HAPPY AND – It’s a happy coincidence that May 10 is Lupus day and the birthday of Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar. You see, the congresswoman, nicknamed Em, is a lupus victim and survivor. One who’s happy and accomplished….and has been helping those afflicted with lupus.
A lawyer, Em is the wife of Sec. Mark Villar (Department of Public Works and Highways) and mother to cute and pretty Emma Therese, turning two on Sept. 21. Her main advocacy is helping those with lupus, a skin disorder which can be managed through medication.
Em thought all along that there would be no birthday celebration on May 10 as her husband Mark was accompanying President Duterte in an out-of-the-country trip that day. But it turned out that Mark prepared a surprise lunch for Em, inviting so-called Lupus warriors and media friends at Annabel’s QC.
“I didn’t even have time to put make-up on,” Em smiled looking lovingly at Emma Therese and Mark.
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SHOWBIZ ‘CONNECT’ – For those looking for Em’s showbiz connect, the late Rico Yan and his elder brother Bobby are her first cousins.
Her birthday party guests included basketball players and Patricia Javier and Inez Veneracion, who are supporters of Em’s Hope for Lupus campaign.
And yes, the Em-Mark love story is one for GMA’s “Magpakailanman” and ABS-CBN’s “Maalala Mo Kaya.”
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CAUSE AND SYMPTOMS OF – This isn’t a medical column but upon the request of lupus warriors, Highspeed enumerates cause and symptoms of skin disorder.
The exact cause of lupus is not known, but some experts believe that some people are born with certain genes that affect how the immune system works. These people are more likely to get lupus.
Then the number of other things can trigger lupus attacks, including viral infections.
The common symptoms of Lupus:
Constant fatigue; achy joints; a butterfly-shape rash around the cheeks and nose; hair loss, blood clots; sensitivity to light; chest pains when breathing; swelling in the extremities or around the eyes.
Well to be certain, consult a doctor.