Old LY Site

By Bet Domingo Over the years, the world has become a more gender inclusive realm, seeing an increase in women’s recognition and contribution to the modern society. In observance of the International Women’s Day (IWD) every 8th of this month, the Philippines celebrates the National Women’s Month every March. Its battlecry since 2017 up to 2022 is “We Make Change Work for Women.” In support for this movement, LoveYourself aims to empower and give a stronger voice to our sisters, mothers, nieces, grandmas and granddaughters as well as our transgender women friends, who can definitely make a great impact in the development of a more accepting and progressive society. We believe that the women, particularly the Filipinas, can surely give the appropriate perspective to the pressing issue of HIV and AIDS, not just in the country, but to the world over. This calls for a great discussion, since women account for 51% of the total global number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) or about 17.4 mil...

By Diego Rozul and Jean Natividad In case you missed it, #LoveSquad , LoveYourself’s fast, easy, and totally anonymous HIV screening day event is happening on November 26, Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Victoria Court Malate . Don’t forget to register here: go.loveyourself.ph/lovesquad . And just in case you need a tad more convincing to show up, we’ve asked our dear squads why making HIV testing your #SquadGoals and a regular part of your self-care routine is important. #ChillSquad L to R: Rv Torres, Fifth Pagotan, Kenn Richmond, Apolo Cuenco, Ernest Gatpandan III Have you been putting off that HIV test even if it’s been months since the three-month rule ? Well it’s about time to get rid of those anxieties and finally relax in knowing your status . You’ll certainly find security and assurance with our lovely volunteers assisting you in every step of the way. Getting tested for HIV shouldn’t be such a daunting task, just ask our #ChillSquad! “Guys, let’s make HIV testing FUN! Me an...

These are the only directions you'll need on  November 26, Sunday, as you head to  #LoveSquad ,   LoveYourself’s fast, easy, and totally anonymous HIV screening day event at Victoria Court Malate . It's from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. , so grab your squad and be sure to drop by. And don't forget to register at go.loveyourself.ph/lovesquad . You'll receive a confirmation message two days before the event (November 24, 2017, Friday). Exact Address Victoria Court Malate, 2184 Madre Ignacia Street corner Quirino Avenue, Malate, Manila From the LRT - Quirino Station / Taft Avenue It will take you about 10 minutes if you walk from LRT-Quirino Station / Taft Avenue. You could also ride a public transportation vehicle going through Quirino Avenue. Ask to be dropped off at Victoria Court, which will be at the right side of the street. From Roxas Boulevard It is only a 5-minute walk from Roxas Boulevard. You could also ride a public transportation vehicle going through Quirino Avenue. Vic...

By Ulysses Konstantin Largado Hang out with us at #LoveSquad on November 26th, 2017, 10 am to 7 pm, at Victoria Court Malate , and experience private, secure, and accurate HIV testing in a fraction of the time—no more than 20 minutes from the time of prick ‘til you see the results on the stick! Quick, isn’t it? Visit go.loveyourself.ph/lovesquad to sign up, and you will receive a confirmation message two days before the event (November 24, 2017, Friday). #LoveSquad marks the fourth Community-Based Screening (CBS) event held by LoveYourself, beginning with Incognito in May 2016. These testing events serve as the organization’s response to the increasing need to reach out to more people for HIV testing. Potential clients who may have not gotten tested because of several factors—be it location, work schedule, lifestyle, even those who are uncomfortable to submit to screening due to stigma or lack of information— are offered a convenient alternative that maintains discretion, efficiency...

By Mark Angello C. Ganon September 30, 2017 – Fresh faces once again dotted the People’s Hall of SM Aura Premier with the orientation of Batch Duque, LoveYourself’s 3rd set of volunteers for 2017. JM Maynes, Love U (the corporate university of LoveYourself) admin, oversaw the batch orientation of 45 promising individuals who underwent and passed a selective recruitment process. The whole-day affair centered on the essence of volunteerism in the organization’s HIV awareness and prevention advocacy. Batch Duque, 45 new and promising LoveYourself volunteers LOOKING BACK… In 2016, LoveYourself’s triad of volunteer batches highlighted the country’s three main islands as a sign of patriotism ( Magayon for Luzon, Kinaadman for Visayas, and Bahandi for Mindanao). This 2017, the inspiration for the names and logos of the three batches of recruits are the iconic architectural structures significant to the organization. They were the hubs and halls that were witnesses to the growth of LoveYo...

By Carlos Diego A. Rozul Everyone has talked about a particular status in his or her life, be it their relationship status, their financial status, and heck people talk about their problems on their Facebook status all the time! But one thing that’s rarely talked about is one’s HIV status. Despite its relevance today it is still greatly stigmatized and has been thought of as taboo by many. This monthly column aims to help facilitate discussion on issues surrounding HIV testing and living with HIV. Blood is the lifeline that flows through the body. It nourishes and transports waste products to appropriate filtering organs. In the past year, there have been reports 1 , 2 of increased donated units that have tested reactive for HIV after screening consistent with the rise of HIV infections in the Philippines. However, there have also been accounts of nonreactive men having sex with men (MSM) who have been deferred from donating blood on the basis of their sexual orientation. Reiner, a r...

By Jay-Ar Keita The Philippines’ battle with HIV continues, as the number of newly diagnosed people living with HIV (PLHIV) remains high. According to the HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP), an average of 30 new cases per day were reported in June 2017, only five cases less compared to May 2017's daily average.This time last year, there were 841 new cases reported. The latest data shows a 20% increase to this month’s census of 1,013. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of these were asymptomatic at the time of reporting. Stock photo / Pixabay Sexual contact remained the top mode of transmission, according to the report. Eight hundred eighteen (818) reported cases were men having sex with men (MSM), while 151 were from heterosexual intercourse. Out of the 818 MSM cases, 554 were through homosexual contact, and the remaining 264 came from bisexual contact. Also listed were sharing of infected needles with 25 cases and mother-to-child transmission with 7, while the remaining...

Long before Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach exponentially raised HIV and AIDS awareness in the country, many Filipino individuals have been working hard to change the landscape of the HIV and AIDS advocacy in the country. Ten (10) of them will be recognized this World AIDS Day on 1 December during the first-ever “Love Gala.” The Love Gala, as unveiled Wednesday (9 August), is the Asia’s Premier Charity and Awards Gala event, which will honor outstanding individuals and their immeasurable contributions at “The Ripple Awards.” The organization believes that “a single person's act of love can start a wave that can save millions of people.” The Ripple Awards nomination period is open until 31 August 2017. Visit the Love Gala page: http://lovegala.org/nominate-now/ to nominate someone who has created ripples of positive change that greatly influenced the domestic and global movement towards the HIV and AIDS advocacy. Potential nominees can be a repre...