Officially golden!✨

Last night, I didn’t let my Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) stop me from celebrating my 50th birthday with my loved ones. It feels like just yesterday when I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 40. I jokingly called it my “midlife crisis,” but here I am, 10 years later—still standing strong, with a fire in my heart.

Since my diagnosis, I knew I had to make some big changes for the sake of my health. So, I made the tough decision to leave a career in hotel operations and pivot into a new role that would allow me to work from home. I studied, relearned, and eventually found my footing in marketing, social media, content writing, and graphic design.

But beyond career shifts, I discovered something even more powerful: my voice. As an advocate, I’ve been determined to inspire other patients—especially my fellow Filipinos—to stand tall and break the stigma around living with a chronic illness. Yes, it’s a condition that’s often considered “embarrassing,” but we deserve to be seen, heard, and respected—without shame or hesitation.

It hasn’t been easy. There are days when I’m tired and overwhelmed when the weight of it all feels heavier than ever. But I also know that each day is a gift, and circumstances can change in an instant. So, I choose to live a life of purpose, to push forward, and to make a difference in any way I can.

I suppose it was a fitting choice to sing Lisa Lisa and The Cult Jam's "Lost in Emotion" to bid goodbye to my forties and say hello to a new decade. As the lyrics go, “Que sera, que sera.” 🎶 Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to embrace what life throws my way.

I celebrated my golden year just the way I wanted - Karaoke Night at Good Night John Boy in San Diego with my loved ones 🎤