1 week ago
12
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Published May 29, 2025 1:33pm
Saab Magalona got real about the challenges of raising her eldest son, Pancho, who has cerebral palsy.
The podcast host and musician shared photos on Instagram of scratches on her body, which are “very much a part of my parenting journey.”
“As a mom of a child who’s still learning how to communicate, it’s taken years of literal blood, sweat, and tears to get to this point," she said.
“It used to be the norm. Now, it’s thankfully rare. But when it happens, it still hurts."
Saab also noted that taking the scratches personally never helps.
“The fastest way to calm him down is to acknowledge: ‘I know you didn’t want to hurt me.’ I tell him I’m right here and I’m listening,” Saab said.
“Yes, I still get hurt. Yes, I still get mad, especially when he hurts himself. This is the truth. But here’s another truth: he’s come so far. WE have come so far.”
She also has this message for parents who are going through similar challenges: “[You’re] not alone. It will get better.”
“Keep assuming competence even if they are nonverbal. Talk to your child. Tell them you’re not scared of them or their feelings. HUG THEM! Let them know they are safe with you," she said.
“Let’s keep going,” she added.
Saab is open about the details of Pancho's birth story, cerebral palsy, and how he bravely fought through his health challenges.
Saab previously shared that Pancho can now also pull himself up to stand up on his own, and has made significant walking and speech progress.
In 2023, Pancho started going to regular school.
Saab and her husband Jim Bacarro have a second son named Vito.
—Nika Roque/CDC, GMA Integrated News
