Welcome to Dear Colitis
Hello! I'm Demi. I was born and raised in the Philippines and moved to the United States in 2006. In 2015, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the large intestine. This diagnosis led to significant lifestyle changes (including switching careers) and deepened my understanding of health and personal resilience.
Since then, I've been on a journey to understand this condition and find ways to manage it, striving to maintain a normal life as much as possible. By sharing my story, I hope to connect with fellow Filipinos and others dealing with this challenging disease. In our culture, it can often be difficult to discuss such illnesses openly due to stigma or the pressure to 'fit in.' But silence can be isolating.
To anyone grappling with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), I encourage you to share your experiences as well. You're not alone in this fight—let's support one another and navigate this journey together.
Hindi kayo nag-iisa, laban lang.
It started in 2014.
This was was taken on my 40th birthday, unfiltered. Smiling but also hiding a little secret - that I’ve been having episodes of bloody diarrhea the past few months. Later on I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, and life was never the same since then.
About me.
I was born and raised in Quezon City, but life’s adventures have brought me to sunny San Diego, where I now live with my wonderful husband, Jerry. I earned my degree in Art Studies from the University of the Philippines Diliman, but as fate would have it, practicality led me into hospitality—a field I devoted 24 years to until the pandemic reshaped my path. These days, I work remotely for a real estate and hospitality management company, which means I can work from anywhere. And by anywhere, I mean always being close to a restroom, never stressing over what to wear, and no longer having to face clients like I used to! As an empath—an energy sponge—this career shift has been a refreshing break, giving me the space to prioritize my overall well-being.
I have a deep love for food—especially the kind that loves me back. Navigating life with ulcerative colitis has turned me into a gut-health enthusiast, always on the lookout for new products and creative ways to recreate my favorite dishes. I don’t have celiac disease, but I’ve found that my gut behaves much better when I avoid gluten and dairy, so I’ve embraced the role of a gluten-free explorer, always hunting for the best gluten-free finds wherever I travel. My latest kitchen quest? Mastering the art of gluten-free pandesal. While I still long for the days of carefree snacking on popcorn and sashimi, my love for travel keeps me motivated to stay as healthy as possible, so Jerry and I can continue exploring the world together.
Right now, I’m grateful to be in remission, filling my days with K-dramas, French lessons, and the ongoing challenge of keeping my plants alive. Through it all, I continue to share my experiences in hopes of inspiring others who are navigating gut health, gluten-free living, chronic illness, and life’s unexpected detours.
Life may not have followed the script I once imagined, but it’s a story I cherish—one filled with resilience, adventure, and plenty of love.
“Be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”
IAN MCLAREN