Pia, Catriona and various artists' Rise As One' for the HIV and COVID-19 causes

MANDALUYONG CITY (21 April 2020) – Miss  Universe Titleholders Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray headlined the Rise As One: An Online Concert that happened last April 12 at the Champion Community Centers' Facebook page.

The Champion Community Centers, alongside the movers in the HIV advocacy, have banded together to send a message of hope and love to the country, amidst the COVID-19 and extended community quarantine situation.

Wurtzbach, also the UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific, encouraged the people to prioritize their physical health. She advised to continue following measures to avoid COVID-19, and for people living with HIV (PLHIV) to keep a stock of their antiretroviral medicines to secure an undetectable status, since undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U).

Gray, an HIV advocate, empathized with the members of the HIV community for the medical assistance they need despite the ongoing enhanced community quarantine. She also advised reaching out and getting the needed assistance since the government and communities in the advocacy, such as LoveYourself, are here to support, and help is only a call or a message away.

Moreover, Gray also launched at the online concert the pioneering HIV self-screening program in the country of LoveYourself called SelfCare. Gray and Mga Batang Poz star, Paolo Gumabao are the ambassadors of the program. SelfCare is a demonstration study implemented by LoveYourself, in partnership with the University of the Philippines - Manila, the Department of Health - Regional Office 7, with support from various partners and regional agencies.

Fellow beauty queen and LoveYourself ambassador, Gazini Ganados, also graced the event with a reassuring message as the world endures the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. She dedicated her message to those people affected by the virus, especially the front-liners and those with a compromised immune system like the elderly and PLHIV.

The online concert features a heartfelt rendition of Lean On Me by Bill Withers from Katrina Velarde and her vocalist friends: Angeline Quinto, Daryl Ong, Michael Pangilinan, Eumee Capile, Kim Molina, Lucas Garcia, Rhap Salazar, Yuki Ito, Monique Lualhati, Chloe Redondo, Jeniffer Catayong, Alvin Chea, Andre De Santanna, Dea Formilleza, Mike Shapiro, and Dessa Salazar.

A premier wedding band, 3rd Avenue, offered two songs, Heal the World by Micheal Jackson and Imagine by John Lennon. Filipino Drag Queens: Lady Gagita, Dee Dee Marie Holliday, JCourse, Viñas, Turing, Aries Night, Victoria Salt, and many more, showcased stunning lip synchronization performances of various artists.

Members of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), Jimi Marquez, and Anna Fegi also sang Lean On Me, but at the same time, supplemented by the messages of love and hope of volunteers around the country for the HIV community and COVID-19 affected families.

In a video message, UNAIDS Philippines Country Director Dr. Louie Ocampo said, "Protecting the rights and the health of all people will, in fact, help control the virus. UNAIDS is urging people to act with compassion, not stigma, and discrimination." Ocampo also encouraged governments to provide a comprehensive health response in resolving the HIV and COVID-19 pandemics.

In respect to HIV prevention, 2018 Ten Outstanding Young People of the World awardee and LoveYourself Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Ronivin Pagtakhan, inspired that great strides were made in suppressing the spread of the virus, and save more people from it. "[HIV] It's not a death sentence anymore. You can live your full life even with HIV by taking your medications regularly."

He also informed of the available HIV combination prevention methods, such as condoms and lubricants, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) or a pill an HIV negative person takes before being potentially exposed to HIV, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) or a pill an HIV negative person can take right after a potential exposure to HIV, and adherence to treatment of PLHIV that can result in undetectable viral load status or a condition where the HIV can no longer be transmitted to another person.

LoveYourself also launched at the Rise As One concert its telehealth program called, iCON or interactive consultation. This program enables clients to consult with a healthcare professional for their medical needs amidst the imposition of the ECQ. To schedule an appointment, clients can register at go.loveyourself.ph/iCON.

