Love Yourself Inc.

Pre-LOVED: A Benefit Garage Sale

2012-03-11T17:44:00.000-07:00

This Lent, LoveYourself Inc. invites you to ...

Pre-LOVED: A Benefit Garage Sale
buy.sell.share

What: Pre-loved: A Benefit Garage Sale

Where: Replay Lounge Spa Compound, 35 West

Avenue Quezon City (formerly Playroom)

When: TBA (to be announced)

JOIN US!

dare.care.share....shop!

Interested parties who want to donate or share items to be sold during the event and/or who wants to reserve pledged items:

Please register and/or reserve your pledged item through this LINK : http://theloveyourselfproject.blogspot.com/p/pre-loved-pledges.html

For list of pledged items, click HERE

*Proceeds of the Benefit Garage Sale will go to the project funds of Loveyourself Inc.

LOVEYOURSELF on BARCODE

2012-03-09T02:21:00.000-08:00

Loveyourself just received our page BARCODE courtesy of

DPC (www.eyp.ph)

Loveyourself website barcode

thank you!

and for you BBM Lovers! add our BBM group. Just Scan the barcode below:

Loveyourself BBM group

special thanks to Mr. Arvie Dizon of DPC for making this possible.

Free HIV Counseling and Testing on March 4 at Makati City

2012-03-02T17:09:00.000-08:00

The Loveyourself Project and Makati City Health Disctrict invites you to:

BE HAPPY! KNOW YOUR STATUS!

credits to: Aura Sevilla and CD225 (UP Diliman College of Social Work and Community Development)

Ano:HIV Confidential Counseling & Testing – it’s FREE! Walang bayad!

Kailan: Sunday, 4 March 2012 (9am to 5pm)
Saan: Gen. Pio Del Pilar National High School, F.Zobel cor Morong St., Poblacion, Makati City (directly at the back of Makati City Hall)

Map:

Mga malimit na itanong:

1. Natatakot akong magpa-test. Anong gagawin ko?

Normal na kabahan o matakot ang mga taong nagpapa-HIV test. Kung hindi ka pa talaga ready, okay lang. Mayroon mga trained HIV educators at counselors doon sa event, at maaari mo silang i-konsulta. Hindi ka nila pipiliting magpa-test kung talagang ayaw mo.

2. Magkano ang bayad para makasali dito?
Ang HIV counseling ay walang bayad, libre. Gayun din ang HIV testing, free of charge din. Kung mas nakaluluwag ka naman sa pera at gusto mong tumulong, taos pusong tatanggapin ng Love Yourself ang inyong donasyon, kahit magkano man.

3. Anong dapat kong dalhin?
Dalhin lamang ang sarili. Hindi ka hihingan ng anuman, kahit pa ng ID.

4. Blood test ito, kailangan ba akong mag-fasting?
Hindi kailangan mag-fasting. Walang bawal kainin o inumin bago magpa-test -- hindi ito makaka-apekto sa HIV test.

5. First time ko itong magpa-test. Ano ba ang mangyayari doon?
Napakabuti ng iyong desisyong magpa-test. Basahin ang sumusunod bilang gabay: What to expect during your HIV test.

6. Ako ay isang babae, tunay na babae. Puwede ba ako magpa-test?

Oo. Ano ka man, babae, lalake, o anuman, maaari kang sumali at magpa-test.

Iba pangkatanungan? Email tlyproject@gmail.com

Special Thanks to Aura Sevilla and CD225 (UP Diliman College of SocialWork and Community Development) for the video and the flyers

BLINK meet.fun.people - Thank You :)

2012-02-28T06:46:00.000-08:00

February 26, 2012 - BLINK meet.fun.people. The lights! The party! The music!– Last night’s scene at the Bowler bar and restaurant was definitely queen.Blink, hosted by The Love Yourself Project was a charity event nothing short ofamazing. With surprise guest Mr. Gay World Philippines 2012 to kickstart the party, the nightwas bursting with laughter and excitement. From body shots off ofmouth-watering abs to the infamous “Blink speed dating game”, meeting newpeople everyone was having crazy fun.

The LoveYourself Inc. would like to thank all of those who attended our post valentines benefit party at Bowler Restaurant. The speediest speed dating ever!!

Special thanks to our sponsors:

by: Javi Bermejo
photos by: Paul Montinola

Are you SEXy? then its TIME. - SEXYTIME a SafErotic (safer/erotic) sex summit!

2012-02-27T15:24:00.000-08:00

Loveyourself Inc. in partnership with RITM (Research Institute of Tropical Medicine) presents: SEXY TIME: a SafErotic (safer/erotic) sex summit! Fun Sex Talk, plus FREE HIV Testing.

The Loveyourself Project would like to thank everyone who participated and everyone who helped made the event possible!

Are YOU SEXY?

Then it TIME

KNOW YOUR STATUS!

have a SEXYTIME with loveyourself Inc.

Thelove month may be nearing its end, but we lovers really know how to end thingswith a bang!

February26, 2012 marked another love yourself moment as we conducted SEXY TIME, asaferotic (safer and erotic) sex summit for men who like men at the Tayuman CommercialCenter.

Spearheadingthe pack is TLY Director for Counseling and Education, Chris Lagman and the rest of the TLY-RITMboys who are now conferred the title Change Agents by the Research Institutefor Tropical Medicine or RITM. Assisting the group are Rossana A. Ditangco, MD(head of the AIDS Research Group of RITM), renowned trainor Rita Bantigue, PHDand the medical team

from RITM.

Asidefrom lectures about HIV-AIDS, various means of being sexy, intimate and eroticwithout exposing one’s self to the risk of getting HIV were also discussed. Theaim of such forum promotes safer sex, without compromising intimacy. And as weso fondly call it—keeping the fire alivewithout getting burned. An assessment of various sexual behaviors amongMSM’s (males having sex with males) were made through focused group discussionsso as to make them more aware of the things they need to do to keep them awayfrom HIV.

Atotal of 48 participants agreed to get tested during the summit, and eachparticipant was assigned to a particular Change Agent to guide them in makingsure one will be HIV free until the end.

Thenight ended with not just with new learning and new friends, but it also pavedthe way for some of the participants to join the advocacy in spreading the lovewhile keeping away from HIV.

Some of the participants have already agreed tojoin the next Self Empowerment Training (SET) which is scheduled this comingMarch 3&4 and March 10&11. SETis the first level training for would-be Peer Educators for HIV/AIDS and thoseprofiled to be Peer Counselors or Change Agents will be endorsed to the nextlevel training.

by: Erick Frago & Philip Tanpoco
photos by: Harrel Paycana

WELCOME LOVERS! Loveyourself HIV Summit

2012-02-25T03:23:00.002-08:00

Februaruy 24, 2012, Makati City - is a new dawn, as Loveyourself Inc. in cooperation with Makati City Health Department Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. and Philippine National AIDS Council had our first ever HIV SUMMIT (Peer Educators Workshop) spearheaded by Ian Felix Alquiros (TLY Director), Dexter Secosana (TLY Makati Project Head), Dr. Jonathan Fontilla (TLY Consultant) and TLY Counselors & Peer Educators.

Welcome new LOVERS!

Dare

Care

(Registration with Borj Borja, Oliver Buiser, Jerwin Sumayo & Phillip Tanpoco)

(Our Host, Paul Montinola)

( Ian Felix Alquiros, TLY Director)

(Plenery with Dr. Jonathan Fontila, PSFI, Master Counselor)

(Break up groups with TLY counselor Lawrence Villegas)

(Group Presentations)

(TLY Lovers, (L) X, Rene Martinez, Paul Montinola, Trina, Lawrence Villegas, Philip Tampaco, Oliver Bruiser (R) Dexter Secosana, Jeoff Solas, X, Jon Fontilla, Borj Borja, Ivy Krystel, Jerwin Sumayo, X)

(TLY Counselors and Peer Educators, Makati City Health Department & Dra. Susan Gregorio, OIC PNAC)

BLINK meet.fun.people

2012-02-24T07:29:00.000-08:00

This Love Month

Loveyourself Inc. brings you

BLINK

Meet.Fun.People

February 26, 2012, SUNDAY 7 PM ONWARDS
The Bowler Restaurant & Bar, Valero corner Sedeno St. Salcedo Village, Makati
Fee: Php300.00 inclusive of 1 drink if you register thru our registration page (Php500.00 for Walk-ins)

While this is a fun and enjoyable environment, only those who register and reserved online will be given discounted tickets.
If you would like to join this event, express your interest by filling out the form at this link (http://tiny.cc/xa9j9)

Sneak peak of our next Loveyourself Inc. item:

Let’s Talk About Sex in a Positive and Non-Judgmental Way. Possible?

2012-02-19T04:52:00.000-08:00

A sex summit for us men who like men: SEXY TIME is a fun but substantial meeting of like-minded men (People Like Us), gathered to talk about sex in a positive and non-judgmental way. It is free-of-charge, discreet, and confidential. Free HIV testing will be offered too to all registered participants. COME! Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012 in a secret location near SM San Lazaro in Manila. Register here: http://tinyurl.com/hct123

What to expect during your HIV Test

2012-02-18T16:00:00.000-08:00

Here’s a primer on what to expect when you go for a proper HIV testing process.

Step One: The Form. When you arrive at the testing venue, you will be asked to fill out a form. The form is shown below.

Most people’s first question is — should I reveal my real identity? The official answer is YES, because all information written in this form will be handled in strict confidence. My personal, non-official answer is this: it is up to you. When you fill out this form, the name you write will not be cross-checked with any other identification documents (passport, IDs, etc.) This means, whatever name you write in this form is taken as is. If you so decide to put an alias or fake name, just be sure you remember it so there is no confusion during the time you are given your results later on.

Regarding other demographic-related questions in the form — here are some of my personal thoughts:

Permanent Address/mailing address: not important, you may specify only your area and city, e.g. Sampaloc, Manila; or South Triangle, Quezon City.
Contact Number: VERY IMPORTANT, please specify here your personal mobile number that you use most often. This is critical because it will be used in case there is an urgent need to give you important information regarding the results of your test.
Other demographic information (birthday, sex, age, etc.): fairly important, used for statistics keeping of the DOH — I suggest you put your real information here just to help the DOH-NEC to capture accurate statistics. These information will not be used to identify you.

For the rest of the form (employment history, travel history, history of HIV test, etc.), you may or may not be asked to fill these all out. A counselor may help fill this out with you during the next step of the process. The information you give here will be used to assess your risk, which will help your counselor in providing life-saving information and recommendations appropriate and customized to you and your situation. I recommend that you be “honest-to-the-bone” when you answer these questions, as this will directly impact the recommendations that will be given you for your own well-being.

Step Two: The Pre-Test Counseling. After filling out the form, you may be asked to wait for a little bit, depending on the number of people who have come to the testing venue ahead of you. When it is your turn, a friendly HIV counselor will approach you and lead you to a private area for a one-on-one counseling session. The counselor will look at the form you have filled out and will help you complete it. He or she will also, in the most sensitive, friendly but honest and direct way, ask you questions that will help him or her assess your risks in contracting sexually transmitted infections and most specifically HIV. My recommendation: be totally honest. You may share with your counselor how you feel about the situation, perhaps your fears and inhibitions, and he or she will help you to the most of his ability. An HIV counselor is trained to listen and handle such conversations with complete confidentiality and sensitivity. S/he is there to help you.

In some cases, the Pre-Test Counseling is preceded by a short HIV/STI class (10-15 minutes long) wherein a Peer Educator will provide a small group of people some important information about HIV and STI in an interactive lecture format. This is done mostly to help the individuals get critical information even prior to the one-on-one counseling. When this HIV/STI class is not given, the counselor will provide the same set of critical information to the individual embedded in their one-on-one pre-test counseling session.

