The Love Yourself Project, an ongoing advocacy group which aims to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS is set to open ‘The Love Yourself Hub’ on July 8, 2012 at 1850 Leon Guinto St., Malate, Manila (at the back of PWU).
The Love Yourself Hub will serve as a resource center to further increase the levels of awareness and knowledge, counseling and education, wellness, prevention, cure and rehabilitation of the communities it serves specially the youth and LGBT-MSM in response to sexually transmitted infections (STI and HIV) and other sexuality-related concerns.
One of the main key programs is to conduct HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) with the able support of the Research Institute for Topical Medicine (RITM).
To complement this main task, equally important are the other goals which aim to establish the following: ‘EQUALITY’ without regard to HIV status, religion, sex, gender preference and culture; provide skills training to other advocate volunteers on HIV counseling, HIV health education and management; empower professionals and other advocate volunteers to administer timely, appropriate therapeutic counseling and safe quality care; promote HIV education (e.g. Philippine HIV/AIDS Law) through partnerships with education-related groups and organizations; align with the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), World Health Organization (WHO) and partners to maximize resources.
The Love Yourself Hub shall embrace the ideals set forth by its parent organization – the Love Yourself Project by reaching out to the community it serves by propagating ideas and practices that encourage loving one's self -- to DARE to be oneself, to CARE for oneself, and to SHARE oneself as a way to multiplying joy.
The Love Yourself Project is the brainchild of Twitter Shorty Awards Nurse of the Year Awardee, Ronivin (Vinn) Garcia Pagtakhan. He was joined by friends who were inspired by the increasing demand and queries by the Youth & LGBT-MSM through social media such as Twitter on STI, HIV, sexuality and gender.
Over a period of one year, The Love Yourself Project exponentially grew through social networking. With the able support of a core group of concerned and socially aware youth & LGBT-MSM professionals and supporters with diverse ideas and preferences, the membership has now grown to almost 100 educators and counselors, and over 500 volunteers nationwide from all sectors of society.
In line with the first anniversary of the Love Yourself Project, herewith are the activities:
July 8 – (Sunday, 6 PM) Formal opening of the Love Yourself Hub with “ How Do I Love Thee,” a fund-raising photo-exhibit by Ian Felix Alquiros featuring photographs of male torsos in black and white.
July 15 -- (Sunday, 6 PM) Film Showing: “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa”, winner of Best Picture, 35th Gawad Urian, starring Rocco Nacino and Paolo Avelino (Best Actor, 35th Gawad Urian); and a short film “Nessun Dorma”, by Ron Genato and Jedd Rommel.
July 21 – (Saturday, 9 PM) “Circle of Love” – the Love Yourself Anniversary party, to be held at BED Manila. Special guest performers include: La Chiquitta – Hongkong’s top drag performer; Hotlegs; Soprano Beverly Salviejo; and Drag-ons.
July 29 – (Sunday, 6 PM) Wellness Demonstration conducted by Bay Leaf Spa on “Massage for Pleasure”.
Aug 5 – (Sunday, 6 PM) Forum: “Top Ten Tips: Succeeding in the Corporate World for People Like Us” conducted by Mr. Corporate Closet.
Dare. Care. Share.
Let’s all aim for a self-loving, happy, healthy, and HIV/STI-free Philippines.
For further details and information, visit www.loveyourself.ph or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/loveyourself.ph and Twitter @LoveYourself_VA
Here's a video I took during the last activity of Yoga for Life in commemorating the 29th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial
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