Also, the organization reiterated its LoveYourself Xpress Refill program that enables PLHIV clients and non-clients to restock on their life-saving medicines. To register, visit go.loveyourself.ph/XpressRefill. Clients may also call the Xpress refill hotlines at:

• Anglo (Mandaluyong): 0920 502 1007 | 0999 529 2330 | 0956 615 1230 | 0915 310 7336

• Victoria (Pasay): 09995292399 | 09153107339 | 0915 831 8715

• Lily (Parañaque): 0917 155 5955 | 0928 689 6422

• Welcome (Manila): 0967 207 1976

• Hero (Bacoor, Cavite): 0956 490 3747 | 0906 483 9040

• White House (Cebu City): 0961 573 6493

Rise as One: An Online is a collaboration of Sustainability of HIV Services for Key Populations in Asia (SKPA), LoveYourself, Inc., Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations (AFAO), Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI), Global Fund – Accelerating Community Engagement and Response on HIV/AIDS Prevention (ACER) Project, Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc., PhilHealth, UNAIDS-Philippines, and Champion Community Centers.

Champion Community Centers include Lakan Community Center and YCAP Community Center in Pampanga; AVES Community Based Organization and HERO by LoveYourself in Cavite; Amos Tara Community Center in Puerto Princesa City; Bagani Community Center in Bacolod City; Rajah Community Center and KnowTell Center in Iloilo City; Atma Prema Community Center, LoveYourself White House and Vibe Community Center in Cebu City, Mujer Community Center in Zamboanga City; Oro Pia Community Center in Cagayan De Oro; Olympus Community Center Society in Davao City; and HASH-HIV & AIDS Support House, Inc., Lily by LoveYourself in Metro Manila.

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Lit Love: Community Quarantine

TULA PARA KAY D

Rolin Migyuel Cadallo Obina

Nasa kalye ka na at nag-aabang ng masasakyan 

Habang lumalangoy pa sa kama ang karamihan

Kahit walang kasiguruhang gagaling ang mga may karamdaman

Ikaw ay naglilingkod ng walang pag-aalinlangan

Marami nang nakaratay sa iyong pagamutang pinagtatrabahuan

Ang iba ay nakikipagbunuan na kay kamatayan

Ngunit hindi mo ito kinatatakutan

Bagkos maari ka nitong mahawaan

Kubeta, lababo at lahat ng mga pasilyo ay iyong pinapaliguan

Upang mapanghawang sakit ay hindi na makadapo kaninuman

Pagod ay hindi alintana kahit sweldo ay may kababaan

Ang mahalaga sa iyo ay mapaglingkuran ang iyong mga kababayan

Diyanitor ang opisyal mong katungkulan

Tagalinis ng mga mesang pinagkainan

Ngunit sa panahong lahat ay maselan

Buhay mo ay sa iba inilalan

Paniguradong nangungulila ka na rin sa iyong pamilyang iniwan

Sa tatay mong sumpungin o sa nanay mong kailangang alagaan

O hindi kaya ay sa asawa mong mag-isang kumakain sa hapag-kainan

O sa iyong anak na nagtatanong kung kalian ka muling mahahagkan

Sa bawat segundong ikaw ay makita sa telebisyon o pahayagan

Inggit ang namumutawi sa aking kaibuturan

Sapagkat hindi ko nagagawa ang ipinamalas mong kabaitan

Dahil sa loob ng pagkatao ko ay takot ang nananahan

Ang tangi kong maipapangako sa iyo kaibigan

Ay ipanalangin sa Diyos ang iyong kalusugan

Sampu ng mga taong taos-pusong naglilingkod sa bayan

Kayo ay mga bayani na dapat pasalamantan

Kahit sa mga piling salita man lang ikaw ay maalayan

At ipangalandakan ang iyong kabayanihan

Upang sa mga susunod na salinlahi ikaw ay tularan

Tagalinis man kung ituring buhay mo naman ay sa iba nakalaan

Until Then

Ryel Hagoriles 

Just like the harshest ocean waves,

A calmer pace shall come. 

The moon may have many phases,

But it's light shines of Hope.

A beacon of strength for those afraid,

Will aid this battle with pleading might.

Until then, be brave and wipe those tears,

Until then, stretch a smile behind those shields.

The waves might be terrifying to see,

Like the mouth of sharks ready to engulf.

But then, I know the moon will pull,

A victorious tomorrow await.

Pandemya sa Maynila

AJ

Isa dalawa tatlo may taong umubo

Tatlo apat lima maraming apektado

Anim pito walo ang mga namatay dito

Siyam at sampu, nasaan na ang gobyerno?