Towards the end of the pre-test counseling session, the counselor is required to verify that you are willingly and in your own volition, submitting yourself to go through the HIV test. To ensure that you are indeed voluntarily going for HIV testing, he will ask you to sign the following Informed Consent form:

If you have even an iota of doubt about having the test, it is alright to say no, and say you’re not ready yet. The counselor will understand and respect your decision. It is important to understand that no one is forcing you, and that the process will proceed only if you want it to. If you decide to proceed with the test, you will be asked to use an alis, a code, for further confidentiality and privacy. This alias will be used in the official records of the process (labeling your papers, results, etc.), to further protect your identity. Again, each step of the way, the process ensures the confidentiality of all information given.

Upon verification of the counselor that you are indeed voluntarily submitting yourself for an HIV test, he will lead you to the medical technologist.

Step Three: The Actual Test. The medtech will draw blood from a vein in one of your arms. About 5 ml of blood will be drawn. After the blood is drawn, you will be asked to stay in a waiting area.

Step Four: The Waiting. It is important to note that while you are just waiting, this is a very critical step in the process. This is the most excruciating and stressful period in the whole process. Even if the wait is only 15, 20, or 30 minutes — it may feel like the longest period in your whole life. When I went for my very first test, I thought I was going to faint! So, my recommendation is this: while waiting, don’t forget to breathe. If you’re alone, go to a quiet corner and practice deep breathing. If you are with a companion, you may want to converse about something totally different, or whatever topic you feel will help you relax. Whatever you do, try to relax. Easier said than done, but I insist, try to relax. Stressing about the upcoming results will not change anything, and will just further your emotional distress. So, do what you need to do to relax.

Step Five: The Post-Test Counseling. When your results are ready, your alias or codename will be called. This, or that your counselor will approach you and again bring you to a private area for one-on-one counseling. He will deliver the result of your HIV test and engage you in a conversational counseling session to help you map out next steps based on the results of your test. Whatever the result may be, remember that at this point, your counselor is your best ally. Ask him any question you may have. He is there to help you the best he can. After your counseling session, you may leave the premises.

Whatever the result of your HIV test, congratulate yourself for having the courage to go through the process. As you will discover, it is not easy, and it can be such a harrowing experience — especially if you let fear get the better of you. But as you step out of the testing venue, give yourself a pat on the back. You went through your test because you love yourself. You went through it because you care for your loved ones. Regardless of the result, for most of us, it will be like a thorn is plucked from your aching heart, or a huge baggage is lifted from your heavy chest. Now you know your status, you are in the best position to take care of yourself. Because you have dared to know, you can take care of yourself better, and share more the love you have for yourself and for others. Congrats!

If you have any questions regarding this process, there is always someone willing to help. Email help@loveyourself.ph — and expect a response within 24-48 hours.

courtesy of MGG

Thank You SHELL Philippines - Loveyourself

2012-02-16T20:45:00.000-08:00

February 13-16, Loveyourself Inc. in Partership with Shell Philippines, visited four Shell Branches in Luzon (Shell Solaris, Shell House, Shell SPEX Alabang, & Shell Refinery in Tabangao, Batangas) for the Benefit Openshoot and Voluntary Counseling & Testing.

Ronivin Garcia Pagtakhan
President, Loveyourself Inc.

Thank you Shell Philippines for the support!

Dare. Care. Share

Loveyourself

HIV101 Summit (MAKATI CITY)

2012-02-12T01:03:00.000-08:00

Calling our Makati and nearby city volunteers!

Loveyourself Inc. in partnership with City Health Department, Makati City & Philippines Business Sector Response to HIV announces the availability of volunteer opportunities as Peer Educator for the Love Yourself Project (TLY). Requirements are as follows:

1. The heart to help: all TLYP volunteers have the genuine heart to help, regardless of personal benefit or remuneration.

2. Actual experience or observable potential for skill acquisition related to teaching, facilitating, or training.

3. Commitment to being part of the Peer Educator Pool for at least 1 year.

100 selected candidates, from the registration will attend the Makati HIV SUMMIT (Peer Educators Workshop) on FEBRUARY 24, 2012 (Friday) - 9am to 5pm - Makati City Hall Session Hall. Register here
(http://theloveyourselfproject.blogspot.com/p/hiv101-summit-registration.html)

Peer Educator is first and foremost a peer -- he is the same and equal with his audience. As such, he is able to easily relate to his audienceʼs specific circumstances, to intimately understand their challenges, and therefore more effectively facilitate not only learning but, more importantly, the application of such learning. In short, a peer educator is a very effective instrument to inspire, initiate and encourage behavior change among members of his audience. This workshop enables one to be a Peer Educator. In this workshop, one learns the following: (1) the fundamental body of knowledge on the topic of STIs and HIV/AIDS; (2) issues faced by people who are most at risk to be affected by HIV/AIDS ; (3) facilitation and teaching skills to effectively deliver a learning session among peers. A critical goal of this workshop is to raise the self-awareness of its attendees so as to rid themselves of prejudices that stand in the way of being a true peer to his audience.

From the 100 participants of the HIV101 Summit, 30 people will be asked to attend the 3-day HIV Confidential Counseling and Testing Counselors workshop on March 23, 24, 25 (Stay-IN at FRIENDSHIP SUITES)

If you are interested, we would like to invite you to register as a potential Peer Educator here

Registration ends February 19, 2012, or when all slots are filled up, whichever comes earlier.

The Love Yourself Project Open Shoot (BATCH 5) at Makati City

2012-02-09T14:45:00.000-08:00

Love Yourself Inc. in cooperation with Pilipinas Shell Foundation brings you

The Love Yourself Project Open Shoot by Ian Felix Alquiros BATCH 5

MAKATI CITY

smile.pose.share

this

Valentine’s Day

You are invited to join the LoveYourself Photoshoot Batch 5.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words -- in this special charity photoshoot, it's worth a thousand pesos and a lot of love, for yourself and for a society we envision free from the scare of HIV/AIDS. Register here: LINK (http://theloveyourselfproject.blogspot.com/p/love-yourself-project-open-shoot-by-ian.html)

The photoshoot will be on February 14, TUESDAY - Shell Head Office (Shell House) Ground Floor Lobby, Valero corner Villar Street Salcedo Village Makati, Makati: 9am to 5pm

SEXY TIME: A Saferotic Sex Summit

2012-02-07T06:44:00.000-08:00

The LoveYourself Project in partnership with RITM

Join the first-ever SEXY TIME, a safer/erotic sex summit! Fun Sex Talk, plus FREE HIV TESTING, confidential and in a very discreet, accessible location. To register please go to LINK (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dG5KbUphOTc1S0RGTFRQcE4zVlotR3c6MQ)

Loveyourself Inc supports the Red Whistle Campaign in Red Revolution: Channel V Philippines MUSIC FESTIVAL 2012

2012-02-07T01:30:00.000-08:00

For more details, click the LINK

Looking for Volunteers

2012-01-18T17:11:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for opportunities to help out in stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS? We're forming a special team of bright young men to help the cause. For this special team, here are the qualifications:

1. Willing to be trained (trainings are scheduled during weekends)
2. Strong interpersonal communication skills
3. Working professional, has shown some level of success in school, business, or corporate career
4. Gay or bisexual male - has intimate understanding how it is to be one

Trainings consist of 3 tiers and are highly selective. First set of trainings is scheduled in February, entitled "Self-Empowerment Workshop." There will be 3 batches of 18 participants each (Feb 4-5, Feb 11-12, and Feb. 18-19.) It is an overnight training and will be held in Malate, Manila. Food and overnight accommodations are provided for chosen participants. For those interested to be considered for this training, kindly fill out this registration form.

The Love Yourself Cafe: Friendship & Love Among Men

2012-01-13T04:49:00.000-08:00

If love is a tree--sturdy, beautiful, fruitful, and teeming with rich, energetic life--then friendship is its roots. Where there is love, there is friendship; just as the roots are to the tree, friendship to love is that which sustains, grounds, and strengthens. So in, February, traditionally the month when we celebrate love, we zero in on its fundamental, animating principle: Friendship, specifically among men who like men.

Migs the Manila Gay Guy and the Love Yourself organization thus bring you, once again, the Love Yourself Cafe. It’s a safe place for casual conversations on topics that dare, with people who care to question and share. Our topic for the cafe is:

Friendship & Love Among Men

February 11, 2012, Saturday

6 to 9 PM

While this is a relaxed and fun environment, privacy and confidentiality are taken very seriously. Attendance is strictly by invitation. To ensure privacy of all attendees, venue details shall be sent only to the invited participants.

If you would like to join this private, by-invitation event, express your interest by filling out the form at this link (http://tinyurl.com/tlycafe2) no later than January 31st.

Nominate 'Love Yourself' at the Twitter Shorty Awards!

2012-01-05T09:08:00.001-08:00

Nominate LOVEYOURSELF for a social media award in the Shorty Awards

New Year's Resolution: HIV Testing

2011-12-29T18:55:00.000-08:00

If you are thinking of starting the year by conquering your fear, taking care of yourself, loving yourself -- here's a great first step. Good news is that we're here to help! Click here!

We can still reverse this trend.

2011-12-29T08:29:00.000-08:00

With 212 new HIV Ab sero-positive individuals confirmed by the STD/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory (SACCL) in November 2011, the Philippines for the first time has breached the 2,000-mark in terms of its annual numbers. Only two years ago, in 2009, we were at a sub-1,000 mark.

We enjoin everyone to help as we, in Love Yourself, firmly believe that this outrageous growth rate can be arrested and reversed. We are doing our share, and we need everyone's help. Do you want to help? Register here.

Our Cup Of Kindness: celebrating our first six months

2011-12-18T18:27:00.000-08:00

Celebrating the first 6 months of Love Yourself's existence. Kudos, team!

Love Yourself and QCHD conduct free HIV counseling and testing

2011-12-14T01:44:00.001-08:00

Volunteer HIV educators and counselors take a break
after a long day of work on Dec. 11, 2011. [Photo by: Ura Sevilla]

ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT individuals, after learning about it through social networking sites, blogs, and Facebook, voluntarily came to a special HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) event organized by the Love Yourself (VINN Advocacy) Group on December 11, 2011. The event was held in a private facility in West Avenue, Quezon City, in partnership with the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD).

The program provided an intensive STI and HIV/AIDS education session to all attendees. For those who signed the informed consent for testing, the mandated pre-test and post-test counseling were also done. A total of twenty-six (26) volunteer HIV counselors (trained and certified by the Department of Health), and HIV educators (trained by certified trainers of the Philippine National AIDS Council) helped in ensuring that the education and counseling were done according to set protocol.

The 108 HIV Ab test clients’ age ranged from 18 to 46 years. Out of the 108 clients, 99 were male and 9 were female.

As per DOH protocol, during the post-test counseling and release of the rapid HIV test result, all clients were given instructions, as follows:

The blood samples of the clients that turned out reactive shall be sent to the National Reference Laboratory-STD AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory / San Lazaro Hospital to undergo the confirmatory test. The QCHD will contact the client after two weeks and the results will be given. If confirmed positive, the client will undergo further laboratory tests, most importantly the CD4 level to determine the need for administration of anti-retroviral drugs.For all others that received non-reactive results for the test, they were reminded to consistently use the recommended HIV prevention practices, and take the voluntary HCT again after three to six months.

Free HIV Counseling and Testing on December 11

2011-12-08T07:34:00.001-08:00

Ano: HIV Confidential Counseling and Testing – it’s FREE! Walang bayad!
Kailan: Sunday, 11 December 2011 (10am to 4pm)
Saan: Playroom – 35 West Avenue, Quezon City

Mga malimit na itanong:

1. Natatakot akong magpa-test. Anong gagawin ko?
Normal na kabahan o matakot ang mga taong nagpapa-HIV test. Kung hindi ka pa talaga ready, okay lang. Mayroon mga trained HIV educators at counselors doon sa event, at maaari mo silang i-konsulta. Hindi ka nila pipiliting magpa-test kung talagang ayaw mo.

3. Anong dapat kong dalhin?
Dalhin lamang ang sarili. Hindi ka hihingan ng anuman, kahit pa ng ID.

4. Blood test ito, kailangan ba akong mag-fasting?
Hindi kailangan mag-fasting. Walang bawal kainin o inumin bago magpa-test -- hindi ito makaka-apekto sa HIV test.

