The individual involved in an incident reported at a shopping mall along EDSA Mandaluyong on Monday spoke up following speculations on social media.
Entertainment website CinemaBravo on May 12 posted a picture of a temporary tent set up at the bottom of a staircase on Shangri-La Plaza‘s lower ground floor.
Some of the mall’s security personnel were on site.
A stretcher board could also be spotted inside the tent.
“RIGHT NOW at Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City. Security was immediate in calling the incident a ‘misstep,'” the website said on its Facebook page.
The post has earned buzz among Filipinos who wondered what could the story behind the image.
It has gained 3,800 likes and reactions, 309 shares and over 430 comments so far, with Filipinos asking questions about the incident.
“Did someone fall from the stairs?” a Facebook user wrote.
“What [happened] po?” another user commented.
“Omg. What is it about?” asked a different Pinoy.
“So huhulaan namin kung anong meron???” another user exclaimed.
The incident happened while the country was holding its 2025 midterm elections.
Facebook user Sunny Shine later commented on the intriguing photo and identified herself as the individual who was assisted in the image.
“Hi. I’m the person in this photo. And no, it was not a ‘misstep.’ It was a medical emergency,” she wrote in the comments.
“I’m a person with a disability (PWD) living with a chronic condition that affects how my body responds to heat, stress, and fatigue,” Shine added.
“That afternoon, after voting, I experienced heat exhaustion —which, due to the medication I take, affects me more severely than most. My body has difficulty regulating heat, and I fainted from the strain, falling down the stairs — rolled, according to the report,” she continued.
Reports said that the country experienced warm and humid conditions on Election Day, with some areas recording a “dangerous” heat index.
In Bicol, a 65-year-old voter had collapsed and died after experiencing dizziness. Authorities attributed it to heat-related causes.
“I was unresponsive due to brain fog and fatigue, which, understandably, alarmed the people around me. I’m very grateful to the Emergency Response Group at Shangri-La Plaza for acting quickly, ensuring my safety, and respecting my privacy. They brought me to the hospital, and I’m okay now,” Shine said.
She also disclosed that it was “not the first time” it had happened to her.
“It is part of a condition I manage and live with every day. Not all disabilities are visible,” the user said.
Phe Marquez, another Facebook user, hoped for Shine’s recovery and shared that she asked her kids to approach Shine after witnessing her fall.
“Pagaling ka, iha. Kinabahan ako [nang] makita kitang nahulog. Kaya pinalapitan kita sa mga anak ko. Pero hindi ka nila pwede hawakan. Pinatawag ‘yung emergency response team ng mall. Buti at mabilis [naman] nakarating. Kung maaari, huwag [ka] umalis mag-isa. Ingat,” Marquez commented.
Other users also wished for Shine’s recovery following her revelation.
Meanwhile, there are no updates or posts from the mall regarding the incident.
Shangri-La Plaza is an upscale mall that features high-end brands of fashion, luxury items, accessories and furnishings.