Huwag makulit at huwag lumabas, ang sabi ng nasa itaas.

Paano na ang anak ni nene na wala ng gatas

Panakot nila'y pag ikay lumabas ay dahas

Kaya iiyak na lang sa gutom hanggang mawalan ng lakas

Isang malakas na palakpak sa ignoranteng tao

Sapagkat silay nabubulag ng kanilang pribilehiyo

Sa dami ng pera, di na nakita ang tunay na senaryo

At ang mga tao sa baba ay sinasapit ay kalbaryo

Kaya aking mga katoto gising na

Imulat ang mga mata para inyong makita

Ang sinasapit ng bayan sa pandemya

Tayo'y magkapit bisig at itayo muli ang bandera.

Image References

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LoveYourself Partner for HIV advocacy, MACARE, brings cost efficient COVID-19 test kits in the Philippines

LoveYourself Communications Team

UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific,  and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, together with LoveYourself Founder and Executive Director Ronivin 'Vinn' Pagtakhan, toured around the laboratory in Anglo community center last February. The laboratory is partly sponsored by MACARE Medicals. Photo by Kobi Janairo

A collaborative partnership matters in times of crisis.

Amidst the threat of the novel coronavirus, LoveYourself, Inc. continues to provide essential services for its clients, particularly to people living with HIV (PLHIV). As a community-based, non-profit organization, it wouldn't be able to function at its full capacity in this time of crisis without its partners, like MACARE Medicals.

As its partner for many of its projects for the community, LoveYourself is pleased to announce that Macare thru its partner Cepheid developed a cost-efficient test kit for COVID-2019 dubbed as Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2. The test kits, which are compatible with the automated real-time PCR GeneXpert machine, have arrived in Manila on Friday. The Xpert Xpress test kit only costs PhP1,200.00, and one test is equal to one reportable patient result.

Pia and Vinn were checking on the GeneXpert machine, which is being used for hematology and serology diagnostic tests. Photo by Kobi Janairo 

For its HIV advocacy work, a significant part of LoveYourself's laboratory equipment is provided for free by MACARE. This support enables the organization to offer free viral load and other necessary testing requirements of PLHIV clients and clients' concerns for other sexually transmitted infections (STI). 

This partnership has upgraded the capacity of the organization to conduct basic laboratory tests, hematology, and serology. Around 20 clients a day per machine from LoveYourself Anglo in Mandaluyong, Victoria by LoveYourself in Pasay, and LoveYourself White House in Cebu benefit from the GeneXpert machines of MACARE.

Reigning Miss Universe-Philippines and LoveYourself ambassador, Gazini Ganados showing off the GeneXpert machines in LoveYourself White House, following her advocacy activity in Tasilay City in 2019. Photo by Ria Briñes

The partnership with MACARE also led to the establishment of LoveYourself White House in Cebu by offering its building for free. It also paved the way for establishing the organization's internal pharmacy, among other help.

During the Rise As One online concert, LoveYourself also commenced its demonstration project for its SelfCare program or its HIV self-screening service with no less than Miss Universe 2018 and LoveYourself Ambassador Catriona Gray, and Mga Batang Poz lead actor, Paolo Gumabao.

The SelfCare demonstration project, supported by Chembio Diagnostics, will run for six months, only covering Metro Manila clients. To avail of the self-screening kits, one must order it through the SelfCare Facebook page. The full implementation of the self-screening program will start after the project. 

Meanwhile, LoveYourself recently launched its telehealth program called, iCON or interactive consultation for its clients to consult with a healthcare professional for their medical needs. To schedule an appointment, clients should register at iCON sign up page.

Lastly, LoveYourself Xpress Refill remains operational for PLHIV, who needs to restock on their life-saving medicines. To register, visit Xpress Refill sign up sheet. Clients may also call the Xpress refill hotlines at:

• Anglo (Mandaluyong): 0920 502 1007 | 0999 529 2330 | 0956 615 1230 | 0915 310 7336

• Victoria (Pasay): 09995292399 | 09153107339 | 0915 831 8715

• Lily (Parañaque): 0917 155 5955 | 0928 689 6422

• Welcome (Manila): 0967 207 1976

• Hero (Bacoor, Cavite): 0956 490 3747 | 0906 483 9040

• White House (Cebu City): 0961 573 6493

The Xpress hotlines are also open to assisting non-LoveYourself clients of their antiretroviral (ARV) medicine refill.