5. First time ko itong magpa-test. Ano ba ang mangyayari doon?
Napakabuti ng iyong desisyong magpa-test. Basahin ang sumusunod bilang gabay: What to expect during your HIV test.

6. Ako ay isang babae, tunay na babae. Puwede ba ako magpa-test?
Oo. Ano ka man, babae, lalake, o anuman, maaari kang sumali at magpa-test.

Iba pang katanungan? Email help@loveyourself.ph

Mapa:

View My Saved Places in a larger map

Something Beautiful

2011-12-08T07:14:00.001-08:00

You are invited to join the LoveYourself Photoshoot Batch 4. They say a picture is worth a thousand words -- in this special charity photoshoot, it's worth a thousand pesos and a lot of love, for yourself and for a society we envision free from the scare of HIV/AIDS. Register here:http://theloveyourselfproject.blogspot.com/p/open-shoot-registration.html

The cute, sweet music for this ad is "Beautiful World" (originally written as a love song) by Adam Crossley. Listen to more of his great music here:http://www.myspace.com/adamcrossley

STI/HIV/AIDS Learning Session at Chevron

2011-12-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

Love Yourself's Founding President Ronivin Pagtakhan and Director of Communications Chris Lagman led an STI/HIV/AIDS learning session among employees of Chevron at RCBC Plaza, Makati on December 7, 2011. It was organized and sponsored by Chevron's PRIDE organization in the Philippines.

After the two-part talk, peer educators and counselors Ivy Krystel Hapitan, Dexter Secosana, Neil Bryant Calizo, and Jedd Rommel conducted small group question-and-answer sessions to address specific queries among the attendees.

HIV & AIDS Registry, October 2011: 92% higher than same period last year.

2011-12-05T07:48:00.001-08:00

In October 2011, there were 200 new HIV Ab sero-positive individuals confirmed by the STD/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory (SACCL) and re- ported to the HIV and AIDS Registry. This was 92% higher compared to the same period last year (n=104 in 2010). Most of the cases (97%) were males. Males having sex with other Males (85%) were the predominant type of sexual transmission. Download the report here.

Know Your HIV Status on December 11, 2011

2011-12-05T01:59:00.001-08:00

This Sunday, you have an opportunity to know your HIV status -- for free, in a private facility, among friendly and caring staff. December 11, 2011. Starts at 10 AM, ends at 4 PM. Details here.

It's time.

2011-12-03T18:34:00.001-08:00

It starts like a painless prick in the mind -- HIV? Me? Nah.

Then after a while, you remember those crazy times in the past. Yeah, you think, crazy but not too crazy as to put me at risk. Besides, the probability of getting it is too low. Malinis naman sila, I'm sure. You continue to attempt convincing yourself.

Time pass and you're most of the time successful in keeping those HIV thoughts at bay. Yet there were times, admit it, that the prick in the mind becomes a bit more intense. Did I really do it bareback? Can't remember na. May condom naman yata. Yata? Shit, can't remember na talaga.

Now it's selective memory lapse. You think you were safe naman, most of the time, at the least. But you can't seem to get the doubt off your mind. Suddenly, you don't know, it is not clear if you really were safe.

Everytime you see those three letters HIV, there's a slight skip in your heartbeat, a little lump in your throat forming. I think I have it. Maybe I have it. What if I have it?

It's a creepy little bastard, because like a thief in the night, it blindsides you: you have started to trim your life plans and water down your dreams to accommodate the assumption that, maybe, you think, you feel, you have it. It's a painless thought at first, a dull feeling after a while, but the longer you stay in the dark, the heavier it feels.

You busy yourself with stuff, with work, with parties, with anything that can fill your mind and keep it from focusing on HIV. Fuck that blog, now the only thing it talks about is HIV. You distract yourself to the hilt only to find a big white snorting elephant stuck in the meandering grooves of your brain. HIV, HIV, HIV, fuck.

You search online for symptoms. Fever, flu-like symptoms, rashes, diarrhea, but not for all, sometimes none at all. Symptoms only when it has advanced to AIDS, when the body has given up, when the virus has totally taken over. Scary shit. You slam a closed fist on the table, why wasn't I careful kasi.

You consider getting yourself tested. You're scared like a little kid about to get spanked, closing your eyes before you hear the leather belt whip and welt your skin.

You realize there is really no way out but through. If I don't have HIV and I'm suffering this way, fuck, I'm such a worry wart punishing myself for nothing. If I do have HIV and I'm standing here doing nothing about it, then I'm really just letting this foul-smelling fear immobilize me. Like committing the most gradual suicide by slicing myself up part-by-little-part.

Part of you triumphs saying, it's time. It's time to unload the baggage. It's time to use this energy, now in the form of fear, to propel myself forward. It's time that I face that fear, ready to battle it tooth and nail.

* * *

Have you been thinking of getting tested? Perhaps you are not ready yet for testing but you want to talk to someone about it? Here's the event for you. First, you will find here friendly, professional, and well-trained HIV educators and counselors. And, secondly, the event is scheduled on a Sunday! And very importantly, it will be held in a private (not in a government clinic) and discreet location, for your own privacy and convenience.

What: HIV Confidential Counseling and Testing - it's FREE! No charge!
When: Sunday, 11 December 2011 (10am to 4pm)
Where: Playroom - 35 West Avenue, Quezon City

Some frequently asked questions (FAQs):

1. I am afraid to go for testing, I think I'm not ready yet. Can I still go and just talk to someone without getting myself tested?
Absolutely. There will be trained HIV educators and counselors there that you can talk to. They will respect your feelings, and if you feel you are not ready to go for your HIV testing, that's okay. There is value in just talking things out, so come.

2. How much does it cost if I go to this event?
The HIV counseling is free of charge. The HIV testing is also free of charge. You do not need to pay for anything. Love Yourself is subsidizing the conduct of this event, and if you want to help by donating, you are free to do so. Otherwise, everything is free.

3. What should I bring?
You are not required to bring anything. You will not be asked for an ID.

4. Since it will be a blood test, should I not eat anything before? Is there fasting involved?
It is a blood test, yes, but there are no prerequisites such as fasting or no-alcohol diet, etc. The test will look for HIV antibodies in your blood, and eating food or drinking anything will not affect the results.

5. This is my first HIV test. I do not know what will happen during the test. How will the HIV testing process go?
Congratulations for making the brave decision to take the test. Read the following: What to expect during your HIV test.

6. I’m a girl. May I go?
Of course. This event is open to all.

Other questions? Email help@loveyourself.ph

Location Map:

View My Saved Places in a larger map

How to get there:

From EDSA via MRT: alight at the North Edsa station. Take a jeepney towards the direction of Quiapo (via West Avenue). The venue will be on your right, about 2-3 km from SM North Edsa/Trinoma. It's along West Avenue, just before Mister Kebab.

From EDSA via bus: alight at the corner of Edsa and West Avenue. Take a jeepney towards the direction of Quiapo (via West Avenue). The venue will be on your right, about 2-3 km from SM North Edsa/Trinoma. It's along West Avenue, just before Mister Kebab.

From Espana or Quezon Avenue (Banawe, Sto. Domingo, Pantranco, etc.): take an FX or jeepney towards SM North/Trinoma. When you reach West Avenue, you will see Kowloon House West on your right, and very soon after, Mister Kabab on your left. The venue is on the side of Mister Kabab, the 2nd building after.

(The venue is inside a discreet building complex between Quezon Avenue and Del Monte Avenue. Between the restaurants 'Mister Kebab' and 'Mang Inasal'. The front of the building complex has an establishment called 'Renrich'.)

Celebrity Lovers Featured in PEP.ph

2011-12-01T20:49:00.001-08:00

Go to the feature by clicking here.

The Love Yourself Project Featured In Manila Bulletin

2011-11-30T10:21:00.001-08:00

Featured at page G4 of Manila Bulletin on Nov. 30, 2011. (Click image below to enlarge.)

To read the article, you may go to http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/343105/the-love-yourself-project

Love Yourself Open Shoot on Dec. 18

2011-11-27T20:29:00.001-08:00

The Love Yourself Open Shoot Part 4 is now scheduled on December 18, 2011. Register here!

You are invited to participate in Ian Felix Alquiros' fourth batch of the charity photoshoot for the benefit of The Love Yourself Project. All profit generated will be used in the training of new HIV counselors who will help and assist the youth and key population affected by HIV/AIDS. Photoshoot participants donate Php1,000 which entitle them to (1) one Love Yourself t-shirt or singlet; (2) grooming services for the shoot; and (3) one digital photo layout, in the style of "Love Yourself." They say a picture is worth a thousand words -- in this special charity photoshoot, it's worth a thousand pesos and a lot of love, for yourself and for a society we envision free from the scare of HIV/AIDS.

This photoshoot is open to all generous souls and beautiful people who have the heart to help. It will be on Sunday, December 18, 2011, from 12 NN to 8 PM, at #88 Panay Avenue, Quezon City [location map]. Get a priority shoot timeslot that's most convenient for you, register here.

Free HIV Counseling and Testing on Dec. 11

2011-11-24T20:45:00.001-08:00

Some frequently asked questions (FAQs):

3. What should I bring?
You are not required to bring anything. You will not be asked for an ID.

6. I’m a girl. May I go?
Of course. This event is open to all.

Other questions? Email help@loveyourself.ph

Location Map:

View My Saved Places in a larger map

We'll be at Distrito Makati on Nov. 25

2011-11-22T16:22:00.001-08:00

DISTRITO - the weekday lifestyle market located at the Amorsolo Open Parking lot (beside Makati Med) is opening on Nov 25 (Fri)! Enjoy great food, fun, and friends. Love Yourself folks will be there to sell shirts and singlets to raise funds to support education and counseling programs we provide for HIV affected youth and key population.

On the Photoshoot Round 4

2011-11-18T08:16:00.001-08:00

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: the Love Yourself Open Shoot 4th Round, originally scheduled this Sunday Nov.20, 2011, has been postponed to December (exact date TBD). We were not able to receive the ordered t-shirts from our supplier, and our current inventory has dried out due to unforeseen demand. Apologies to all for any inconvenience caused. We shall announce a new schedule in December within next week. Thank you for your understanding.

The Balloon Game

2011-11-13T23:27:00.001-08:00

As of Nov. 13, 2011, Love Yourself has 30 DOH-certifed HIV counselors and 52 trained educators/agents of change.

How do you bring them together in a fun but meaningful exercise?

We played the balloon game during the first ever Love Yourself General Assembly. Here's a snippet of the experience.

Video by Ian Felix Alquiros, editing by Jedd Rommel.

The Limited Edition Love Yourself Singlet

2011-11-13T15:45:00.001-08:00

Introducing the Limited Edition Love Yourself Singlet! Grab them during the Open shoot on Sunday, November 20, 2011. Details here.

Introducing the Love Yourself Cafe

2011-11-06T20:08:00.000-08:00

Have you at one time or another wished you had a venue to talk about love and relationships among men without having to fear being laughed at or smirked on by judgmental trolls? Gay and bisexual men also, if not very frequently, think about how we can connect intimately or romantically to another person. And because of the stigma, many go underground, looking for love in chatrooms that, more often than not, offer a quick-fix, a band-aid solution to our deep, profound desire to connect. Given this, we have little to no chance of substantiating our thoughts on questions like:

How do I find a partner?

How do I deal with my insecurities?
Is monogamy for me? Or open relationships, perhaps?
What do I do when I fall in love with a straight man?
What is the importance of sex in a partnership?
What do I do, I’m afraid of being alone in my twilight years?

Now, imagine having a cozy, casual conversation among friends about these questions — open, friendly, funny, yet substantial and enriching. This is what the Love Yourself Cafe is all about. A safe space for casual conversations, on topics that dare, with people who care, to question and share.

