her to hear that from other people. I was really amazed how strong my mom was. She will calmly share what kind of condition I have while smiling.&quot;</p><p>At 20, Agner has been judged, criticized, and mocked countless times. Instead of allowing other people to define him, he realized that beauty is only skin deep.</p><p>&quot;Every person has his own beauty, which is a gift from God. It may not be wrapped in a shiny and smooth sheet, it may not be hugged by sparkling ribbons. But what we always appreciate and love the most is what&#x27;s inside,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Like most of his peers, Marion Agner proudly posted his graduation photo on his Facebook account. But his was no ordinary yearbook picture.</p>

Like most of his peers, Marion Agner proudly posted his graduation photo on his Facebook account. But his was no ordinary yearbook picture.

VIRAL: La Salle grad proves beauty is only skin deep

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VIRAL: La Salle grad proves beauty is only skin deep

Rhys Buccat,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 22, 2016 12:57 PM PHT

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Updated Oct 26, 2016 06:32 PM PHT

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marion agner

de la salle lipa

anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia

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