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We can RISE AS ONE on April 12

By Ben Quiaot

Amid the extended community quarantine, the Champion Community Centers have banded together to send a message of hope and love to the entire Philippines. After a week of reflection and mindfulness, it's the perfect time to lift our spirits up and Rise as One on April 12, 2020 5PM, live on Facebook.

The online concert features stunning performances by Flilipino Drag Artists such as Turing Quinto, Lady Gagita, Deedee Marie Holliday, J Course, Christian Vinas, Aries Knight, Victoria Salt and many more! Vocals from Katrina Velarde, 3rd Avenue, Anna Fegi, and Jimi Marquez are also set to inspire us to continue being a positive influence to the people around us. While Boys Can Trance of O Bar Philippines are ready to keep spirits up with their music.

Lastly, special guests will be sharing their messages of hope, love, and encouragement including Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados, and Mga Batang Poz star Paolo Gumabao. Truly, it's time for a change of pace. The fire in our hearts may have struggled to shine ever since the community quarantine started, but hopefully we can find the strength to keep the fire burning and strive to be a light for others.

Physical distancing won't keep us down, we can altogether, Rise as One. Together we can gain a better understanding of what we can amid the community quarantine. As we learn more about ourselves, we can take a more holistic approach to empowered protection.

Don't miss out on this FREE online concert by following Champion Community Centers on Facebook to catch the livestream at 5PM April 12, 2020 (Sunday). This event was made possible with partnerships from Sustatainability of HIV Services for Key Populations in Asia, Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Philippine Educational Theater Association, PhilHealth, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Accelerating Community Engagement and Response on HIV/AIDS Prevention, CHEMBIO Diagnostic Systems Inc., and the Join United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS. With Diego Rozul

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Executive Director's Message

Statement for the Day 15 of the Community Quarantine Due to COVID-19

(March 30, 2020)

On our 15th day since the effectivity of the community quarantine due to COVID-19, LoveYourself continues to extend its utmost care for its clients, volunteers, and health workers. As a community-based non-profit organization, we continue to draw strength and inspiration from our beloved community.

In times of crisis like COVID19, our community's expressions of love come in different forms. Your understanding and support enable us to operate smoothly amidst the occurrence of technical challenges.

Despite our limited capacity, we endeavor for continuous delivery of our sexual health and trans health services, particularly the access of anti-retroviral medicines of our clients on treatment through our Xpress Refill program. With the direction from the Department of Health, we were also able to serve non-clients access their life-saving medications given the situation.

We wouldn't have made this work if not for the support of the government, our partners, the volunteers, and the staff. We hope for a stronger collaboration as the challenge continues to persist in the coming days. Let's help everyone to keep their morale high enough to make it through.

Until this global health crisis is over, please remember that the Safety of one is Safety of all. Everyone's cooperation means an act of love that entails compassion and selflessness toward all of us. 

Again, we thank you for all the help and solidarity. LoveYourself is always grateful to serve you.

Keep safe, everyone.

Ronivin G. Pagtakhan

Founder and Executive Director

LoveYourself, Inc.

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Babae Ako: Empowering Femininity

By Carlos Diego A. Rozul

Women’s month is not only a celebration, but it’s also a time to augment the empowerment of all women. Intersectional feminism reminds us to be cognizant of the different factors that affect gender equality. These factors include ethnicity, age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and physical/mental ability among others. As we recognize the essential part of women in building today’s society, let us take a look at how femininity has been a part of select women’s lives.

Transgender Health Officers of LoveYourself Inc., Jesse Castelo, Eda Catabas, and Yanyan Arana (L-R)

Eda Catabas and Jesse Castelo are some of the newest Trans Health Officers of LoveYourself Inc. As trans women themselves, they feel right at home in their new role. Together with their teammates, they are partnering up with Decent Image of South Signal Association (DIOSSA) for an event to celebrate Women’s Month.

