Award-winning child actress Xyriel Manabat portrays the role of a progeria-striken teenager named Rochelle, who, despite her ailment, lives a normal life in ABS-CBN’s “Maalaala Mo Kaya” this Saturday (December 20).

At 5 years old, Rochelle’s body was overtaken by progeria, a rare genetic condition that causes a child’s body to show signs of aging. She was told by her doctor that she could expect to live only up to 15 years old. As the sad truth settles in Rochelle’s mind, she decides to live her short life to the fullest and experience things normal people experience–including falling in love.

Will love keep Rochelle’s high hopes to live, or will it cause her more pain?

Also starring in the upcoming “MMK” episode are Paul Salas, Aiko Melendez, Dang Cruz, Maggie Dela Riva, Ian De Leon, Eva Darren, Crispin Pineda, Paolo Angeles, Ishmael Claverio, Carlo Lacana, Andrei Garcia, and JM Ibañez as Angeline. It is directed by Mae Cruz- Alviar and written by Mary Rose Colindres and Arah Jell Badayos.

“MMK” is led by business unit head Malou Santos and creative manager Mel Mendoza-del Rosario.

Capturing the hearts of Filipino viewers all over the world for the past 23 years, “Maalaala Mo Kaya” has legions of fans from different generations who cried, laughed, fell in love, and got inspired through the real-life narratives of the show’s letter-senders.

Don’t miss the longest-running drama anthology in Asia, “MMK,” every Saturday, 7:15PM, after “Home Sweetie Home” on ABS-CBN. For more updates, log on to MMK.abs-cbn.com, follow @MMKOfficial on Twitter, and “like” Facebook.com/MMKOfficial. Tweet your thoughts about this Saturday’s episode by using the hashtag #MMKRochellesTime.

Meanwhile, viewers may also catch up on full episodes and past episodes of “MMK” through ABS-CBNmobile. For more information, please go to www.abscbnmobile.com.