The door to Tony's room is made of sturdy iron grill
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- This is the cell, in which Tony's family locks him up, when they are afraid of his aggressive behaviour, which he shows sometimes. CBM's partner tries to persuade the family not to lock him up. © CBM
Tony Balahar, a relative of Ronaldo, lives with his sister’s family in a cosy little home with dark green walls and a toy telephone in the living room.
The walls in Tony’s room are not coloured. They are made of grey stone. The door to the room is made of sturdy iron grill, suggestive of a prison-like condition. There is a small window with an iron grill that gives a vantage view of the yard outside. The floor is wet, and the place smells of urine. "The family uses the cell to lock up Tony inside when they can’t take care of him", says Brother Roldan.
Tony’s sister Gloria (29) sells fish, and her husband works as a jeepney driver, the typical van used for public transport in the Philippines. The couple’s children Joshua (aged 2) and Cyril Mae (aged 1) are afraid of Tony when he behaves aggressively and excitedly sometimes. Tony is uninhibited and oblivious of the presence of people in his midst; is restless as he keeps moving about the confines of his room, gesturing as if talking to someone.
The walls in Tony’s room are not coloured. They are made of grey stone. The door to the room is made of sturdy iron grill, suggestive of a prison-like condition. There is a small window with an iron grill that gives a vantage view of the yard outside. The floor is wet, and the place smells of urine. "The family uses the cell to lock up Tony inside when they can’t take care of him", says Brother Roldan.
Tony’s sister Gloria (29) sells fish, and her husband works as a jeepney driver, the typical van used for public transport in the Philippines. The couple’s children Joshua (aged 2) and Cyril Mae (aged 1) are afraid of Tony when he behaves aggressively and excitedly sometimes. Tony is uninhibited and oblivious of the presence of people in his midst; is restless as he keeps moving about the confines of his room, gesturing as if talking to someone.
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- Tony is very active and moves constantly. Sometimes, his sister's family is afraid of him. Five years ago, he worked as a car mechanic in Manila. But when he became ill, he returned home to Albay. © CBM
Before his mental problems started, Tony worked as a car mechanic in Manila
Five years ago, Tony had lived in Manila and worked as a car mechanic. It was during this time that he came in to contact with addictive drugs. As a result of his drug abuse, a few months later, Tony developed schizophrenia. And when he returned to the province, he gets locked up by his family in order to confine him in one place. "Locked away, and kept hidden from the prying eyes of neighbours —hundreds of people live like that", says Brother Roldan.
Not giving up easily, Brother Roldan calmly persuaded the family not to keep Tony inside a cell. Brother Roldan is confident that with the antipsychotic drugs it can help improve Tony’s condition. He will be monitored closely by the Holy Face Centre staff, and be given medication free of charge. "With proper medication and treatment, recovery and stability can take place. But treatment for mental disorders is not just for a day or two, and for many it could last a whole lifetime."
Not giving up easily, Brother Roldan calmly persuaded the family not to keep Tony inside a cell. Brother Roldan is confident that with the antipsychotic drugs it can help improve Tony’s condition. He will be monitored closely by the Holy Face Centre staff, and be given medication free of charge. "With proper medication and treatment, recovery and stability can take place. But treatment for mental disorders is not just for a day or two, and for many it could last a whole lifetime."
The mother of Joel (36) worries about her son's future
When it comes to the rehabilitation of persons with mental disabilities, the support of the family is crucial. The mother of Joel Balahar (36), a grand cousin of Ronaldo, worries about her son’s future and would do anything for him. "What will become of him, when I die?", the sturdy old woman asks, as she covers her face with her hands to hide her tears.
Read more about Joel and his mother - "What Will Become of Him When I Die?"
Read more about Joel and his mother - "What Will Become of Him When I Die?"
