CEBU CITY (November 2022). Every December 1st, the global community celebrates World AIDS Day (WAD) to raise awareness, elevate discussions and call for a unified movement to end HIV.
This coming December 3, LoveYourself in Cebu, Department of Health – Region 7 (DOH-7), & Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. will hold the biggest color run dedicated to kicking off the WAD 2022 celebrations. Dubbed “the Rainbow Run Festival,” this advocacy color run will take place on the grounds of Cebu Business Park starting 4:30 AM that day.
Run with us as the proceeds of this color run will go to Cebu’s HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention programs. Interested individuals or groups can register here.
In a press conference conducted last November 4 in Quest Hotel, LoveYourself, together with its partners, highlighted the upcoming Rainbow Run Festival and other WAD-related activities.
Mitch Paca, one of LoveYourself Cebu’s program leads, announced that the Rainbow Run will be participated by various HIV advocates, like Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Cebu-based ambassadors like trans beauty queen Bee Urgello, social media star Alem Garcia, and Mister Gay World 2021 Joel Rey Carcasona and many other advocates.
LoveYourself Director for Programs and Innovations, Danvic Rosadiño, emphasized the importance of holding events and engaging media to spread awareness about HIV-related services and how to access them.
Program Manager of DOH-7’s Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Dr. Van Philip Baton, discussed that the run would be an excellent venture to raise awareness among Cebuano youth about sexual health and the services provided by LoveYourself Cebu. Baton also reminded everyone that while the country is still dealing with COVID-19, Filipinos should still be aware that HIV still persists too, and collective response is necesssary.
On the same date, a community concert will be held at Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu, at 6:00 PM. Local musicians, Cebuano singers, and performers, as well as models, have confirmed to participate in the event. The concert will be free and open to all advocates, Cebuanos, and anyone who wants to join the celebration.
While it is known for its cutting-edge and innovative HIV-related services, LoveYourself is a community-based private organization that aims to uplift the self-worth of Filipino communities, especially the member of the LGBTQIA+.
LoveYourself offers free HIV counseling and screening, HIV treatment and support, transgender health, and mental health. The organization, empowered by volunteers, has been up to its mission to champion iniingatan, inaalagaan, at inaasikaso experience since 2011.
Written by Rizaldy Baguio & iCOMM Editorial
