Over 4.7 million Filipino adults are now living with diabetes, many of them unaware until symptoms or complications show up. It’s a worrying number, especially since lifestyle and family history play major roles. But while the disease is lifelong, it doesn’t have to define your life.
With the right care, nutrition, and consistency, Filipinos like Edna, Ramon, and Salvador are proof that it’s possible not just to manage diabetes — but to thrive.
Redefining Life with Diabetes
Edna Panaligan Sta. Ana, 64, learned she had diabetes during a casual check-up at the mall. Her blood sugar was over 200 mg/dL — far from the healthy range. Instead of giving up, she decided to take charge.
Now, Edna starts each morning with light exercise and healthy, home-cooked meals filled with vegetables and fiber. She also takes Glucerna, a diabetes-specific nutritional drink, twice a day — one in the morning and one before bed. Her consistency has paid off: her blood sugar now stays around 120 mg/dL.
She even uses her Facebook page Elderly of Santa Maria Bulacan to inspire other seniors to live healthier lives. “It’s not about restriction,” she says. “It’s about finding balance.”
Ramon Borromeo, 62, was diagnosed with diabetes while working as a seaman — without showing any symptoms. At first, he just followed his doctor’s orders. But years later, when he began experiencing nighttime chills and shaking (signs of hypoglycemia), his doctor recommended taking Glucerna before bed to help stabilize his glucose levels overnight.
The results? His blood sugar dropped from 162 mg/dL to 108 mg/dL — and he finally gets restful sleep. “I used to wake up trembling. Now, I sleep through the night,” he shares.
For Salvador Baroro, 64, his wake-up call came when his blood sugar spiked to 332 mg/dL in 2015. As a bakery owner, sweets were part of his daily routine — until he realized it was costing him his health.
He shut down his shop, focused on daily mountain hikes, and replaced his sugary rewards with Glucerna morning and night. The transformation was dramatic: he lost nearly 60 kilos and brought his blood sugar down to 105 mg/dL.
“It’s not just my health that changed,” Salvador says. “It’s my life.”
Nutrition That Empowers, Not Restricts
For people with diabetes, nutrition isn’t just about cutting sugar — it’s about giving your body what it truly needs. Diabetes-specific formulas like Glucerna are designed to release glucose slowly, improve insulin sensitivity, and support heart health — helping you stay energized and in control throughout the day.
When paired with medication and an active lifestyle, it can help make diabetes management sustainable.
Because thriving with diabetes isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress.
Glucerna® is available in leading supermarkets, pharmacies, and online stores nationwide.
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