‘Filaria,’ dokumentaryo ni Kara David (Full Episode) | I-Witness

Summary

The documentary highlights the struggles of Filipino abaca farmers in Libacao, Aklan, who suffer from filariasis, a neglected tropical disease spread by mosquitoes. The disease causes severe swelling, often in the legs or genitals, and primarily affects those working in damp, mosquito-prone areas, like abaca farms. Elderly residents like Lola Florentina, who have lived with the disease for decades, endure isolation and lack of medical care. Despite treatment programs, many resist taking medication, fearing side effects, and the disease continues to affect new generations. The documentary emphasizes the need for education and accessible healthcare in rural communities.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The Philippines is the main global source of abaca, a fiber used to produce rope, paper, and currency.
• 👵 Lola Florentina, a 94-year-old from Barangay Loga, Aklan, suffers from filariasis and is the oldest living member of her family, most of whom have died from the disease.
• 🚶‍♀️ Despite being blind and deaf, Lola Florentina relies on her neighbors for daily support, as her family can’t care for her full-time.
• 💉 Filariasis, a neglected tropical disease in the Philippines, has been affecting rural farming communities for over 100 years.
• 🦟 The disease is transmitted through mosquitoes and causes severe swelling, especially in the legs and genitalia, often leading to lifelong suffering.
• 🏞 Many abaca farmers, like Raymundo and his daughter Elsa, have contracted filariasis but continue their work despite the risk, as it is their main source of income.
• 💊 Despite efforts to distribute free medication to prevent filariasis, many refuse to take it due to side effects or fear, prolonging the spread of the disease.
• 👧 Even children in Aklan are now testing positive for filariasis, showing that the disease isn’t limited to older farmers.
• 🌾 Farmers believe that their work in damp environments, such as abaca fields, contributes to their illness, though doctors explain that mosquitoes are the real culprits.
• 📚 Education and medical access are essential to stopping filariasis, but many remote farming communities remain underserved, making eradication challenging.

Q & A

What is abaca and where does it come from?

Abaca is a type of fiber used to make ropes, paper, and even currency. Almost all abaca in the world comes from the Philippines.

How does abaca production impact families in the Philippines?

Abaca production supports over a thousand families in the Philippines, providing them with a livelihood. However, it also exposes many farmers to health risks like filariasis.

Who is Lola Florentina Duran, and what challenges does she face?

Lola Florentina Duran, 94 years old, is the oldest person in Barangay Loga, Libacao, Aklan. She is blind, deaf, and suffers from filariasis, a disease she has endured for over six decades. Despite her condition, she receives little care, as her only child can visit her only when not working in the abaca fields.

What is filariasis, and how does it affect those in Libacao, Aklan?

Filariasis is a parasitic infection transmitted through mosquito bites, causing severe swelling of limbs and other body parts. Many farmers in Libacao, especially those working in abaca fields, suffer from this disease.

What do the farmers believe causes filariasis, and what is the actual cause?

Many farmers believe filariasis is caused by physical strain and exposure to wet conditions while working with abaca. However, doctors clarify that the disease is caused by mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes species, which carry filaria worms.

Why do some people with filariasis, like Pablito Kokoy, avoid seeking medical help?

Many farmers, like Pablito Kokoy, avoid medical treatment due to the cost and a deep-rooted fear of doctors. Additionally, some believe that their condition is a natural part of their work and accept it as inevitable.

What role do mosquitoes play in spreading filariasis in abaca farming areas?

Mosquitoes breed in water collected in plants such as gabi, banana, and abaca, which are common in abaca farming areas. These mosquitoes transmit filariasis when they bite infected people and then pass the parasites to others.

What are the long-term effects of filariasis, and how does it manifest in people like Raymundo Esto?

Filariasis can cause long-term swelling and deformity in limbs, scrotum, or other body parts. Raymundo Esto, a 77-year-old abaca farmer, has endured severe swelling of his scrotum for over two decades due to the disease.

What challenges prevent the eradication of filariasis in the Philippines?

The eradication of filariasis in the Philippines is hindered by a lack of access to healthcare, reluctance to take medication due to fear of side effects, and the remote locations of affected communities. Cultural beliefs also play a role in accepting the disease as inevitable.

What efforts have been made to combat filariasis, and what are the challenges in implementing them?

In 2001, a filariasis eradication program was launched in the Philippines, distributing free medication to prevent the disease. However, many people refuse to take the medication due to fears of side effects, such as fever and dizziness, making it difficult to completely stop the spread of the disease.