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 world marks Diabetes Awareness Month this November, new data reveal that the disease remains one of the Philippines’ top killers. Its toll continues to grow silently each year, with thousands still unaware they are living with the condition. 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 […]... Keep on reading: Diabetes rising in PH: How culture and diet fuel the crisis