The first-ever cafe event is happening on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011. The topic will be: Love & Relationships Among Men. It will be hosted by Migs the Manila Gay Guy and facilitated by the Fabcasters.

This is a private, by-invitation event that will happen at a discreet, secret location in Makati. If you are interested, request for an invitation via this link. Limited slots available.

Self-Efficacy Training for Agents of Change

2011-11-06T19:23:00.000-08:00

On November 5-6, 2011, seventeen volunteers from The Love Yourself Project participated in the Self-Efficacy Training (SET) conducted by the Department of Health’s Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) at their Satellite Clinic in Leon Guinto, Malate, Manila.

The workshop is based on the principle that educators and counselors doing HIV advocacy work are essentially agents of change, and that the first essential step for one to be an effective agent of change is examining one’s own behaviors, attitude, and self-image. The SET enables the participants to (1) acquire motivation to embark on a personal behavioral assessment related to one’s susceptibility for contracting HIV; (2) learn knowledge and techniques related to changing one’s own behavior; and (3) come up with action plans to concretize the resolutions made during the training.

The training was facilitated by Dr. Rossana Ditangco, Head of the AIDS Research Group of RITM, and RIta Bantigue, Ph.D., Counseling Psychologist from De La Salle University and AVP/Head of Learning & Development at Meralco.

The Love Yourself Project Launches Assistance Program for People Newly Diagnosed With HIV

2011-11-06T18:16:00.000-08:00

Ian Felix Alquiros, TLY Director of Education

and Counseling, explains the program details

during the launch and press conference.

Pasig City, November 6, 2011 -- Love Yourself, a group of volunteer educators and counselors, together with the Mr. Gay World Organization and Ladlad Partylist, launched today the LAB (Laboratory Assistance Benefit) initiative, a new program to help people who are newly diagnosed with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The LAB initiative provides financial assistance specifically to pay for baseline laboratory tests that are required to initiate the lifelong treatment process for People Living with HIV (PLHIV).

According to the National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health, the number of HIV cases in the Philippines continue to increase with unprecedented rates, now at 8 new confirmed cases per day. A critical strategy in decelerating the spread of HIV is to ensure that those who are diagnosed positive are immediately provided with appropriate treatment and care. One roadblock to treatment that HIV counselors have seen especially among the very young, newly diagnosed PLHIV is the lack of funds for their initial baseline laboratory tests.

“This one-time financial assistance may be considered small, but it can potentially save lives,” says Ian Felix Alquiros, Director of Education and Counseling for Love Yourself. The baseline laboratory tests are crucial in assessing the health of the newly diagnosed PLHIV. The tests give the health provider critical data used in determining initial treatment recommendations, and as such, can be considered the PLHIVʼs gateway to treatment. Many of these treatments and medicines can be accessed for free (e.g., anti-TB medicines, anti-retroviral drugs), provided that the PLHIV has undertaken the required baseline laboratory tests.

The LAB Initiative, together with the guidance from trained HIV counselors and educators of Love Yourself, enable and encourage newly diagnosed PLHIVs that are otherwise financially unable, to seek treatment, care, and support. The first three recipients of the assistance are PLHIV endorsed by Ladlad and volunteer HIV counselors of Love Yourself.

The Mr. Gay World Organization under its Red Ribbon Campaign is the first major sponsor for the LAB initiative.

Open Shoot Part 4!

2011-11-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

More and more people are wanting to have their "Love Yourself" portraits! So we bring you: The Love Yourself Open Shoot -- Part 4!

This photoshoot is open to all generous souls and beautiful people who have the heart to help. It will be on Sunday, November 20, 2011, from 12 NN to 9 PM, at #88 Panay Avenue, Quezon City [location map]. Get a priority shoot timeslot that's most convenient for you, register here.

At the Black Party Manila 2011

2011-10-30T00:16:00.000-07:00

Before the party started, a TV5 news crew interviewed us and asked this question:

"Why is The Love Yourself Project here at Black Party Manila?"

Good question, I thought. Bakit nga ba?

"We're here because the people here are the ones we want to reach out to. They are the ones who like having fun. And our message is this: Love Yourself! Some people think that to love one's self and to be safe means to be boring. We don't believe that. One can have fun, great fun, and at the same time take care of one's self. We're here to deliver that message -- but also, so we can have fun! We like having fun too! (We know the market, because we are the market!)"

* * *
We had a blast at the Black Party Manila 2011! Proof of that are these photos!

To view:

1. Go to http://facebook.com/loveyourself.ph

2. Like our page.

3. Enjoy the photos.

Enjoy everyone!

See you at the Black Party Manila 2011

2011-10-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

October 29, 2011 - Orosa/Nakpil, Malate, Manila. Be there in your black Love Yourself t-shirts![Video by Jedd Rommel.]

Last Call for Volunteer HIV Counselors

2011-10-16T20:06:00.000-07:00

This is the last call for volunteers who want to join The Love Yourself Project as HIV counselors. Last day of signing up is 24 October, Monday, 9 PM.

The National AIDS STI Prevention and Control Program of the Department of Health (DOH) and The Love Yourself Project are jointly opening up opportunities to train as HIV counselors. Selected candidates shall attend a 4-day HIV Counseling and Testing Training Program on November 5, 6, 12, and 13, 2011. This will be facilitated by Master HIV Counselors as endorsed by the DOH: Dr. Ethel Daño, Celestino Ramirez, Jason Encabo, Aureo De Castro and Mary Joy Morin.

The training venue is to be determined (within Metro Manila).

Interested individuals who would like to become HIV Counselors, please fill out the Intent Form.

Wanted: Ordinary People

2011-10-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Do you want to be part of The Love Yourself Project? Volunteer here.[Video credits: Jedd Rommel]

Cupcake League: the Volleyball Outreach

2011-10-10T05:24:00.000-07:00

The Love Yourself team with Dr. Jon Fontilla (rightmost)

SEVEN volleyball teams competed fabulously at the Cupcake League held at the Dumlao Gym in Mandaluyong City on October 8, 2011. During the break before the announcement of the winners, Love Yourself folks had a chance to have a short talk with each team to introduce the assistance the group can provide to those who have questions on safe sex and HIV/AIDS. It was a brief but fun outreach! Sharing the photos here! (Special thanks to Jeoff Solas for leading the team, and to Dr. Jonathan Fontilla for making the outreach possible.)

The Love Yourself Open Shoot -- Part 3!

2011-10-09T06:50:00.000-07:00

Due to many people asking for another chance, we bring you once again -- The Love Yourself Open Shoot -- Part 3!

You are invited to participate in Ian Felix Alquiros' third batch of the charity photoshoot for the benefit of The Love Yourself Project. All profit generated will be used in the training of new HIV counselors who will help and assist the youth and key population affected by HIV/AIDS. Photoshoot participants donate Php1,000 which entitle them to (1) one Love Yourself t-shirt; (2) grooming services for the shoot; and (3) one digital photo layout, in the style of "Love Yourself." They say a picture is worth a thousand words -- in this special charity photoshoot, it's worth a thousand pesos and a lot of love, for yourself and for a society we envision free from the scare of HIV/AIDS.

This photoshoot is open to all generous souls and beautiful people who have the heart to help. It will be on Sunday, October 16, 2011, from 12 NN to 9 PM, at #88 Panay Avenue, Quezon City [location map]. Get a priority shoot timeslot that's most convenient for you, register here.

HIV Counseling Training

2011-10-06T18:53:00.000-07:00

Do you want to be an HIV counselor?

Given the explosive growth of HIV numbers that we're seeing now, analysts forecast that by 2015, there will be 45,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Philippines. While we shall do our best to arrest this growth by increased awareness and education, we also believe that we need to increase our capacity to assist people to change behavior (from high risk to low or no risk), and to cope with their transition in case they are diagnosed as HIV positive. In short, we need more HIV counselors.

The National AIDS STI Prevention and Control Program of the Department of Health (DOH) and The Love Yourself Project are jointly opening up opportunities to train as HIV counselors. Selected candidates shall attend a 4-day HIV Counseling and Testing Training Program on November 5, 6, 12, and 13, 2011. This will be facilitated by Master HIV Counselors as endorsed by the DOH: Dr. Ethel Daño, Celestino Ramirez, Jason Encabo, Aureo De Castro and Mary Joy Morin. The training venue is to be determined (within Metro Manila).

Interested individuals who would like to become HIV Counselors, please fill out the Intent Form.

Janvier and Zyruz: Lovers of The Love Yourself Project

2011-10-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

Actors Janvier Daily and Zyruz Imperial join the Lovers' League, supporters of The Love Yourself Project (TLYP).

Do you want to join activities of TLYP? Check out our Calendar of Activities.

Talk to a counselor.

2011-10-01T18:35:00.000-07:00

Scared that you might have HIV? Too much, that you can't even go for your HIV test?

Perhaps you just need to talk it over with an HIV counselor. No pressure to go for testing. Sometimes, it helps just to let it out.

Email an HIV counselor at help@loveyourself.ph

Assessing Your Risk

2011-09-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

Answer the following questions below. If you answer yes in any one below, then you might have a risk of getting HIV or any sexually transmitted infection (STI).

1. Do I engage in unprotected sexual intercourse with more than one partner?
2. Does my partner have multiple sexual partners?
3. Do I or my partner have signs or symptoms referring to a possible STI?
4. Do I engage in drug use, sharing of needles or syringes?
5. Does my partner engage in drug use, sharing of needles or syringes?
6. Have I or my partner undergone any blood transfusion/organ transplant?

"Use condoms to prevent spread of HIV." - Pope Benedict XVI

2011-09-24T19:51:00.000-07:00

Pope Benedict XVI said men and women can use condoms to prevent the spread of HIV.

Pope Benedict has clarified his recent landmark statement — that the use of condoms is sometimes morally justifiable to stop the spread of AIDS — by saying that the declaration was meant to cover women and transsexuals, and not just men.

The acknowledgement is being seen as a major shift in church policy. The Vatican has said for decades that condoms were not part of the answer to fighting AIDS.

The Vatican now says using a condom is a less evil than transmitting HIV to a sexual partner even it means a woman could avoid a possible pregnancy.

Read more.

TV Guesting: Sapul Sa Singko (Sept. 23, 2011)

2011-09-23T03:03:00.000-07:00

Photoshoot for a Cause

2011-09-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

What: The Love Yourself Charity Photoshoot (Part 2!)
When: September 24, 2011 - Saturday - 12nn-10pm
Where: The Room, G/F Crowne 88 Condominium, #88 Panay Ave., Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City.
Registration link: http://theloveyourselfproject.blogspot.com/p/open-shoot-registration.html

It's the much-awaited follow-up to the explosively successful first charity photoshoot for The Love Yourself Project by Ian Felix Alquiros. This Saturday na, and it's open to all -- girls, boys, men, women, gays, lesbians, transgenders, or whatever label you use. Tara na! It's fun, and at the same time, you help the provision of free assistance, counseling, and education to the youth and key population affected by HIV/AIDS in the Philippines. Photoshoot for a cause ito. Wanna join? REGISTER HERE! Read on for details.

You are invited to participate in Ian Felix Alquiros' charity photoshoot for the benefit of The Love Yourself Project. All profit generated will be used in the provision of free assistance, counseling, and education to the youth and key population affected by HIV/AIDS in the Philippines. Photoshoot participants donate Php1,000 which entitle them to (1) one Love Yourself t-shirt; (2) grooming services for the shoot; and (3) one digital photo layout, in the style of "Love Yourself." They say a picture is worth a thousand words -- in this special charity photoshoot, it's worth a thousand pesos and a lot of love, for yourself and for a society we envision free from HIV/AIDS.

This photoshoot is open to all generous souls and beautiful people who have the heart to help. It will be on Saturday, September 24, 2011, from 12 NN to 10 PM, at #88 Panay Avenue, Quezon City [location map]. Get a priority shoot timeslot that's most convenient for you, register here.

Here are some information that may help you:

How to get there (for those taking public utility vehicles)
The address is: Ground Floor, Crown 88 Condominium, #88 Panay Ave., near corner Timog Ave., Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City.

