A man with a rare skin condition has been shunned by neighbours who think he is cursed. Antonio Reloj, 26, was born with a severe form of ichthyosis which causes his skin to harden, crack and appear burned. His mother abandoned him when he was around 12, leaving his grandmother to raise him. Antonio's condition worsened as his skin became thicker and harder and his eyesight started to deteriorate as it spread across his face. He previously enjoyed visiting the local market and church but now spends his days hidden in a wooden home after residents started to believe he was an evil spirit - and not actually human. But Antonio now has some hope of being treated after good samaritans took him to capital city Manila to help him find treatment. Antonio, who dreams of becoming an electrician, said he spends his days listening to the radio and tinkering with the electronics.
He said: ''When I was a child I was happy to go outside. People say that I am a ghost. I stay at home now. I dream of being healthy again and having a job, to become an electrician is my dream.My skin hurts a lot when I move too much. I hope people will understand that I am just human like them.’'

Antonio's cousin Jesselyn Rebutar said ignorant locals had dubbed him a ''creature, ghost or monster''.

''They believe he is cursed. It makes me so sad. He has a beautiful smile and is a human being.''