MANILA, Philippines—At the heart of Filipino gatherings—fiestas, birthdays, reunions, even funerals—food is celebration, tradition, and love. But behind each plate of lechon, pancit, and rice may lie a bitter truth: the growing threat of diabetes. As the Philippines marks Diabetes Awareness Month this November, new data reveal that the disease remains one of the country’s top killers. Its toll is worsening silently each year, even as thousands remain undiagnosed. According to the Department of Health (DOH), over 656,000 Filipinos were diagnosed with diabetes in 2024, a significant increase from previous years. But the real figure is likely much higher.  The […]... Keep on reading: Diabetes rising in PH: How culture and diet fuel the crisis