I’m sharing my story because living gluten-free in the Philippines isn’t easy—especially when you come from a Filipino family where food is everything. Our gatherings revolve around the dining table, and our love language is home-cooked meals, shared plates, and second helpings.
I have celiac disease. I’m the first in my family to be diagnosed, and explaining what that means hasn’t always been easy. It's not just avoiding bread or pasta—it's saying no to lumpia, adobo, halo halo, and so many other dishes I grew up loving. One tiny bit of gluten can make me seriously sick. It’s not a diet trend. It’s a lifelong autoimmune condition that changed how I live—and eat—every single day.
At first, I felt isolated. I didn’t want to seem difficult or ungrateful, especially around family. But slowly, things started to shift. My husband learned how to read labels with me. My kids started checking ingredients before preparing anything for me. My family and friends even began making sure I would have options with gluten-free versions when they invite me out or to their homes. They even check out "cross-contamination"! These are the moments that warm my heart.
These pages were meant for families like mine—and maybe yours—who are learning together. I want to share what’s worked for us, our gluten-free finds, to simple ways to make meals to share.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or just trying to support a loved one, I hope this space makes the journey feel less lonely.
Food still brings us together. With a little care and creativity, it still can—even gluten-free.



