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“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” -  Lao Tzu The famous pundit’s words have always rung true for people who strove for growth and greater heights. For LoveYourself, these words resonate just as well as the organization reaches a significant milestone. LoveYourself celebrates its 5th anniversary by holding its annual “Circle of Love” festivities, with this year’s event focusing on themes of solidarity in diversity and gratitude as its reaches its 5th year milestone. Circle of Love 2016 will be held on July 2. From a Few Steps to Reaching Out Further The non-profit organization started out with a team of six counselors, then known as VINN Advocacy, named after its founder, Vinn Pagtakhan. “I remember the day when we held our first mass testing activity, and we weren’t even allowed by doctors from the Health Department to counsel by ourselves. They said we weren’t ready [despite the fact that we were more than prepared for it]”, shares the founder of the organizati

By Karl Faustino It was never in Vinn’s wildest dreams that he would eventually give birth to LoveYourself. Almost 5 years later, Vinn recalls how he and his friends raised this baby into the organization that has grown to be the largest, most renowned volunteer group advocating HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in the Philippines. On conceiving LoveYourself Pre-LoveYourself, Vinn was a private person. As an advocate of “World Peace,” it became part of his life to do charity work, most of them outreach events. Back then, he was not yet aware of LGBT and MSM volunteer groups. “I just want to help” became his mantra. When he became a nursing practitioner, he created the twitter profile @TwitrNurse. As his following grew, he found out that most of the questions people asked on social media were slowly becoming more focused on HIV/AIDS, and these mostly came from gay/MSM accounts. Then he realized that the current efforts toward HIV/AIDS is not enough. He then said to himself, “If I wanted

The Philippine Educational Theater Association's (PETA) hit comedy musical Rak of Aegis is making its fifth comeback, running from June 17 to August 28, 2016 with a total of 82 shows. This spectacular theater showcase also comes as PETA gears toward its 50th year celebration. The popular production has garnered over 20 awards and citations since it opened in 2014,  including Outstanding Original Musical, Outstanding Musical Direction, and Outstanding Stage Direction Outstanding Original Libretto, to name a few. The new season will see the Rak ensemble reprise their roles as the colorful Villa Venizians, with two wickedly talented new Aileens - The Voice runner up Alisah Bonaobra and actress Tanya Manalang. Shows run from June 17 to August 28, every Tuesdays to Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays to Sundays at 3 and 8 p.m. at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. Catch the June 19 (Sunday), 8 p.m. show . Twenty percent of ticket sales sold to LoveYourself members for this show wil

On Facebook, Erka Inciong is often snapped hugging friends and carrying a wide smile, but the young artist knows all too well the feelings of loneliness and shame that hound LGBTQI+ persons. A professional graphic artist for a business daily by day, Erka eases into the shoes of an illustrator at night during which she creates powerful images of despair, visualizing the struggles that the LGBTQI+ community and she herself have felt growing up. Erka's work has been on display in "L O S S," an art exhibit celebrating the opening of Warrior Poet Art Cafe and she was also a featured artist in the Metro Manila Pride Queer Arts Festival held earlier this year. This Saturday, Erka also joins Pride Night 2016 and below she explains the comforting emotions she tries to imbue in her work: Could you describe your art? It's an extension of myself. What is the role of your art in empowering LGBT? To make them feel that they are not alone. What can people expect from you when they

When you step onto a dance floor, you let loose all inhibitions, and for Panty Monsters, it should also mean a release from inequality and discrimination. Self-hate and pretention are thrown out the window when you dance to a Panty Monsters set, as members of the "unapologetically insane" DJ group make you feel real good about yourself with their entrancing pop beats. "At a Panty Monsters' party, you are encouraged to be whoever & whatever the fuck you want to be. No T, No Shade," says Darryl Recina, the manager of Panty Monsters, which was formed more than eight years ago. DJ Mike Lavet DJ Queen Bridgette Olga  DJ Peanut Butter & Jelly DJ Mike Lavet, DJ Queen Bridgette Olga and DJ Peanut Butter & Jelly from Panty Monsters will be liberating party goers at  Pride Night 2016  on June 11, 2016 at Pineapple Lab, Makati, and we get a little teaser on how they will make the night a fabulously beastly one. What is your role, if any, in empowering LGBT? Thi

