Ben&Ben's percussionist Toni Muñoz diagnosed with Bell's palsy
The percussionist of OPM band Ben&Ben has been diagnosed with Bell's palsy.
In an Instagram post on Oct. 12, Toni Muñoz said she's been intending to share a life update with everybody but only had the headspace and courage to do so lately.
The diagnosis, she said, came a few days before Ben&Ben flew to Sydney in Australia for its 1MX show.
"The left side of my face is paralyzed," Muñoz said, "so as some of you might have noticed (lalo na sa mga na-meet namin sa Sydney), I can only wear half a smile, and there’s bit of change in the way I speak."
She said she's "slowly getting used to this day by day, but I wouldn’t be truthful if I said that it’s easy."
"It’s a roller coaster of an experience, physically, mentally, emotionally. But I am still very grateful to be surrounded by very loving people who have given me support and care these past few days," Muñoz said, adding she's grateful that she can still play and sing nevertheless.
Noting she will recover eventually, she said she's "just putting this out here" so fans won't be surprised upon seeing her—inasmuch as she can come to terms with her condition.
"Sa ngayon, kahit kalahati lang ang aking mga ngiti, buo pa rin ‘yan galing sa aking (puso)."
"Kasali talaga sa buhay ang mga sorpresa," Muñoz said. "Kaya nga ito maganda. Marami pa ring dapat ipagpasalamat."
She also wrote a postscript saying, "See you, Dubai!"
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bell's palsy is a neurological disorder that causes paralysis or weakness on one side of the face. One of the nerves that controls muscles in the face becomes injured or stops working properly.
Symptoms that lead to significant facial distortions include sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of your face, a drooping eyebrow and mouth, drooling from one side of your mouth, and difficulty closing an eyelid, which causes eye dryness.
People living with Bell's palsy, like celebrities George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, and Katie Holmes, to name a few, may also develop facial pain or abnormal sensations, excessive tearing in one eye, problems with taste, low tolerance for loud noises, pain around the jaw and behind the ear, and problems eating or drinking.