1. If you are coming from either the south (e.g. Makati) or North (e.g. Monumento) your best bet would be the MRT. Alight at the Quezon Ave. Station, where you will see a McDonald's branch. Across the side of McDo you will find tricycles that can take you to the venue. Give the address or say "Crown 88 Condo, 88 Panay" and you'll be fine. Alternatively, from the Quezon Ave./EDSA corner, you may take a jeepney towards Quiapo and go down BIR or "Klownz Comedy Bar" on Quezon Ave. Behind BIR/Klownz is Panay Ave., and very near the venue.
2. If you are coming from Quiapo/Espana, take a PUJ to Fairview, alight at BIR/Klownz along Quezon Ave. Behind BIR/Klownz is Panay Ave., and very near the venue.
3. If you are coming from Nova/UP Philcoa, take a PUJ to Quiapo, alight at BIR/Klownz along Quezon Ave. Behind BIR/Klownz is Panay Ave., and very near the venue.
Another landmark that is near the venue is Wensha Spa in Timog. The venue is a 3-minute walk from Wensha.

Photoshoot proper
1. Be in comfortable clothes. For the photoshoot, we will have you wear your "Love Yourself" tshirt, which is part of the photoshoot package. All shirts will be in black.
2. The package will also include basic grooming to ensure you look your best in your photo. For people who would like to do more to enhance their look, there is a salon (BND Hair Gallery) right beside the venue (as in literally next door) -- you may choose to avail of their hair and make-up package, this is entirely up to you.
3. During the actual photoshoot, you will be asked to pose for 15 frames. The photographer and a creative director will assist you on how to best project, so you don't have to worry even if it's your first time to go for a photoshoot. It is our mutual goal to make you look your best! Out of the 15 frames, we shall pick 1 best shot, a high-resolution copy of which will be sent to you via email.

FAQ
1. Do I have to bring anything?
Bring Php1,000 as your donation to The Love Yourself Project. With this, you can avail of the free Love Yourself t-shirt, basic grooming, and the photoshoot. Aside from this, you are not expected to bring anything else.
2. Are the Love Yourself t-shirts available for sale, separate from the photoshoot package?
Yes, they can be purchased at the venue for Php400 each.
3. Will there be lots of people in the venue?
We hope to have a lot of people there to support the project! But for the actual photoshoot area, we shall keep the number of people to a minimum so you can concentrate on projecting your best look without being conscious of many people watching. For your photoshoot, it should be your own private moment - so relax and focus on looking great!
5. May I bring a friend who wants to go for the same photoshoot but has not registered in the website?
Sure, the more the many-er!

If you have other questions, email TLYproject@gmail.com. Otherwise, see you there - we'll have fun!

Sample final product:

Be a Peer Educator for the Love Yourself Project!

2011-09-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

We are announcing the availability of volunteer opportunities as Peer Educator for the Love Yourself Project (TLYP). Requirements are as follows:

The heart to help: all TLYP volunteers have the genuine heart to help, regardless of personal benefit or remuneration.
Actual experience or observable potential for skill acquisition related to teaching, facilitating, or training.
Commitment to being part of the Peer Educator Pool for at least 1 year.

If you are interested, we would like to invite you to register as a potential Peer Educator here.

Registration ends September 30, 2011, or when all slots are filled up, whichever comes earlier.

Selected candidates will undergo a 3-day Peer Educator workshop on October 8, 9, and 15, 2011. Below is the brief description of the workshop. Details will be sent to selected candidates.

A Peer Educator is first and foremost a peer -- he is the same and equal with his audience. As such, he is able to easily relate to his audienceʼs specific circumstances, to intimately understand their challenges, and therefore more effectively facilitate not only learning but, more importantly, the application of such learning. In short, a peer educator is a very effective instrument to inspire, initiate and encourage behavior change among members of his audience. This workshop enables one to be a Peer Educator. In this workshop, one learns the following: (1) the fundamental body of knowledge on the topic of STIs and HIV/AIDS; (2) issues faced by people who are most at risk to be affected by HIV/AIDS ; (3) facilitation and teaching skills to effectively deliver a learning session among peers. A critical goal of this workshop is to raise the self-awareness of its attendees so as to rid themselves of prejudices that stand in the way of being a true peer to his audience.

911: An HIV Confidential Counseling and Testing Event

2011-09-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

Event organizers and volunteers posing for a souvenir photo
after a whole day of work -- tired but happy!

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- On September 11, 2011 the Love Yourself (VINN Advocacy) group, a not-for-profit organization focused on HIV prevention among the youth and LGBT-MSM (Men who have Sex with Men), in association with Quezon City Health Department (QCHD), held their 2nd quarter advocacy project, “911: An HIV Confidential Counseling and Testing Event” at 35 West Avenue, Quezon City. The event was undertaken together with volunteers from Quezon City Health Department (QCHD), Take The Test, AIDS Society of the Philippines and representatives from SaMACKA. The event was able to serve a total of 89 clients from 10am to 6pm on that day.

The program promoted voluntary testing option to the 89 clients, and all of them signed the informed consent form to take the HIV Confidential Counseling and Testing. Of the 89 clients that were counseled and tested, 81 were male, 4 were female, and 4 were transgender. The 89 individuals ranged from 18 to 48 years old.

As per DOH protocol, during the post-test counseling and release of the rapid HIV test result, all the clients were given instructions:

The blood samples of the clients that turned out to be reactive will be sent to National Reference Laboratory-STD AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory / San Lazaro Hospital to undergo an HIV confirmatory test. The Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) will contact the client after two weeks and the results will be given. If confirmed positive, the client will undergo further laboratory tests, most importantly the CD4 level to determine the need for administration of anti-retroviral drugs.

Free HIV Confidential Counseling and Testing on Sunday, 9/11

2011-09-07T19:38:00.000-07:00

What: HIV Confidential Counseling and Testing - it's FREE! No charge!

When: Sunday, 11 September 2011 (10am to 5pm)

Where: Playroom - 35 West Avenue, Quezon City

Location Map:

A viral kind of love

2011-09-06T08:34:00.000-07:00

Manila Bulletin, September 6, 2011. Wellness Section, Page C5.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/333342/a-viral-kind-love

Groupon Philippines Lends Online Platform To Support HIV Awareness

2011-09-04T20:47:00.000-07:00

Inaugural G-Team "Deal" signed with The Love Yourself Project and Frenzy condoms

MANILA-- Groupon Philippines (http://www.groupon.ph/) will feature an unprecedented online deal on September 11, 2011 to support The Love Yourself Project, which aims to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines through education and counseling.

The deal, which will go live on 9/11, will raise the ‘9-1-1’ emergency signal on the staggering rise of HIV cases in the Philippines. According to a July report from the Department of Health -National Epidemiology Center, the Philippines is in the brink of an epidemic-level spread of HIV. July 2011 registered 204 newly-diagnosed HIV cases, the highest logged in a single month, and a 56% increase compared to the same period last year. The Philippines is 1 of only 7 countries worldwide where HIV cases are increasing.
The deal will allow anyone with internet access to donate to the cause either through a P100 cash donation, a P400 donation which comes with a free Love Yourself t-shirt, and a P1000 donation that entitles Groupon holders to the Love Yourself photoshoot on September 24, complete with a pre-shoot styling session and a free Love Yourself t-shirt. The deal will run from September 11 and end on September 13.

Frenzy condoms also agreed to match each Groupon sold with an in-kind donation of condoms, which will be distributed during The Love Yourself Project’s various outreach, testing and counseling sessions.

The deal is Groupon’s inaugural G-Team deal outside North America. Groupon was born out of collective action and fundraising platform The Point in 2008, and later channeled its philanthropic roots into the launch of G-Team. While Groupon enables shoppers to discover the best their city has to offer, G-Team further connects consumers to their cities by spotlighting local organizations. Facilitating support through the collective action-by-tipping point model that Groupon pioneered, G-Team campaigns are designed around an organization’s specific need, like fundraising to create school supply kits, but only ‘go live’ if a certain number of people agree to participate. There is no cost for mission-driven organizations to participate in G-Team and all proceeds directly benefit the featured cause. This innovative approach to fundraising has raised more than PhP12M for various organizations.

"We are excited to employ the ‘people power’ model of Groupon’s G-Team to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines," said Ronivin Garcia Pagtakhan, CEO/President of The Love Yourself Project. "We are honored to be the first organization featured by The G-Team in the Philippines."

To avail of this deal, just log on to http://www.groupon.ph/ at 12 noon on September 11, 20011, and follow the instructions. While there is no cap for the P100 donation, quantities are limited for the t-shirts and photoshoot sessions.

About Groupon

Groupon, launched in November 2008 in Chicago, features a daily deal on the best stuff to do, eat, see and buy in 45 countries around the world. Groupon uses collective buying power to offer huge discounts and provide a win-win for business and consumers, delivering more than 1,000 daily deals globally. To subscribe for the best deals in your city, visit　http://www.groupon.ph/.

About The Love Yourself Project
The Love Yourself Project aims to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youth and key affected population in the Philippines, primarily through education and counseling. It is the first project by the VINN Advocacy group, which was founded by Twitter Shorty Awards Nurse of The Year Awardee Ronivin (Vinn) Garcia Pagtakhan. The Love Yourself Project is supported by popular TV personality Boy Abunda (United Nations Population Fund spokesperson), Rep. Rissa Hontiveros (Akbayan), and actors Paulo Avelino and Rocco Nacino.

What to expect when you go for HIV testing

2011-09-04T10:01:00.000-07:00

Since we're having a free HIV confidential counseling and testing event on my birthday, September 11, I'd like to give you a primer on what to expect when you go for a proper HIV testing process.

Step One: The Form. When you arrive at the testing venue, you will be asked to fill out a form. The form is shown below.

Most people's first question is -- should I reveal my real identity? The official answer is YES, because all information written in this form will be handled in strict confidence. My personal, non-official answer is this: it is up to you. When you fill out this form, the name you write will not be cross-checked with any other identification documents (passport, IDs, etc.) This means, whatever name you write in this form is taken as is. If you so decide to put an alias or fake name, just be sure you remember it so there is no confusion during the time you are given your results later on.

Regarding other demographic-related questions in the form -- here are some of my personal thoughts:

Permanent Address/mailing address: not important, you may specify only your area and city, e.g. Sampaloc, Manila; or South Triangle, Quezon City.
Contact Number: VERY IMPORTANT, please specify here your personal mobile number that you use most often. This is critical because it will be used in case there is an urgent need to give you important information regarding the results of your test.
Other demographic information (birthday, sex, age, etc.): fairly important, used for statistics keeping of the DOH -- I suggest you put your real information here just to help the DOH-NEC to capture accurate statistics. These information will not be used to identify you.

For the rest of the form (employment history, travel history, history of HIV test, etc.), you may or may not be asked to fill these all out. A counselor may help fill this out with you during the next step of the process. The information you give here will be used to assess your risk, which will help your counselor in providing life-saving information and recommendations appropriate and customized to you and your situation. I recommend that you be "honest-to-the-bone" when you answer these questions, as this will directly impact the recommendations that will be given you for your own well-being.

Step Two: The Pre-Test Counseling. After filling out the form, you may be asked to wait for a little bit, depending on the number of people who have come to the testing venue ahead of you. When it is your turn, a friendly HIV counselor will approach you and lead you to a private area for a one-on-one counseling session. The counselor will look at the form you have filled out and will help you complete it. He or she will also, in the most sensitive, friendly but honest and direct way, ask you questions that will help him or her assess your risks in contracting sexually transmitted infections and most specifically HIV. My recommendation: be totally honest. You may share with your counselor how you feel about the situation, perhaps your fears and inhibitions, and he or she will help you to the most of his ability. An HIV counselor is trained to listen and handle such conversations with complete confidentiality and sensitivity. S/he is there to help you.

