Daily TribuneHope for Foundation brings visibility to a silent illness and encourages early detection.
Francis Reyes, Sen. Mark Villar, Emma Villar, HFL president Em Villar and Erica Concepcion Reyes.
The Hope for Lupus Foundation successfully opened the latest run of its public awareness exhibit on 27 May at SM Aura Premier.
Photograph courtesy of SM AURA PREMIER
HFL board and members.
The Hope for Lupus Foundation successfully opened the latest run of its public awareness exhibit on 27 May at SM Aura Premier, marking the first leg of a renewed series in partnership with SM Supermalls. The “Butterfly Exhibit” expanded rollout reinforces the Foundation’s commitment to bringing lupus education and advocacy to more communities across the Philippines.
The event welcomed patients, caregivers, advocates and curious mallgoers, who explored a powerful showcase of visual stories, medical facts and firsthand experiences of Filipinos living with lupus. The exhibit was at SM Aura from 27 to 29 May, at SM Podium from 6 to 8 June; and SM City North EDSA from 22 to 24 August.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting over five million people worldwide. Lupus is a disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. The Hope for Lupus Exhibit aims to demystify a disease often referred to as “the great imitator” due to its wide range of symptoms that mimic other diseases.
The event was led by Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, who established the Foundation after her own diagnosis. Once unable to walk, feed herself, or live independently due to the effects of lupus, Undersecretary. Villar rose to become a national policymaker and tireless advocate for patients like her.
“This exhibit is not just about raising awareness — it’s about restoring dignity, building empathy and making sure no one feels invisible,” Undersecretary Villar said. “Thanks to SM Supermalls, we’re able to bring this message of hope to everyday spaces where people can truly engage with it.”
The exhibit will continue to travel to high-traffic SM malls in Metro Manila, including The Podium, SM North EDSA, and SM Las Piñas or SM Bicutan, expanding its reach across diverse communities.
By hosting the exhibit, SM Supermalls reinforces its commitment to supporting public health and inclusive causes, providing accessible platforms for advocacy through its nationwide footprint.