Femininity is very important for me because I grew up with the thought in mind that I wanted to transition. I wanted feminine features…. It is part of my humanity. Explained Eda

For Eda, femininity is a societal expectation that people conform to in order to be acknowledged as a woman. She holds femininity dear to her heart as it has been a part  of her thought process ever since she was little. But it was a challenging journey for her growing up. She was named after her father, who is a former police officer. With strong Filipino tradition and belief, Eda's family expected her to follow in her father's footsteps. 

Growing up, she felt a lot of pressure to conform to the masculine expectations of her environment being born male. This pressure has been aggravated by the bullying she experienced from her schoolmates, peers and neighbors. But somewhere down the road, she made the conscious decision to fight for her true identity.

At 13 Eda started expressing her femininity through her eyebrows, but she did not fully realize her true expression until she met her mentors. They guided her through hormone replacement therapy, make up, and flattering clothing. Through her mentors, Eda met other trans women who have different backgrounds, but have similar experiences as her growing up. It was a joy to find support and understanding from other trans women despite their differences.

To be female is to be human. She is strong, she is powerful, and more than anything she is capable. Shared Jesse

Jesse shared that during her early phases in transition, her concept of femininity was unclear and loose. She thought that in order to be feminine, she has to look and behave in a certain way lest she will be disrespected. She was afraid that she would not be taken seriously.

But as time went on Jesse discovered that femininity is not a defining factor of women. She felt restricted to become her authentic self, giving control of herself to men. For her, she truly became a woman when she was able to let go of the weight of gender expectations.

I remember in the early stages of my transition when you’re trying to conform to a certain standard physically first I felt awkward, others got humiliated, and some even experienced gender-based violence. Said Eda

The expectations of femininity drove Eda to conform to societal standards of beauty. She admitted that she experienced depressing moments during her journey, but with the support of her newfound community, she was able to go on with her transition. With gender affirming operations - not all of which were readily available in the Philippines - Eda grew closer to having the body she feels correct with how she sees herself. 

Traditional femininity affected Jesse’s early relationships, where she let men control the way she dressed and acted in public. She relished in the feeling of validation whenever she would submit herself to a man she was committed to. However, as she grew more independent, she realized that the feeling of freedom was more powerful than feeling validated.

Eda firmly expresses her femininity to affirm her chosen identity, and she emphasized that the way women present themselves is their own rightful decision. Jesse on the other hand utilizes her feminine energy by using her voice, not only for herself but others as well. Women can express whatever identity they subscribe to. As it shouldn’t be the society that dictates who we are. It is us who tell the society who we are. The power of femininity is to create affirming choices for ourselves.

Victoria by LoveYourself is an affirming place for trans women to express themselves as they are. As the first community-led transgender health center in the country, the center aims to provide a safe space where people who identify as trans can transition safely.

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HIV Advocacy Group Asks Government Support for Continued Access to Life-Saving Medication Amidst COVID-19 Situation

By LoveYourself Communications


MANDALUYONG CITY (March 20, 2020) – The LoveYourself, Inc., a community-based non-profit primary health care facility for people living with HIV (PLHIV), appeals for the support of the government for the continued and uninterrupted access of PLHIV to anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs.

Primarily, LoveYourself asks for the help of concerned national agencies, the local government units, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure smooth delivery of health services to the PLHIV community.

The organization understands the government's precautions, and fully abide with the directives of the Department of Health (DOH) to help contain the spread of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the continued delivery of its services is crucial in addressing another kind of pandemic, which is HIV.

LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivin Pagtakhan explained that "People living with HIV have become more vulnerable to contracting any diseases due to limited access to their life-saving medication, following the imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine and declaration of the entire Philippines under a state of calamity amidst the COVID-19 situation."

"On behalf of all our clients and even other HIV treatment facilities, we humbly request the government authorities to help us deliver our services not only to our clients but also to anyone who needs to take their ARVs. These life-saving medicines support their health requirements because missing out on taking ARVs poses a danger to their health and in achieving an undetectable status," said Pagtakhan, who is also a Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World for Humanitarian Leadership awardee in 2018.

In responding to this public health crisis, LoveYourself already shifted its HIV treatment services from onsite to online processing called Xpress Refill program with the delivery of life-saving medication or ARV drugs through couriers that are currently operational.