In some cases, the Pre-Test Counseling is preceded by a short HIV/STI class (10-15 minutes long) wherein a Peer Educator will provide a small group of people some important information about HIV and STI in an interactive lecture format. This is done mostly to help the individuals get critical information even prior to the one-on-one counseling. When this HIV/STI class is not given, the counselor will provide the same set of critical information to the individual embedded in their one-on-one pre-test counseling session.

Towards the end of the pre-test counseling session, the counselor is required to verify that you are willingly and in your own volition, submitting yourself to go through the HIV test. To ensure that you are indeed voluntarily going for HIV testing, he will ask you to sign the following Informed Consent form:

If you have even an iota of doubt about having the test, it is alright to say no, and say you're not ready yet. The counselor will understand and respect your decision. It is important to understand that no one is forcing you, and that the process will proceed only if you want it to. If you decide to proceed with the test, you will be asked to use an alis, a code, for further confidentiality and privacy. This alias will be used in the official records of the process (labeling your papers, results, etc.), to further protect your identity. Again, each step of the way, the process ensures the confidentiality of all information given.

Upon verification of the counselor that you are indeed voluntarily submitting yourself for an HIV test, he will lead you to the medical technologist.

Step Three: The Actual Test. The medtech will draw blood from a vein in one of your arms. About 5 ml of blood will be drawn. After the blood is drawn, you will be asked to stay in a waiting area.

Step Four: The Waiting. It is important to note that while you are just waiting, this is a very critical step in the process. This is the most excruciating and stressful period in the whole process. Even if the wait is only 15, 20, or 30 minutes -- it may feel like the longest period in your whole life. When I went for my very first test, I thought I was going to faint! So, my recommendation is this: while waiting, don't forget to breathe. If you're alone, go to a quiet corner and practice deep breathing. If you are with a companion, you may want to converse about something totally different, or whatever topic you feel will help you relax. Whatever you do, try to relax. Easier said than done, but I insist, try to relax. Stressing about the upcoming results will not change anything, and will just further your emotional distress. So, do what you need to do to relax.

Step Five: The Post-Test Counseling. When your results are ready, your alias or codename will be called. This, or that your counselor will approach you and again bring you to a private area for one-on-one counseling. He will deliver the result of your HIV test and engage you in a conversational counseling session to help you map out next steps based on the results of your test. Whatever the result may be, remember that at this point, your counselor is your best ally. Ask him any question you may have. He is there to help you the best he can. After your counseling session, you may leave the premises.

Whatever the result of your HIV test, congratulate yourself for having the courage to go through the process. As you will discover, it is not easy, and it can be such a harrowing experience -- especially if you let fear get the better of you. But as you step out of the testing venue, give yourself a pat on the back. You went through your test because you love yourself. You went through it because you care for your loved ones. Regardless of the result, for most of us, it will be like a thorn is plucked from your aching heart, or a huge baggage is lifted from your heavy chest. Now you know your status, you are in the best position to take care of yourself. Because you have dared to know, you can take care of yourself better, and share more the love you have for yourself and for others. Congrats!

If you have any questions regarding this process, there is always someone willing to help. Email help@loveyourself.ph -- and expect a response within 24 hours.

- Migs

Free Confidential and Private HIV Testing on 9/11

2011-09-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

Have you been thinking of getting tested yet all the places you know are open only during office hours on weekdays? Well, here's a schedule that's on a Sunday! It will be held in a private (not in a government clinic) and discreet location, for your own privacy and convenience.

What: HIV Confidential Counseling and Testing - it's FREE! No charge!
When: Sunday, 11 September 2011 (10am to 5pm)
Where: Playroom - 35 West Avenue, Quezon City

(The venue is inside a discreet building complex between Quezon Avenue and Del Monte Avenue. Between the restaurants 'Mister Kebab' and 'Mang Inasal'. The front of the building complex has establishments such as 'Slice n' Dice' and 'Don Esteban'.)

If you are still dilly-dallying, I suggest you think hard NOW before the free HIV RAPID Test Kits run out. When they do, it will be difficult to find a place that'll do it for free (no charge).

If you think you need someone to talk to, or accompany you through this experience of testing, you may email The Love Yourself Project help@loveyourself.ph -- someone is available to help!

Map here:

Larger View? Click to see this in a larger map

Our Dream

2011-08-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

The Love Yourself House: a clinic, safe house, and resource center for the youth & LGBT-MSM.

[Artwork by Jun Nenada]

Thank You Very Much!

2011-08-25T05:09:00.000-07:00

Maraming salamat po!

We were so overwhelmed with your show of love for The Love Yourself Project. It was great seeing the enthusiastic crowd at SM Megamall Cinema 9 last August 23, 2011. The two films were very well received, glad to have featured these two great movies from filmmakers who believe in our cause.

We would like to thank the following event sponsors: Garage Magazine, Bed Manila, Moonleaf, Brian Cua, Maroy Lamigo, V-Factor, and Chef Joerksen Catering Services. Also, our partners and friends in the advocacy: Woodwater Center for Healing, Take the Test, AIDS Society of the Philippines, Yoga for Life, YAFA, Ladlad, The Library Foundation, Akbayan, and Risa Hontiveros & company.

We are now accepting more volunteers -- those who would like to join our efforts in stopping the spread of HIV in the Philippines through counseling and education, please register here.

Paulo Avelino Loves The Love Yourself Project

2011-08-22T05:23:00.000-07:00

Lest We Forget The More Important Things

2011-08-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

The flurry of activities for The Love Yourself Project especially this month of August has made all of us, officers, advisers, and volunteers run around like indefatigable energizer bunnies. All the organizational requirements (SEC, BIR, City Permits, etc.), plus two major fund-raising activities, these are all good and necessary for TLYP's start-up.

But before we dive into another busy weekend, in preparation for the group's public launch on August 23, I want to share with you something: behind the cloud of activities this month is the REAL WORK that we do.

We have been receiving numerous emails from many individuals, asking for help and assistance -- they come in the form of worried questions, requests for information about HIV and other STIs, and notably a lot, requests to be accompanied for their HIV test. We respond to them and ensure we do our best to address their HIV-related concerns. I have personally accompanied no less than 5 individuals this month alone for their HIV test, and I know other TLYP members do the same.

We have been continuing our coaching, counseling, and assistance services, specifically to those who participated in our first HIV Confidential Counseling and Testing event last July 10, 2011.

We are incidental event organizers -- as TLYP members, we are first and foremost HIV educators and counselors. We take this role to heart, and very seriously; while many people may see only the fun activities we post on our Facebook Walls, behind all these are the less fabulous but more important work that we do.

For those who would like to avail of our counseling and education services - email us at TLYproject@gmail.com

For those who would like to join and volunteer, you are most welcome do so. Sign up here.

Thank you!

- Migs, TLYP volunteer

Thanks, Open Shoot Participants!

2011-08-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

Hello, gorgeous. Your portraits will be released on Sunday, August 21, 2011.

Rocco Nacino Supports The Love Yourself Project

2011-08-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

ROCCO NACINO supports The Love Yourself Project!

His movie "Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa" will be featured back-to-back with "Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington" in a special benefit screening on August 23, 2011, (7PM) Tuesday, at the SM Megamall Cinema 9.

Proceeds from this event will be used to support the free counseling and assistance services that TLYP provides to the youth and key population affected by HIV/AIDS in the Philippines.

Get your tickets NOW! Reserve here.

Rocco with Vinn Pagtakhan, TLYP Founding President.

Rocco with James Bon (left, VP TLYP) and Vinn Pagtakhan (right, Pres. TLYP).

Boy Abunda: "We'll Fight HIV Together!"

2011-08-11T17:24:00.000-07:00

Boy Abunda, TV Personality and Ladlad's Sr. Political Adviser, and Vinn Pagtakhan, Love Yourself's Founding President - "we'll fight HIV together!"

Photo by Ian Felix Alquiros (taken Aug. 11, 2011 at The Room, Quezon City)

How is HIV Transmitted?

2011-08-09T21:28:00.000-07:00

How do you get HIV?
HIV is transmitted through contact with the blood, semen, vaginal fluid or breast milk of someone already infected with HIV. It is most commonly spread through unprotected sex or during injection drug use, when needles or other drug paraphernalia are shared. The virus needs a human body to survive. It cannot live for very long outside the body.

HIV can enter the body during unprotected sex.
Anal or vaginal intercourse without a condom carries a high risk for HIV transmission. Getting penetrated without a condom by someone who is HIV positive is the riskiest behavior for HIV infection. Penetrating an HIV positive person without a condom has less risk than being the penetrated partner, but is still considered risky. Getting HIV from oral sex is possible, but quite rare.

HIV can enter the body by sharing needles to inject drugs.
Sharing needles with someone already living with HIV carries a high risk of infection. Sharing cookers, cottons and other parts of the injection process with someone living with HIV can also transmit the disease.

Knowing your HIV status and the HIV status of your sexual or needle-sharing partners is vital to preventing new infections.
If you find out that you have HIV, you can take steps to lower the risk of infecting anyone else. Getting treatment will protect your health and may also lower the risk of infecting anyone else. If you do not have HIV, knowing the HIV status of your sex partners or the people you shoot drugs with will help you lower the risk of getting HIV. Getting tested for HIV regularly is an important part of taking care of yourself and your community.

How do you know someone's status?
Ask them! You cannot tell by looking at someone if they have HIV. Be in the habit of asking your sex partners when they had their last HIV test. It’s an important part of lowering your risk.

Keep in mind that a person could be infected for as long as six months before an HIV test will show a positive result (sometimes, they will show a positive result within a few weeks of being infected), so it's a good idea to ask a few more questions, like whether they've done anything risky since their last negative test.

[Source: SF AIDS Foundation]

Open Shoot - this Sunday na!

2011-08-09T20:44:00.000-07:00

Have you signed up for our fun open shoot? With just a Php1,000 donation to The Love Yourself Project, you can avail of a free t-shirt, basic grooming services, and a photoshoot with Photographer and Portratist Ian Felix Alquiros.

It's going to be this Sunday, August 14, 2011! If you haven't yet, sign up here.

For those coming, here are some information that may help you:

How to get there (for those taking public utility vehicles)
The address is: Ground Floor, Crown 88 Condominium, #88 Panay Ave., near corner Timog Ave., Quezon City.

1. If you are coming from either the south (e.g. Makati) or North (e.g. Monumento) your best bet would be the MRT. Alight at the Quezon Ave. Station, where you will see a McDonald's branch. Across the side of McDo you will find tricycles that can take you to the venue. Give the address or say "Crown 88 Condo, 88 Panay" and you'll be fine. Alternatively, from the Quezon Ave./EDSA corner, you may take a jeepney towards Quiapo and go down BIR or "Klownz Comedy Bar" on Quezon Ave. Behind BIR/Klownz is Panay Ave., and very near the venue.
2. If you are coming from Quiapo/Espana, take a PUJ to Fairview, alight at BIR/Klownz along Quezon Ave. Behind BIR/Klownz is Panay Ave., and very near the venue.
3. If you are coming from Nova/UP Philcoa, take a PUJ to Quiapo, alight at BIR/Klownz along Quezon Ave. Behind BIR/Klownz is Panay Ave., and very near the venue.
Another landmark that is near the venue is Wensha Spa in Timog. The venue is a 3-minute walk from Wensha.

Photoshoot proper
1. Be in comfortable clothes. For the photoshoot, we will have you wear your "Love Yourself" tshirt, which is part of the photoshoot package. All shirts will be in black.
2. The package will also include basic grooming to ensure you look your best in your photo. For people who would like to do more to enhance their look, there is a salon (BND Hair Gallery) right beside the venue (as in literally next door) -- you may choose to avail of their hair and make-up package, this is entirely up to you.
3. During the actual photoshoot, you will be asked to pose for 15 frames. The photographer and a creative director will assist you on how to best project, so you don't have to worry even if it's your first time to go for a photoshoot. It is our mutual goal to make you look your best! Out of the 15 frames, we shall pick 1 best shot, a high-resolution copy of which will be sent to you via email.

