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By Carlos Diego A. Rozul LoveYourself relaunches its YouTube channel with new exciting shows! Don't miss out on what we have in store for you moving forward to our new normal. Hosted and produced by our various volunteers and ambassadors, it has been one of LoveYourself's Integrated Communications Team (iCOMM) collaborative project yet. Previously, the YouTube channel was used as a video repository for LoveYourself's different campaigns and events. However, iCOMM Creatives lead Ria Brines saw the importance of maximizing available social media platforms of the organization. LoveYourself TV envisions itself as an avenue for audiences and supporters of the organization to contribute to the HIV advocacy by simply watching, commenting, liking, and subscribing to the YouTube channel. Through a strategic content plan featuring the different intersections of advocacies LoveYourself has engaged in. Pa'ano  is a sexual health series featuring LoveYourself volunteer, Peachy Robe

By: Joel Donato Ching Jacob Amy asked why I felt that I wanted to meet with her. I answered, “I wanted to meet with you because I do not want to meet with you.” I didn’t know it then, but I have social anxiety. I am not sure how it feels for other people I can only relay how it feels for me. It does feel like I was going crazy because I get upset over conflicting fears. I get overwhelmed with fears of missing out but I am also afraid of people. I dislike interacting with people. Some of my friends find it hard to get on board with the idea; maybe I did too at the start. I can be loud. I can be fun. I am the guy you can expect to call for the waiter at the restaurant or to ask for the manager if we had complaints in a venue. I love dancing in the clubs. I am not the least bit shy, so social anxiety seemed like the least of my problems. Illustration by Isaac Brines But I was also very flaky. I would agree to go to events and I would be ready but I would cancel at the last minute. The ide

By: Ryan Taborada Restricted mobility in Cebu City due to imposed lockdowns has posed a real challenge for its residents who continually need to avail of HIV-related services by LoveYourself White House. Knowing that testing and access to medication is critical to combat the spread of HIV, LoveYourself continues to open its door to anyone who needs its services. Except on holidays, LoveYourself White House remains open from Wednesdays through Sundays, with temporarily reduced service hours of 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., cut-off time at 4 p.m. Starting on May 20, 2020, the center will operate from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 6 p.m. cut-off time. Its return to its regular hours of 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. will be announced once this becomes viable.  To keep the in-person antiretroviral (ARV) refill uninterrupted for those undergoing treatment, LoveYourself has recently activated the Xpress Refill program. They may now receive ARV refill via delivery by registering here: go.loveyourself.ph/xpressrefill . “It i

By LoveYourself Communications The fight on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues alongside the battle with COVID-19 as the nation observed the Philippine International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (PIACM) on May 17 for the Light Up, an online concert ceremony. Following the imposition of the physical distancing, the Philippine HIV community gathered virtually for “Light Up” in commemorating the lives of people we have lost to HIV and celebrating the progress we have made through the years in our fight against the disease. Hosted by Tim Yap and Patrixia Santos, the online event was streamed on the PIACM Facebook page. Highlights of Light Up included the inspirational messages from UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, and staunch HIV advocate, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. Wurtzbach said, "Despite these trying times, we light up each candle as a symbol of our stronger faith and serves as a pint of hope that we all need ri

By LoveYourself Communications To break stigma and discrimination, this year's Philippine International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (PIACM) asked the community to share their distinct, and compelling stories of HIV online through a photo essay contest called "Light Up My HIV Story." Nearly 50 stories were collected, and most of them are genuinely moving and inspirational. Some talked about their own HIV journey while some talked about how they become a supporter of the community. The Light Up My HIV Story photo essay contest winners were announced during the celebration part of the PIACM 2020 event last May 17. Winning the first place was Anthony Louie David with his photo essay entitled: " Unconditional Love ." This entry talks about Anthony's HIV journey as someone living with HIV. He likened his status into being swallowed up by the waves or play along with it. Anthony described that he felt like huge waves crashing over him following the death of his partn

LoveYourself Communications MANDALUYONG CITY (May 14, 2020) – Advocacy queens Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray will be leading side by side the first-ever online concert ceremony of the Philippine International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (IACM) on Sunday, May 17, at 4PM. Dubbed as " Light Up ," the online concert ceremony has two parts: Commemoration and Celebration. UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach will head the Light Up's commemoration part alongside community movers, government officials, and private institutions. One of the highlights of the commemorative event is a ceremonial candle lighting to be led by Miss Universe - Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados. Staunch HIV advocate, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, will top bill Light Up's celebration part, showcasing a free online concert. Performing at the show are exceptional Filipino artists: Katrina Velarde, Nina, 4th Impact, Jed Madela, The Company, Ice Seguer

By Tino Lagardo As the world wrestles with the COVID-19 pandemic, we must continue fighting a battle we have begun – our war against HIV. After all, the need for public awareness, education, and treatment has never taken a backseat even in these unprecedented times. More than ever, we need hope now, and we’d love to spark a glimmer of light in you through “LIGHT UP: The 2020 Philippine International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (PIACM) Ceremony” on May 17, 2020, at 4PM Themed “We remember – We take action – We live beyond HIV”, this candle-lighting and online concert centers on care and compassion, coinciding with the annual International Candlelight Memorial, happening every third Sunday of May. LIGHT UP aims to express our undying love for and unwavering support to those who have lost their lives to HIV and to celebrate the great strides the community has made to advance HIV advocacy. With the shift to online streaming, this year’s celebration is uniquely special as we forge on and beat

By Dan Guevara I arrived at LoveYourself Anglo 30 minutes before the call time. I made sure to come early so I could review the flow of my first session today. I noticed that the function room was colder than the usual, maybe because I was feeling jittery, excited and anxious. I patiently waited for three people who I will be meeting for the first time. Questions raced in my head. What would they look like? What are their issues? How could I probably help them? Finally they arrived in trickles. The first one who arrived looked at me and asked “Hindi pa ba tayo mag-uumpisa?” His commanding voice was firm. I just smiled and responded calmly, “Yes, we are about to start.” That day marked the beginning of our 12-session journey in the Flourish Circle. The Flourish Circle , is a community-based initiative designed for people who are experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. The program aims to offer an avenue where individuals could feel safe as they go through t