Clients enrolled in LoveYourself treatment services and even PLHIV who have not enrolled in its treatment services but near to any of its centers are catered through the Xpress refill program: go.loveyourself.ph/XpressRefill. Clients can also call any of these hotlines:

·         Anglo (Mandaluyong): 0920 502 1007 | 0999 529 2330 | 0956 615 1230 | 0915 310 7336

·         Victoria (Pasay): 09995292399 | 09153107339 | 0915 831 8715

·         Lily (Parañaque): 0917 155 5955 | 0928 689 6422

·         Welcome (Manila): 0967 207 1976

·         Hero (Bacoor, Cavite): 0956 490 3747 | 0906 483 9040

·         White House (Cebu City): 0961 573 6493

LoveYourself can also be reached through e-mail at info@loveyourself.ph. Other hubs across the country can be accessed through this: go.loveyourself.ph/txhubs.

Based on the latest report of the DOH, there were 3,029 newly confirmed HIV cases in the Philippines from October to December 2019. The new cases brought the total cases of HIV in the country to 74,807 since January 1984.

LoveYourself is serving more than 5,000 PLHIV for their life-saving medications.

Together with its partner community-based organization, LoveYourself hopes for all clients to be served for their life-saving medications unimpeded while ensuring the maximum health and safety measures in availing of these services.

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Maintain U=U With Xpress by LoveYourself

By LoveYourself Communications

In response to the impending community quarantine in Metro Manila on March 15, 2020, LoveYourself has innovated its antiretroviral therapy (ART) refill delivery system. Through the XPress by LoveYourself, clients enrolled in its treatment services can have their ART refills delivered to their doorstep. This ensures reduced risk for LoveYourself clients living with HIV to be exposed to COVD-19 by reducing the number of clients visiting LoveYourself Centers and eliminating the need to travel.

Sign up for the service at go.loveyourself.ph/xpressrefill. Please be mindful of the following eligibility requirements:

• 6 months experience of ART (no dropping out of care in between).
• Must have a recent viral load monitoring result within 1 year of less than 1000 copies/mL (Undetectable Viral Load)
• Good eligibility status in PhilHealth due to updated contributions.
• Experience no severe adverse effects of ART
• Have at least 12 days worth of remaining ART pills.

NOTICE: LOVEYOURSELF CENTERS WILL BE SHIFTING ITS ONSITE ART REFILLS TO XPRESS STARTING MARCH 15, 2020.

XPress by LoveYourself includes a 4-step process:

1. Sign Up Confirmation (within 24-48 hours)
2. Payment
3. Accomplishment of PhilHealth Forms
4. ART Delivery

Continuous adherence to ART is important in maintaining an undetectable status that prevents transmission of HIV through unprotected sexual contact. With XPress by LoveYourself, the organization aims for all of its clients to have access to treatment amidst the community quarantine.

LoveYourself in its commitment as a model community of MSM and friends that affirms self-worth through HIV counseling, testing, treatment, and prevention is responsive to the needs of the community. XPress by LoveYourself is a paid service to cover the delivery fee only.

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Lit Love: Women's Month

Self Love

By Aphrodite

At times I wish to be, Someone else, My reflection looking Right back at me. At times I wish to be free Somebody new My actions overlooking Who I was meant to be But this time, today I want to be truly me, My own steps accepting, A woman of my own finally

Babae, Ako

By Bet Domingo

Babae ako. Oo, babae. Alam ko na, Kahit bata pa lang. Kahit ako si utoy, At hindi si nene. Kahit barber’s cut, At hindi long hair. Kahit naka-shorts, At hindi naka-palda. Kahit laging blue, At hindi pink. Babae ako. Oo, babae po ako. Lalo na ngayon, Dahil nasa edad na ako. Kahit ako’y may junjun At walang flower. Kahit ‘di ka maniwala, At di mo tanggapin. Kahit pa kinukutsya, At di mo ipagtanggol. Babae po ako. At tao rin po ako.

Questions My Woman

By Bet Domingo

Question my existence. Hurts my woman of life. Carried me for nine months, Labored me for days, And took care of me for years. Question my whole being. Pains my woman protector. Hugged me for my tears. Warmed me when I’m cold, And fought many for my rights. Question my vibrant reality. Cries my woman of love. Cared for me no matter what, Embraced me for all my flaws, And accepted me for who I am.

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