FAQ
1. Do I have to bring anything?
Bring Php1,000 as your donation to The Love Yourself Project. With this, you can avail of the free Love Yourself t-shirt, basic grooming, and the photoshoot. Aside from this, you are not expected to bring anything else.
2. Are the Love Yourself t-shirts available for sale, separate from the photoshoot package?
Yes, they can be purchased at the venue for Php400 each.
3. Will there be lots of people in the venue?
We hope to have a lot of people there to support the project! But for the actual photoshoot area, we shall keep the number of people to a minimum so you can concentrate on projecting your best look without being conscious of many people watching. For your photoshoot, it should be your own private moment - so relax and focus on looking great!
4. I want to buy tickets for the special screening of "Sayaw" and "Zombadings" - are they available in the venue as well?
Yes, individual movie passes sell for Php300 each, while a pass for both movies sell for Php500 (that's Php100 off!).
5. May I bring a friend who wants to go for the same photoshoot but has not registered in the website?
Sure, the more the many-er!

Let us know if you have other questions by emailing TLYproject@gmail.com. Otherwise, see you there - we'll have fun!

Reserve your tickets now!

2011-08-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

<a href="http://www.linkedtube.com/L6G0cMvS0fU5660d470a79d27ea16ba1a677c4075c7.htm">LinkedTube</a>

Come to our Benefit Screening of "Sayaw" and "Zombadings"

2011-08-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

(Click the image for a bigger version of the poster.)

Tickets will be available via SM Tickets soon. Meanwhile, you can reserve your tickets by filling out this form.

Proceeds from this benefit screening will support the provision of free counseling and assistance services to the youth and key populations affected by HIV/AIDS in the Philippines.

Poster design by Edwin Lacap.

Dare to Care and Share!

2011-08-03T08:24:00.000-07:00

The League of Lovers

2011-07-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

They are the lovers, lovers of The Love Yourself Project.

Join them by joining The Love Yourself Charity Photoshoot!

The Love Yourself Charity Photoshoot

2011-07-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

Tara, photoshoot na!

You are invited to participate in Ian Felix Alquiros' first charity photoshoot for the benefit of The Love Yourself Project. All profit generated will be used in the provision of free counseling and assistance to the youth and key population affected by HIV/AIDS. Photoshoot participants donate Php1,000 which entitle them to (1) one Love Yourself t-shirt; (2) grooming services for the shoot; and (3) one digital photo layout, in the style of "Love Yourself." They say a picture is worth a thousand words -- in this special charity photoshoot, it's worth a thousand pesos and a lot of love, for yourself and for a society we envision free from the scare of HIV/AIDS.

This photoshoot is open to all generous souls and beautiful people who have the heart to help. It will be on Sunday, August 14, 2011, from 10 AM to 10 PM, at #88 Panay Avenue, Quezon City [location map]. Get a priority shoot timeslot that's most convenient for you, register here.

We are now SEC-registered!

2011-07-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

The Love Yourself (VINN Advocacy for the LGBT-MSM) has been officially recognized as a corporation by the Philippine government on July 21, 2011.

LoveYourself (VINN Advocacy for the LGBT-MSM) Inc.
Company Reg. No. CN201112409.
Company TIN 008-086-738.

A definite milestone for the organization. Cheers!

Gibbs Cadiz: "I dodged a bullet."

2011-07-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

Gibbs Cadiz, Lifestyle desk editor and editorial writer at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, recently took his first HIV test. We feature below his honest and wonderful storytelling. Gibbs is a supporter of The Love Yourself Project.

I had long danced around the idea of taking the test, for one simple reason: I was terrified. Despite my conscientious efforts otherwise, I have had occasional lapses of my own when it came to risky bedroom behavior. All these years the specter of the virus had seemed quite remote, abstract to me. I comforted myself in the thought that I was not into the alcohol-soaked scene, I didn't do drugs or Ecstasy parties and so had never lost my faculties in the haze of intoxication, had never frequented the bathhouse, took relatively good care of my health, and, at 40, has never had a major illness or health breakdown requiring hospital care.

But who knew, really? Those occasional lapses were troubling enough, but just this year the subject became alarmingly starker, more personal when a number of friends, and friends and friends, revealed they had gotten the virus. Too, the anecdotal stories were piling up--about otherwise young, healthy gay men around the metro who were suddenly getting sick or dropping like flies from suspicious-sounding causes, pneumonia chief among them. One moment you saw them hale and hearty at the gym or our (wholesome, I must assert) Fabcasters parties, the next you saw their Facebook accounts peppered with goodbye messages. Chilling.

There's no way around the truth: It's here... Truth to tell, I had absolutely no idea how I would react if the test proved positive. At the back of my mind, I knew it was a possibility--one friend swore he engaged in risky sex only once in his life, and yet he got it--but I couldn't get that far ahead in terms of imagining how my life would have to change if push did come to shove. It wasn't myself I was too worried about; I knew I could, surely after some period of self-anger, blame and regret, get around eventually to a sort of rapprochement with the new reality. It's the thought of telling the people around me, of having to burden them with my condition--my mother and family, especially--that cut at me deeply.

Read the full article here.

"Harapin na, para magawaan ng paraan."

2011-07-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

Using an AIDS patients dramatic recovery to demonstrate the effect Topsy and its antiretroviral (ARV) treatment programme can have on those battling the advanced effects of HIV/AIDS. When treated, a person on the verge of death can return to health in a matter of months.

And, Selinah today:

Let's talk. You are safe here.

2011-07-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

The Love Yourself (VINN Advocacy) project opens its doors to the youth and MSM community - inviting them to reach out, to talk, in a highly discreet and confidential conversation with the group's trained HIV counselors and life coaches. Fear and shame need not be barriers to seeking help. Love yourself, and let's talk. You are safe here. Email us at TLYproject@gmail.com

Davao girl, 12, becomes youngest to contract HIV thru sex

2011-07-18T23:02:00.001-07:00

DAVAO CITY -- A 12–year-old girl from this city has become the youngest person to become infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through sexual intercourse, a city health official said.

Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, City Health Office (CHO) chief, said the girl is the youngest since the city started monitoring HIV cases in 1993.

"Naay mga bata na karon na naga-engage na sa sex at a very young age (There are children now who engage in sex at a very young age)," Villafuerte said.

She said 22 new cases of persons living with HIV, 21 of them are males, have been recorded between January and March this year. The new cases have brought the number of persons living with HIV in the city to 140.

Villafuerte said 39 new cases have been recorded in the city in the whole of 2010.

Although the figure shows that HIV is prevalent among men, Villafuerte said it is not yet conclusive that the highest incidence in the city is indeed men having sex with men.

HIV is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids). Aids is the late stage of the chronic disease, which is caused by HIV infection.

"Even if they are positive with HIV, there is still hope. There are free medicines we can provide for them," Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte said HIV must not be associated with death since there are advancements, which can now prolong the lives of persons living with HIV.

Less than 20 people have died of HIV infection in the Davao City since 1993, she said. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on July 18, 2011.

source:

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2011/07/17/davao-girl-12-becomes-youngest-contract-hiv-thru-sex-167390

OFW Shares His HIV Test Experience

2011-07-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

Migs the Manila Gay Guy is a big supporter of The Love Yourself Project. Below is an email from one of his blog readers, codenamed Oidlei1980, relating his experience and lessons learned from going through his HIV test. We're sharing this letter here with permission from both Migs and Oidlei1980 in the hopes that a more positive and hopeful energy would embrace all of us who are concerned with the growing number of people infected and affected by HIV here in the Philippines. As Migs would repeat in his blog, sending all of you light and love!

- o -

Dear Migs,

Greetings of Peace! (maiba namn from your World Peace!..hahahaha)

Noong una I just got interested sa mga pictures posted sa website mo and I really did enjoy those and never paid much attention sa mga blogs and any other information posted...na very ironic for me to do that because mahilig ako magbasa. Kaya noong mga panahon na yun I just spent most of my time kakatingin ng mga pictures kung ano ang mga bago and minsan kahit na view ko na cge lng ng cge...and to the point na napadalang na ang pagbisita ko sa website/blogsite mo...makabasa lang ng konti pictures na naman... but biglang nagbago ang lahat a month ago.

I am working abroad for almost 5 years na, and as a requirement every time ka na magrenew ng working visa mo you need to undergo series of medical examinations and kasama na doon ang HIV and other STD tests. I am a discreet straight acting gay...I am discreet sa family ko but I know alam nila, di lang napag-uusapan (next topic nlang yan sa next email ko sa you) sa mga friends ko here sa abroad they know but I am very discreet but not pretending to be a man (may kaibahan yun pra sa akin..another good topic to discuss sa fabcast/podcast)...so I was involved or doing MSM activities na alam natin na if hindi nag-iingat posibleng makadaupang-palad (malalim na tagalog to ha!) si Aida Macaraeg. Sa ganitong sitwasyon if you have indulged yourself sa activities na ito then magkakaroon ka talaga ng pangamba sa panahon na ikaw ay due for medical examination/HIV/STD tests. I am not really active but had several sexual encounters. Mayroon akong one sexual encounter na di safe and yun lang, and that was few years ago I had my HIV test for that year, negative naman but sabi ko sa sarili ko baka sa susunod na test na ito doon na sya madetect...kaya I have lots of fears...about my future and my family, as a breadwinner sa pamilya paano na lang if mawalan ako ng trabho after malaman na positive ako and maybe madedeport pa ako and lahat nalang na mga negatibong bagay ang sumasagi sa isipan ko noong mga panahon na iyon.

Subalit lahat ay nagbago pati na ang atensyon na inilalaan ko sa website/blogsite mo (manilagayguy.net). Biglang nagbago ang lahat a month ago, when I was due again for an annual medical examination/HIV/STD tests for the renewal of my visa. Balisa ako and hindi mapalagay at iniisip na baka dahil sa isang unsafe sex ko baka this time madetect na sya and maging positive ako. Hindi ako makatulog ng sinabi ng HR ko need ko na daw magpamedical examination for my visa but insist talaga ako na postponed muna kasi busy ako a week before and hindi ako na-inform ng maaga so baka makaapekto sa results ko na pagod ako.Ang lahat na lang na mga alibis na maisip ko para lang madelayed lang ang examination. Ang katotohanan sa likod ng mga alibis na yun ay ang takot ko na harapin ang naturang HIV/STD tests... wla akong pakialam sa other examniations doon lang talaga nakafocus ang mind ko... apektado ako ng sobra.

Dahil sa delaying tactics ko nagkaroon ako ng mahabang panahon mag-isip...educate and sarili ko sa AIDS virus na fear ko talagang magkaroon. Isang araw sa pagsusurf ko ulit sa net...binisita ko muli ang website/blogsite mo at ang lahat talaga ay parang inihanda sa akin para maeducate ako sa issue ng AIDS....tamang-tama napakinggan ko sa Fabcast/Podcast nyo ang kwento and interview sa isang dating nagwowork sa cruise ship. Doon nagsimula na mas lalo kong na-educate ang sarili ko and nabigyan ng linaw ang mga agam-agam ko kung ano ang mga tulong na makukuha ko from the government natin if uuwi ako sa pinas na positibo ako. Napaghandaan ko rin and mas naging positibo ako sa pagharap sa kung ano man ang consequences ng action ko dati. Nawala ang mga pangamba ko and mas naging open ako sa kahit anong posibillities in terms of sa pagbabago ng buhay ko. Higit sa lahat through sa blog mo nang nagshare ka about sa dilemma mo or fear mo noong ikaw mismo ang nasa sitwasyon na nagpa-HIV test ka. Iniimagine ko yon habang binabasa ko ang blog mo...but nagustuhan ko doon ang support ng sister mo sa iyo...and higit sa lahat ang idea na namention mo sa blog mo na yun na...na dapat natin harapin ang fear natin and para at least habang maaga, if positibo, then alam natin kung paano maagapan or makagwa tayo ng mga measures para maibsan ang stress, lungkot at iba pang bagay na naidulot ng pagkakaroon ng AIDS and instead magmukmok gawin positibo/makabuluhan ang buhay at maging instrumento upang makapagbahagi ng impormasyon ukol sa nakakamatay na AIDS.

