Monday, August 15, 2016

#OneLove: A Catalyst to Solve HIV


Wazzup Pilipinas!

“The fight against HIV and AIDS requires #OneLove,” emphasized LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivin G. Pagtakhan.

LoveYourself, an HIV testing, counseling, and peer education advocacy group, urges everyone to unite amidst diversity by joining the #One-love photo shoot on 20-21 August at the DHQ Studios, Alphaland Makati Place, Makati City by registering at go.loveyourself.ph/onelove2016.

#OneLove refreshes the organization’s annual online advocacy campaign called “WearLove,” which is a photo shoot featuring the iconic black LoveYourself shirt and propagating the message of self-worth of people from different walks of life in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Among other social personalities and advocates, #OneLove is supported by actress-blogger Saab Magalona-Bacarro, former Pinoy Big Brother housemate and LGBTQI rights advocate Rica Paras, and Starstruck finalist turned indie actor Prince Estefan.

This campaign became even bolder as LoveYourself aims to help in realizing Miss Universe 2016 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach’s core message of influencing the youth to raise certain causes like HIV awareness that are timely and relevant in the country today.


Together with Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach are (L-R) LoveYourself Volunteer Angelo Camaya & LoveYouself Co-Founder Chris Lagman.

LoveYourself recently gained the support of the Miss Universe together with the Philippine Independence Day Council by donating to the group’s worthwhile activities for HIV causes.

This year, each donor-model will have a white LoveYourself tee, make-up, and two digital copies of the photos for a donation of Php1,000 only. The campaign will also highlight the passion of each donor-model by replacing “Yourself” in the printed LoveYourself text with words (e.g., Dancing, Swimming, Arts, etc…) that cultivates his/her self-worth.

#OneLove’s sales proceeds will help fund LoveYourself’s free and confidential HIV screening, counseling, peer education and community building activities for highly vulnerable populations, such as the youth.

For June 2016 alone, there are 682 newly diagnosed persons living with HIV between ages 15-34 years old according to the latest data from the Department of Health- Epidemiology Bureau.

Pagtakhan said “The only way for the youth to keep on applying and revisiting the idea of sexual health care through self-worth is constantly refreshing and developing programs and activities that are relatable to their current environment and would cater to their needs.”

Contributing around 50% of total diagnosed PLHIV in Metro Manila annually since 2014, LoveYourself encourages the public to visit its testing clinics -LoveYourself Anglo along Shaw and LoveYourself Uni in Taft-Buendia. Both clinics are open every Wednesdays to Saturdays from 12:00 nn -7:00 p.m., and Sundays at 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

To know more about LoveYourself services and information about HIV testing and related topics, visit the organization’s official website at www.loveyourself.ph, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/loveyourself.ph/ and follow us on Twitter at @LoveYourselfPh and Instagram at @loveyourself.ph.

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