Rowegie Abanto

The once-bullied girl with alopecia, who spent years hiding behind bonnets, found herself in the spotlight — not as someone to pity, but as someone to admire.  

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ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

MANILA — What would you do if life handed you loss after loss—and then the world asked you to take off the very thing that helped you hide your pain?  For 19-year-old April, that moment came during a segment of &quot;It’s Showtime&quot; when comedy superstar Vice Ganda removed her wig in a gesture of compassion that touched the hearts of many.  The once-bullied girl with alopecia, who spent years hiding behind bonnets, found herself in the spotlight — not as someone to pity, but as someone to admire.  At six, April Doria’s life changed when her mother noticed her hair was falling out.She was diagnosed with alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss in areas where hair typically grows.  April struggled not only with hair loss but also with bullying.  “Takot na takot ako pumasok. Tinatanggal nila yung bonnet ko, hindi ko kaya humarap sa maraming tao. Feeling ko, iba ako—bakit ako ganito?”  (I was afraid to go to class. They would pull off my bonnet. I couldn&#x27;t face people. I felt so different — why am I this way?)On top of this, her family faced challenges. Her father passed away, and her mother fell ill.April had to stop studying to support her family, working as a milk tea delivery girl.  “Ang alam nila, happy kid ako, pero sobrang bigat na pala ng nararamdaman ko. Kailangan ko maging matibay.”  (I seemed like a happy kid, but I was really carrying a heavy burden. I needed to be strong)April’s life changed when she joined &quot;It’s Showtime&#x27;s&quot; &quot;EXpecially for You&quot; segment.In a heartfelt moment, Vice Ganda removed her wig as a sign of support for April and others with the same condition.That gesture, small yet meaningful, lifted a weight from her heart.  <div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3cm6wycaGFQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>“Huwag kang magmadali (Don&#x27;t rush it), in your time,” Vice Ganda encouraged her.  “Maraming maraming salamat kay Meme Vice dahil kung hindi din dahil sa kanya, hanggang ngayon wala akong self-confidence, wala akong mukhang ihaharap sa ibang tao,” April shared.  (I am very thankful to Meme Vice because I would not have had the self-confidence if not for her)Now, at 19, April is excited to celebrate Christmas with her mother and two siblings, who have been her source of strength.  “Ma-a-advice ko sa sarili ko, maging matatag ka pa. Kayanin mo lang yung mga hamon ng buhay, kailangan ka ng mama mo at mga kapatid mo,&quot; she said.(I tell myself to be even stronger. Take on the challenges of life because your mother and your siblings need you)“Sa mga taong nakakaramdam na hindi sila kamahal-mahal, huwag po magpaapekto sa sasabihin ng ibang tao. May mga taong tatanggap sa inyo.”  (To those who feel they do not deserve love, don&#x27;t let yourselves be affected by what others say. There are people who will accept you)Hair is often said to be our &quot;crowning glory.&quot;However, it can never be more important than the head itself, where we can control what we think and what we do.April has now gained over 189,000 followers on TikTok, where she continues to spread her message of self-love and resilience.

The once-bullied girl with alopecia, who spent years hiding behind bonnets, found herself in the spotlight — not as someone to pity, but as someone to admire.

The once-bullied girl with alopecia, who spent years hiding behind bonnets, found herself in the spotlight — not as someone to pity, but as someone to admire.

From wigs to wings: How 'It’s Showtime' contestant turned alopecia into an inspiration

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From wigs to wings: How 'It’s Showtime' contestant turned alopecia into an inspiration

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Kathleen Veronica Z. Olsim

Published December 15, 2024 12:54 PM PHT

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