ALS Philippines

29/08/2026

12/08/2026

Can you get ALS?

01/08/2026

💙 Reminder for People Living with ALS in the Philippines

If you have been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), you are generally eligible to apply for a Persons with Disability (PWD) ID.

Who is eligible?
ALS is recognized as a rare disease in the Philippines and may also qualify under physical disability. Since ALS is typically considered a non-apparent disability, a medical certificate or Certificate of Disability from your neurologist is generally required.

How to apply:
Submit your application to your local Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) or City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO). Typical requirements include:
• Accomplished application form
• Medical Certificate or Certificate of Disability
• Valid ID
• Proof of residence
• Recent ID photo(s)
(Requirements may vary slightly depending on your local government.)

Benefits of a PWD ID include:
✅ 20% discount and VAT exemption on eligible medicines
✅ Discounts on medical consultations, laboratory tests, and hospital services
✅ Discounts on domestic land, sea, and air transportation
✅ Discounts at restaurants, recreational establishments, and other benefits provided by law
✅ Priority lanes and access to available local government assistance programs

If you or your loved one has ALS and has not yet applied for a PWD ID, consider visiting your local PDAO to learn more about the application process.

01/08/2026

Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis?

Your mind is fully awake, but you can’t move your body. It may even feel like you can’t breathe. Yet you’re completely aware of everything around you.

As ALS progresses, many people with ALS may feel as though they are trapped inside a body that no longer responds, while their mind remains clear.

Imagine living with that reality every second of every day.

01/08/2026

As we begin a new month, we pause to pray for every life touched by ALS.

For every warrior facing another day with courage.
For every family carrying both hope and heartbreak.
For every caregiver whose love is shown through quiet acts of sacrifice.
For every advocate working to raise awareness and bring hope to others.

May this August be a month of renewed strength, deeper compassion, and unwavering faith. May we continue to stand beside one another, celebrate every victory no matter how small, and find comfort in knowing that no one walks this journey alone.

If this prayer speaks to your heart, we invite you to say “Amen” in the comments and remember our entire ALS community in your prayers today.

27/07/2026

Could these be the early signs of ALS?

Learn about the possible early signs and symptoms of ALS and why recognizing persistent or progressive muscle weakness is important.

23/07/2026

ALS: A DISEASE THAT SLOWLY TAKES AWAY THE BODY’S ABILITY TO MOVE

Many people have heard of ALS, but few truly understand what it does.

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive neurological disease that attacks the motor neurons, the nerve cells responsible for sending signals from the brain to the muscles.

Imagine your brain as the command center of your body, and your muscles as the machines that carry out those commands. The motor neurons are the communication lines connecting them. In ALS, these communication lines gradually become damaged, causing the signals from the brain to weaken and eventually fail to reach the muscles properly.

At first, ALS may appear as simple weakness, difficulty gripping objects, frequent tripping, muscle twitching, or changes in speech. But as the disease progresses, more and more muscles become affected.

A person may slowly lose the ability to walk, use their hands, speak, swallow, and eventually breathe without assistance.

One of the most heartbreaking realities of ALS is that the mind is often still fully aware while the body continues to lose its abilities. A person can still have their thoughts, memories, emotions, and personality, but their ability to express themselves and interact with the world may become limited.

It can feel like being trapped inside a body that is slowly losing its connection to the outside world.

Here in the Philippines, ALS may not be as widely discussed or recognized compared to other diseases, but it does exist. Every now and then, we receive messages from families who have just learned that their loved one has been diagnosed with ALS.

Although our country still lacks complete epidemiological data showing the true number of Filipinos living with ALS, these messages are a reminder that ALS is affecting real people and real families in our communities.

They may not always be the loudest stories we hear. They may not receive the same attention as other illnesses. But behind every diagnosis is a person, a family, and a life that has suddenly changed.

ALS is a serious and life-changing disease. It deserves awareness, understanding, research, and support.

For every person diagnosed, time becomes precious. Every family needs guidance. Every patient deserves to be seen and heard.

14/07/2026

𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 (𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲)

Although there is still no cure for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), researchers around the world continue to make important progress. Here are some of the latest updates:

𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘-𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬

One of the biggest breakthroughs is Tofersen (Qalsody), the first medicine designed to treat a specific genetic form of ALS caused by a mutation in the SOD1 gene. While it only helps a small percentage of ALS patients, it proves that treating the underlying cause of certain types of ALS is possible.

𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘

Scientists are testing many new treatments, including:

• Gene therapy
• Stem cell therapy
• RNA-based medicines
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Treatments that target TDP-43, an abnormal protein found in most ALS patients

Although these treatments are still being studied, they represent some of the most promising areas of ALS research today.

𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗦

New blood biomarkers, such as Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL), may help doctors diagnose ALS earlier, monitor disease progression, and determine whether new treatments are working more quickly during clinical trials.

𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗦

At present, there are only a few approved medicines for ALS:

• Riluzole (Rilutek) – Helps slow the progression of ALS and may extend survival by a few months.

• Edaravone (Radicava) – May slow the decline in physical function in some patients, especially when started early.

• Tofersen (Qalsody) – Approved only for people with ALS caused by a mutation in the SOD1 gene.

• Nuedexta – This medicine does not slow ALS, but it can help manage Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA), a condition that causes sudden, uncontrollable episodes of laughing or crying. In some patients, it may also improve speech and swallowing.

𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

The medicine Relyvrio (AMX0035) was voluntarily withdrawn from the U.S. market after a larger clinical trial did not confirm that it provided the expected benefit for ALS patients.

𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦

Unfortunately, access to ALS care remains a challenge.

• Riluzole is still not widely available through regular pharmacies and is often obtained through importation or special arrangements.

• Edaravone is available but remains very expensive, making it difficult for many Filipino families to afford.

• The country also has very few ALS specialists and no dedicated national ALS registry.

While there is still no cure, experts believe this is one of the most promising periods in ALS research. Every study and every clinical trial brings us closer to better treatments and, hopefully, one day, a cure.

Our goal is to continue sharing reliable ALS news and updates to help keep the Filipino ALS community informed.

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀:

ALS Network – “A Turning Point for ALS Research: Our Next Step Forward”
https://www.alsnetwork.org/news/a-turning-point-for-als-research-our-next-step-forward/

The ALS Association – “Medications for ALS”
https://www.als.org/navigating-als/living-with-als/medications

National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) – Recent reviews on ALS therapies and biomarkers
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov//