Frenchie Dy opens up about battling Bell’s Palsy

Vocal powerhouse Frenchie Dy turned to social media to share her third battle with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face.

In a series of Facebook videos, Dy recalled that this was not the first time she had experienced facial paralysis.

“First attack, grade 5,” she recalled, explaining that her first episode was mild, and her parents initially thought it was just a muscular disorder.

Her second attack came in 2006, just two years after winning Star in a Million in 2004.

“So nanalo ako ng Star in a Million 2004, then 2006 nagkaroon ako ng Bell’s Palsy. Ang hirap noon, kasi pag-gising ko, hindi na talaga siya gumagalaw. May guesting pa ako noon sa Wowowee, so nung tinawagan ko sila, sabi ko hindi ko na magalaw ang mukha ko. Hindi ko alam kung na-stroke ako o ano ba ito. Buti na lang hindi ako na-stroke—thank you, Lord.”

(So I won Star in a Million in 2004, then in 2006 I had Bell’s Palsy. It was hard at that time, because when I woke up, it wasn’t moving at all. I was still guesting on Wowowee, so when I called them, I said I couldn’t move my face. I don’t know if I had a stroke or what. Luckily I didn’t have a stroke—thank you, Lord).

Now, after almost two decades, Dy is facing another battle with the condition. She described her latest symptoms, noting a difference in taste sensation.

“So after 19 years, eto na naman siya. Nakakaloka kasi yung dila ko—iba ang lasa. Yung kanan na dila ko, walang lasa, yung kaliwa may lasa. So ang weird talaga.”

Here it is again—my tongue feels weird. It tastes different. My right tongue has no taste, my left tongue has taste (so it's really weird).

Dy revealed that she is scheduled for a series of medical tests, including an MRI on 14 February to determine if there are underlying causes behind her recurring condition.

“Hindi ko rin naiintindihan kung bakit pabalik-balik siya, so malalaman ko ang dahilan after ng mga tests. MRI sa Valentine’s Day! I’m praying na hindi ito serious, at Bell’s Palsy lang talaga at makaka-recover ako.”

(I also don't understand why it keeps coming back, so I'll find out the reason after the tests. MRI on Valentine's Day! I'm praying that it's not serious, and that it's just Bell's Palsy and that I'll recover).

While Dy remains optimistic, she admitted that the condition has affected her daily life and responsibilities, especially as a mother.

“Hindi ako nahiya ipost. Oo, pinanghinaan ako ng loob, kasi ang dami kong hindi magawang trabaho, pati mommy duties ko. Naiisip ko ang mga anak ko, pero ganun ata talaga.”

(I wasn't ashamed to post. Yes, I was discouraged, because I couldn't do a lot of work, including my mommy duties. I think about my children, but that's really it).

Despite the challenges, Dy remains hopeful and grateful for the encouragement she has received.

“Nagdasal ako. Alam ko, Lord, na ibinigay mo ‘to sa akin. Naniniwala ako na hindi mo ibibigay ang mga hamon sa atin kung hindi natin malalagpasan. At hindi natin ito malalagpasan ng mag-isa—kailangan natin ang isa’t isa.”

(I prayed. I know, Lord, that you gave this to me. I believe that you wouldn’t give us challenges if we couldn’t overcome them. And we can’t overcome them alone—we need each other).

Fans and fellow artists have been sending prayers and well-wishes for Dy’s speedy recovery, hoping she will be back on stage soon, doing what she loves most—singing.

Dy was rose as the winner of ABS-CBN's singing show "Star in a Million" beating the other grand finalists OJ Mariano and Nyco Maca.