Manila, Philippines — What began as a fun daily treat turned into a terrifying medical emergency for one Filipino family. A 9-year-old boy was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) last week after reportedly consuming milk tea every day for over a month — a heartbreaking situation that’s now serving as a cautionary tale for all parents.

According to the child’s mother, milk tea had become her son’s favorite drink. “It started as a weekend reward,” she said in an emotional interview. “Then it became part of his daily routine after school. We didn’t think it was dangerous.”

But a few weeks later, the child began experiencing unusual symptoms — including dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, and a sudden spike in blood sugar levels. Initially dismissed as fatigue, the condition quickly worsened. By the time he was taken to the hospital, he was unresponsive and had to be admitted to the ICU for close monitoring.

Doctors diagnosed the child with acute pancreatitis, a condition that can be triggered by excessive sugar and fat intake. According to attending physicians, the daily consumption of sweetened beverages — particularly those high in refined sugar, artificial flavoring, and dairy fats — played a significant role in the development of his condition.

“People underestimate the health risks of milk tea,” said Dr. Anton Lopez, a pediatric endocrinologist. “Most large servings contain excessive amounts of sugar — some even more than a can of soda. When consumed regularly, especially by children, the effects can be harmful.”

This case is not isolated. In recent years, health professionals have warned about the rising number of children with early-onset obesity, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease — all linked to lifestyle and dietary choices.

Nutritionist Mia Santiago explained that the combination of sugar, full-fat creamers, and flavored syrups in milk tea creates a dangerous cocktail when consumed frequently. “A single cup may look harmless, but if it’s consumed daily without proper hydration, balanced meals, and physical activity, it adds up quickly.”

Social media has amplified the popularity of milk tea shops, with many children and teens following trends that glamorize sugary drinks and oversized servings. Unfortunately, not all parents are aware of what goes into these drinks or the potential risks involved.

Following her son’s recovery, the mother is now advocating for more awareness. “I don’t blame anyone but myself,” she said. “I thought I was giving him a harmless treat. Now, I want other parents to know: this can happen to anyone.”

She urges other families to read nutritional labels, encourage water and natural fruit drinks, and treat sugary beverages as occasional indulgences rather than daily habits.

Public health officials echo the sentiment. The Department of Health is now pushing for clearer nutrition guidelines in food and beverage marketing aimed at children. Some lawmakers have also proposed sugar taxes on beverages with high calorie and sugar content.

Schools and communities are also encouraged to promote healthy alternatives and offer more nutritional education, especially to young children who are forming lifelong habits.

For many parents, this story serves as a wake-up call. While milk tea may seem like a harmless trend, the long-term effects of unchecked consumption can lead to serious health consequences — even for children who appear otherwise healthy.

“I wish I had known earlier,” the mother added. “But if our story can help even one family think twice, then something good can still come from what we went through.”

As her son continues to recover at home, now on a strict diet and monitored sugar intake, the family hopes to raise awareness and prevent similar cases from happening to others.

Because sometimes, it’s not the big dangers we expect — but the small ones we overlook — that put our loved ones at risk.