Free, Anonymous and Fast HIV Test for World AIDS Day

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In celebration of World AIDS Day this December, LoveYourself, Inc., the leading non-government organization on HIV awareness and testing in the Philippines, will again hold its free, anonymous, and fast community-based screening on 27 November at Victoria Court Malate in Manila.

Dubbed as LoveYourself Incognito 2.0, the organization invites interested individuals to register at go.loveyourself.ph/incognito who can be assured of quality service, as this one-day testing activity is supported by the Department of Health- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM), Pilipinas Shell Foundation and Mister Gay World Philippines Organization (MGWPO).

LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivinn G. Pagtakhan said “With this kind of HIV testing day, we always ensure utmost confidentiality and promptness of procedure to best protect and serve our clients.”

“We are also expanding our reach to cover untapped populations who are scared to know their HIV status,” Pagtakhan relayed. He added that while the event focuses on the male population, the group also welcomes females and transgender friends to avail of the free, anonymous, and fast HIV testing service.

Emphasizing on the significance of early detection of HIV, MGWPO Board of Director Ryan D. Soto underscored that “It is not the virus that kills them, it is the pride and stigma.”

In August alone, the DOH-Epidemiology Bureau reported that there are 764 newly-diagnosed people living with HIV (PLHIV), while only 611 PLHIVs who have been diagnosed up to that month have sought treatment.

Alarmed over the huge fallout from the newly-diagnosed PLHIV to immediately enroll to HIV treatment, Pagtakhan said “We are tying testing with treatment to further help our kababayans to live their lives to the fullest even with HIV.”

Property Auction Instant Hit In Housing Fair

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Property portal Lamudi Philippines’ first foray in gathering together various real estate movers and players in the country today reported successful returns in sales and attendees. Held last November 18 to 20 at the Megatrade Hall 3, SM Megamall, the recently concluded Lamudi Housing Fair, was opened by PRC Board of Real Estate Service Chairman Dr. Eduardo G. Ong.

“The event offers great opportunities for homebuyers and well participated by real estate players,” shared by Dr. Ong as he welcomes guests and the press in the first day of the three-day event.

One major partner, My Saving Grace Realty & Development Corporation, generated a total of Php25 million worth of properties sold during the event’s property auction. “This proves that many Filipinos are appreciating the saleability and investment yield of foreclosed properties and we are now seeing a new trend in real estate buying in the form of property auctions,” said Jacqueline van den Ende, Managing Director of fair organizer Lamudi Philippines and MyProperty.ph.

The fair was attended by more than 2,500 visitors comprised of interested homebuyers, investors, property bidders, and seminar attendees. Other event highlights were the full-house investment and homebuying seminars conducted by industry experts and the discounts offered by various developers and other real estate related companies.

Joanne Almaden, CEO of Philippine Property Expert, talked about a hot topic: investment guide on pre-selling condos.

Lamudi Housing Fair seminar rooms were full-house during the three-day event. Colliers International Philippines Research Manager Joey Bondoc talked on current market conditions and where the biggest investment opportunities can be found. He also discussed his outlook regarding the most profitable real estate locations in the Philippines.

Cover Photo Caption: Dr. Eduardo G. Ong (third from right) Chairman of the Professional Regulation Commission - Board for Real Estate Service opened the Lamudi Housing Fair together with Jacqueline van den Ende (third from left), Managing Director of Lamudi Group Philippines, Claro Cordero, Associate Director for Research, JLL (second from right). Also present were (from left) Ma. Cristina Cruz, Senior Account Manager of Lhoopa Inc.; Armie Nozal, Senior Project Consultant of Solid Pattern Homebuilders Corp.; and Gilles Hage, Head of Corporate Partnerships of Lamudi Group Philippines. (Photo courtesy of Hardwarezone Philippines)

Honorio Banario Stronger As Lightweight, Ready for Another Spectacular Performance

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Baguio City’s veteran striker Honorio “The Rock” Banario (10-6) is ready to return to the ONE Championship cage next Friday, 2 December at ONE: AGE OF DOMINATION. The 27-year-old lightweight standout is scheduled to face Indian boxer Rajinder “Knockout” Singh Meena (8-2) in a three-round undercard bout.

Banario, a winner of his last two fights, says he is wrapping up training and ready to make the trip down to Manila for fight night.

“I’m a hundred percent ready to go back in there again. In victory or in defeat, I will never stop doing what I love to do,” said Banario.

“I never stop training. I train all year round. Whether I have an upcoming fight or not, I’m always prepared. True martial artists are always in search of perfection of their craft. I can’t wait to go back inside the cage and show the world how much better I have gotten.”

Banario’s opponent, Singh Meena, is expected to give him another stiff challenge. Singh Meena has eight victories on his fight resume, but more impressively, all of his victories have come by exciting finish which includes five submissions and three knockouts.

Because both fighters do not know how to back down and will most likely engage in a fan-friendly affair, Banario fully expects fireworks for however long the fight will last.