Lahat ng mga impormasyon from the fabcast/podcast, emotion mo Migs na iniimagine ko while nagpatest ka baon ko yun ng nagpatest ako last month. I was so friendly sa lahat ng mga tao sa hospital although my language barriers but super friendly talaga ako. Una urine, xray, ultrasound, eyes, dental, heart, bp and last ang sa HIV/STD tests. Hindi ako takot sa injection pero takot ako sa resulta ng dugo na kinuha nila sa akin. Naging matapang ako nun kasi handa na ako sa kung ano ang magiging resulta and anong steps na gagawin ko if maging positibo ako... at yan dahil sa iyong website/blogsite. After a day ang results makukuha. Pwede in the afternoon makukuha kaya lang hindi naman nirush ng HR namin so next day morning makukuha na yun... medyo may kaba konti but carry lang... handa na nga ako...hehehehe. So hindi ako tumawag sa HR namin if nandyan na ang results hinintay ko ang after lunch para tumawag. Mga 1pm nang tinawagan ko ang HR at sabi ng assistant... d pa daw nakuha kasi tumawag daw ang accredited medical lab.hospital for visa processing nang umaga na sa hapon na daw balikan. Doon naman nanumbalik ang kaba ko and naalala ko din ang eksena na yan sa blog mo Migs na sinabi mo doon na parang natandaan ka ng medtech when you are about to see your results...same din sa akin. Feeling ko may problem kasi bakit tumawag na sa hapon pa kunin ang results maybe may problema or maybe ipapatawag na ako ng HR para sabihin na sa akin na hindi na pwede macontinue ang contract ko and hindi na maprocess ang visa ko kasi positive ako.

After kung malaman na ganun ang sitwasyon..sabi ko My God baka nga positibo ako.. kailangan kung tanggapin ito..kung baga may reasons naman for everything...doon ko na muling binalikan...ang nakalipas. ang isang sexual encounter ko na hindi safe...sabi ko bakit ko hinayaan na mangyari na makipagtalik na hindi safe.Bakit ginawa ko yun and now ako ang nagsusuffer... Sana... sana... sana... sana... lahat nalang ng mga sana ang naisip ko. Around 2pm tinawagan ko ang HR office sabi nila papunta na daw ang in-charged na HR para kunin ang results ko sa hospital...and nagpsalamat ako sa information na nakuha ko but matamlay at pilit na pasasalamat. By past 5pm tinawagan ko na ang kumuha ng results"How's the results?" tanong ko. "Everything is ok." ang sagot niya.

Alam mo na Migs kung ano siguro ang feeling ko ng malaman ko na negative ako. Parang gusto kong magwala! Gusto kong sumigaw sa saya na naging negative ako sa HIV/STD tests... kasabay ng saya ang namukod tangi ay ang lessons that I have learned out of this experience... ayaw ko na nang ganoong mga pangamba while due na nman ako sa medical examination next year... ayaw ko na ng sleepless nights... ayaw ko na ng unsafe sex. Hindi ko namn sinabi na wala ng buhay after maging positibo ka sa AIDS... in the other hand nga mas nagiging mas makabuluhan pa nga ang buhay after na madiagnosed ka na may AIDS but may mga limitasyon na...dba? Anyways salamat at negatibo tayo, and sa mga kapatid natin na naging positibo tuloy lng ang laban there is life after the diagnoses and sa mga takot at hindi pa handa harapan ang HIV test... maging matapang para sa kaligtasan ng sarili at sa kaligtasan ng mga mahal mo sa buhay.

Migs, ako ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa mga impormasyon na ibinabahagi mo sa aming mga tagasubay-bay mo. Now na part ka na ng HIV counseling team and kasama na doon ang advocacy mo sa HIV/AIDS, nawa'y madami ka pang mga taong mabahagian ng iyong gift from Him. Keep up the good job!

More stories to share sa u and one thing for sure lagi na akong dumadalaw sa website/blogsite mo and I spent more time hindi lang sa mga pics but sa mga nakasulat dito and I even shared it also to one of my gay friend na nasa abroad din.

SALAMAT!!!

More Power! God Bless and Good Health!

World Peace!

Oidlei1980

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We encourage you to share your time, skills, effort, or perhaps financial support to The Love Yourself Project. Sign up here!

Do you want to help?

2011-07-15T23:01:00.000-07:00

We welcome everyone who has the heart to help in the effort to curb the increase of HIV infection among the youth and MSMs in the Philippines. Every little contribution is welcome - your time, effort, skill, or financial support - we welcome all the help!

Fill out this volunteer form.

A Day with the Boys: An HIV Confidential Counseling and Testing Event

2011-07-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

On July 10, 2011 the Love Yourself (VINN Advocacy) group, a not-for-profit organization focused on HIV prevention among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), in association with the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD), held their first advocacy project, “A Day with the Boys: An HIV Confidential Counseling and Testing Event” at 35 West Avenue, Quezon City. The event was undertaken together with volunteers from QCHD, Pinoy Plus, Take The Test, and representatives from SaMACKA. The event was able to serve a total of 54 clients from 10am to 5pm on that day.

All 54 clients that were counseled and tested declared themselves as Men who have Sex with Men (MSM).

As per DOH protocol, during the post-test counseling and release of the rapid HIV test result, all clients were given instructions:

The blood samples of clients that turned out reactive will be sent to National Reference Laboratory-STD AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory / San Lazaro Hospital to undergo the confirmatory test. The QCHD will contact the client after two weeks and the results will be given. If confirmed positive, the client will undergo further laboratory tests, most importantly the CD4 level to determine the need for administration of anti-retroviral drugs.

For all others that received non-reactive results for the test, they were encouraged to take the voluntary HIV Confidential Counseling and Testing after three months.

Discreet and Confidential

2011-07-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

Love Yourself Founder Wins Nurse of The Year Award

2011-07-12T18:49:00.000-07:00

The Shorty Awards honor the best people and organizations on Twitter. These unique awards are for the Twitter community, by the Twitter community. Online voting is public and democratic, culminating in an awards ceremony that recognizes the winners in 26 official categories as well as crowd-sourced ones.

On March 28, 2011, the 3rd Annual Shorty Awards proclaimed Love Yourself (VINN Advocacy) Founding CEO/President Ronivin G. Pagtakhan as Nurse of the Year, beating other nominees from around the world, and thus became the first Filipino honoree of the award-giving organization.

Congrats, Vinn!

The People Behind the Group

2011-07-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

Who are the people behind The Love Yourself Project (VINN Advocacy)?

OFFICERS

CEO/President: Ronivin G. Pagtakhan

Ronivin Garcia Pagtakhan is a registered nurse in the Philippines and California. He is a graduate of the University of the Philippines Manila where he took his BS Nursing degree, and PWU for his MA Nursing degree. He has been an educator since he was 19 and he is currently a faculty member of Mapua Institute of Technology, Centro Escolar University, and UP core-group review CENE and other national nursing board review centers around the Philippines. He was among the topnotchers for the nursing board exam in 2004 and a university scholar. He has been active in socio-civic activities since his college days where he was part of the UP USC. He co-authored a book entitled National Board Exam Review Notes by CENE publishing. He was recognized as one of the 2011 MAPUA's most outstanding professors and recently won the 2011 Twitter Oscars Shorty Awards as the Nurse of the Year (@ronnievinn), the first Filipino to win the said international awards. He recently got his HCCT counselor certification.

Secretary and Treasurer: Neil Bryant S. Calizo

Neil Byrant Calizo is a registered nurse in the Philippines. He belonged to the upper 15 percentile of the board exam passers in 2008. He is a graduate of BS Nursing at Centro Escolar University, where he was an active leader, and officer of the Red Cross Committee. He was a consistent honor student during his school days. He is currently working at Ameriprise Financial while doing volunteer nursing and HIV awareness programs.

DIRECTORS

Director for Counseling and Education: Ian Felix Alquiros

Ian is a Registered Physical Therapist. After working for almost a decade as an Operations Manager in a Call Center in Quezon City, Ian has decided to focus on his creative craft as a Professional Photographer. As an accomplished fashion photographer and portraitist, he owns and operates The Room, an innovative photo and events studio in Quezon City. He also has a certificate in Video Production from the UP Film Institute (Film Making) and Project Management and Production Design from the NCCA/CCP.

Director for Communication and Partnerships: Chris Lagman

Chris is an Executive and Life Coach from the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara (California, USA). He relocated back to Manila in March 2011 to pursue his love for education, consulting, and coaching. He is currently a faculty member at the Ateneo de Manila University, and does Training and Organization Development consulting work on the side. Chris holds degrees in BS Physics (UP Diliman) and MS Information Technology (Ateneo de Manila University). Chris also attended Asian Institute of Management’s Executive MBA Corporate Change program. He has recently obtained his HIV Counselor certification from the Woodwater Center for Healing.

CONSULTANTS

Von Arroyo

Anthony Liam

Jun Nenada

Antonio Payomo III

Deogracia M. Valderrama

Kenn Velasco

History

2011-07-12T17:34:00.000-07:00

VINN Advocacy was founded by Twitter Shorty Awards Nurse of the Year Awardee, Ronivin (Vinn) Garcia Pagtakhan. He was joined by very close colleagues and friends who were inspired by the increasing demand and queries by LGBT-MSM through social media such as Twitter on venereal infections. Vinn (Ronivin) thought that he could do more about these concerns, could touch more people than just by social media and could actually do something about it, thus consulted his close friend and colleague James Garcia Bon and James Worrasaran who had the same thing on their mind, and had an experience with such advocacy during their stay in the United States where they (James B.) took his Nurse Practitioner Residency.

Since then, the organization exponentially grew through social networking and was spearheaded by a core group of concerned and socially aware YOUTH & LGBT-MSM professionals and supporters with diverse ideas and preferences yielding to the goal to minimize the morbidity rate and in the near future to completely eradicate venereal infections (STD, HIV and AIDS), help the youth & high risk LGBT-MSM in their battle with confusion, prejudice and respect, and ultimately open a safe haven and resource centre for the LGBT-MSM here in the Philippines.

Mission, Vision, and Goals

2011-07-12T17:04:00.000-07:00

Mission:
VINN Advocacy's mission is to serve as a resource centre for the youth & LGBT-MSM (men having sex with men) promoting wellness through education, prevention, cure and rehabilitation in response to venereal infections (STD and HIV) and sexuality concerns.

Vision:
VINN Advocacy's vision is to develop a safe, gender-sensitive society of HIV/STD-free youth & LGBT-MSM in the Philippines

Long-Term Goal:
VINN Advocacy's goal is to open a self-sustaining resource centre for the the youth & LGBT-MSM.

The acronym V.I.N.N. stands for Venereal Infection Nuisance Nursing, wherein the word NURSING, has an operational definition that does not implicate nor has any relation to the nursing profession, but instead the verb connoting care or nurturing. This organization aims to help the Filipino YOUTH & LGBT giving priority to the high risk MSM (men having sex with men) sector to prevent, detect, treat and control the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

STIs pose a big threat to Filipino youth & LGBT-MSM (men having sex with men) of the nation according to the most recent statistics of reported HIV/STD sexual transmission cases (dated January 2011), YOUTH & LGBT-MSM peaked from last year’s 74% to a whopping 81% sexual transmission rate, giving a cumulative 1984-2010 rate of 54.8% which is very alarming.

True enough, the government has a good program about it, yet it is underutilized, there are no organizations, support group or resource centre here in the Philippines that provides free detection, treatment, contact tracing and education on prevention and management of venereal infections. The organization wants to spearhead this cause.

VINN Advocacy supports the Filipino youth & LGBT-MSM (men having sex with men) through counselling on sexuality issues, diagnosis and management of STD and HIV to optimally eradicate the growing morbidity rate among the YOUTH and LGBT in the Philippines. It wishes to establish a resource centre, a safe house for the LGBT-MSM in the Philippines.