Diana Zubiri Opens Up About Her Son’s Cleft Palate And Bullying

Diana Zubiri recently shared the tough journey of raising her son, King, born with a cleft lip and palate. The celebrity mom faced fear, uncertainty, and the struggle for acceptance. She also endured King being bullied at school, along with other challenges, all while raising him as a single mom.

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Diana Zubiri on her son's cleft condition

In an interview with Boy Abunda, Diana reflected on the struggles she and her late first husband, Alex Lopez, faced in supporting King.

"Of course, we were all shocked because we didn't expect it," Diana recalled. "But as a mom, you have to accept it. I didn't accept it right away. It was heavy, but it became okay after a while."

Diana also revealed that her husband at the time had difficulty coming to terms with their son's condition. This emotional struggle played a big part in her decision to keep her first pregnancy private.

"I understood why he felt that way because I felt it too," she admitted. "But we needed to support each other. Unfortunately, he was the first one to let go." This strain eventually led to the couple's separation, but Diana shared that they reconciled and were on good terms before Alex's passing in 2010.

From then on, Diana knew she would eventually have to explain King's condition to him, especially after their family relocated to Australia. That moment came when King mentioned being bullied by a classmate because of his appearance.

"I asked him why he was only bringing it up now," Diana said. "He told me that one of his classmates had bullied him. I prepared myself to explain everything, but my son is smart. He said, 'You don’t need to explain, it's already over'. I apologized to him because he had to go through that experience."

Despite the struggles, Diana expressed gratitude that King is receiving the right medical care in Australia, which she described as the best place for his ongoing treatments.

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"He had surgery when he was just three months old and another at six months. Even now, it's not done," she shared. "I'm happy we're in Australia because it's the best place for his operations."

Diana has since found love again, marrying Filipino-Australian businessman Andy Smith in 2015. The couple have two children together, Alijah and Amira Rose.

Causes of Cleft Palate

A cleft lip and palate is a physical condition of an opening or split in the upper lip and the roof of the mouth, caused when a baby’s facial tissues don't fully develop during pregnancy.

The exact causes of cleft palate are not fully understood. Research suggests it may have genetic origins, while Mayo Clinic notes that environmental factors, such as exposure to certain substances during pregnancy, may also increase the risk.

Treatment Options

Treatment for cleft palate typically involves surgical intervention to repair the opening. According to Mayo Clinic, cleft lip repair is performed between three and six months of age, followed by cleft palate repair between nine and 18 months.

The primary treatment goals are to help the child eat, speak, and hear more effectively while supporting natural facial development.

In addition to surgery, children with cleft palate may require ongoing care from a multidisciplinary team, including speech therapists, orthodontists, and other specialists, to address related challenges and support normal development.

Early diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan are essential for optimal outcomes in children with cleft palate.

Click here for advice from teachers and fellow parents on supporting your child if they experience bullying.