By Jean Natividad Mark Ghosn , monologist and writer of Ampalaya Monologues - an episodic play featuring a collection of monologues about love, heartaches, and bitterness - will take the stage at Pride Night 2016 on June 11 at Pineapple Lab in Makati City . Through Ampalaya Monologues , Ghosn aims to tell the stories of those who've tasted the different flavors of bitterness that love has to offer. The artist has created a powerful art movement and a whole new performance arena, gathering theater actors, spoken word artists, and audiences in galleries, coffee shops, parks, bars, and other venues. See what Ghosn has in store for you on Pride Night 2016 in our Q&A with him below. He also talks about the new instalment of Ampalaya Monologues this Pride Month, so be sure to check that out too. Describe your art. I am a writer and an actor. What is the role of your art in empowering LGBT? Through these monologues, we can share different stories of LGBTQ+ individuals for others t

By Jean Natividad With his chosen materials transformed in ingenious ways, Mars Bugaoan lets us in on his thoughts about themes that are all too familiar to us - the nature of change and constant evolution of all things. The artist makes us take a second look at the everyday transformations we see around us, inviting us to slow down and contemplate the cycle of life. Bugaoan showcases his creativity through a variety of outputs, including photos, fine prints, installations, and mixed media artwork. He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Major in Advertising from the University of Santo Tomas and is currently pursuing his Masters in Fine Arts Degree at the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines Diliman. Read what the artist has to say before viewing his works at Pride Night 2016 set for June 11 at Pineapple Lab in Makati City : How would you describe your work? I produce works that present how the chosen material transforms and evolves. I want t

By Kris Tangco Upcoming artist, Tokwa Peñaflorida, has showcased his works in numerous exhibits and campaigns including Ayala Foundation’s “As One As We Can” and The Red Whistle’s “Red Letter Days”. Tokwa has selflessly created works for advocacies he believes in. Prolific and skillful, with works ranging from paintings to illustrations for children’s books, Tokwa’s compelling works celebrate the beauty of the human form while combining deep and metaphorical narratives.   With eroticism and nudism as prevailing themes, Tokwa’s artworks challenge socially conservative mindsets and conventions by speaking close to human experience. Never smug, Tokwa is an artist who is constantly honing himself. The altruistic artist sits down with LoveYourself’s Editorial Team for a short interview. (Photos provided by Tokwa Peñaflorida) Could you describe your art? I always had this fascination with the concept of sleep and things that have a relationship to it, like dreams, the process of sleeping, be

By Kris Tangco Art director and digital illustrator Josh Galvez spends much of her time working in an ad agency and at the same time creating art, but she also dazzles the 11,000 fans on her YouTube channel Artpalette with digital painting videos. In 2013, Josh Galvez was one-half of a pair that represented the Philippines in the Young Designs Lions category at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, a prestigious creative communications summit held in Cannes, France. Josh also maintains an online exhibit featuring her works, which mainly are illustrations, and digital art. Her works will be featured at LoveYourself’s Pride Night 2016, much of which revolves around the theme of apparent normalcy. (Photos provided by Josh Galvez) “A lot of us have issues we keep buried deep in ourselves even though we pretend we are fine and dandy on the outside. Inside we're already drowning and that we have no choice but to keep afloat no matter what happens. We also have to realize

HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP) - April 2016 Report Past HARP Reports can be accessed through this link

When HIV/AIDS advocate Wanggo Gallaga caught a performance of Daloy Dance Company he was moved by its grace and power, calling it "breathtaking, provocative, and daring." Improvisation, experimentation and polished technique all combine to make the dance theater collective a rising force in the Philippine dance scene. Aside from garnering critical applause, Daloy has become a prolific presence in prestigious local arts festivals such as the Fete de la Musique and Malasimbo Lights and Dance Festival and the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Pasinaya Festival and Performatura Arts Festival. In celebration of the inclusiveness amid diversity that is at the core of Pride Month festivities this June, Daloy Dance Company will perform at Pride Night 2016 . Below they share their unique viewpoint as a dance company and reveal the concept behind their performance this Saturday: Could you describe your performance art? Daloy Dance Company is a Manila-based dance theatre collective f