TALISAY CITY, CEBU – Miss Universe-Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados, together with LoveYourself Inc. and the City Government of Talisay, champions the HIV advocacy in Cebu in an outreach program held on Saturday – October 12 at the People’s Hall of the city.
During the event, Ganados was unveiled as the newest ambassador of LoveYourself, adding the cause to her initial “elderly care” advocacy. She also headlines the HIV awareness and prevention forum, together with the free HIV screening for the day. The outreach was also in cooperation with Youth for Better Talisay, and Talisay City LGBT Bangaw Federation.
Vice Mayor Alan G. Bucao lauded the initiative. “I am so happy that LoveYourself has given their trust in us, the City of Talisay and Talisay City LGBT Bangaw, in extending their advocacy on HIV awareness and prevention. I am looking forward to a more fruitful partnership with LoveYourself and Bangaw in this worthy cause.”
Ganados now serves as the newest face of LoveYourself in Cebu for various HIV awareness campaigns and programs. She is a welcome addition to the string of international beauty queens supporting LoveYourself’s advocacy, including Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
The latest data from the Department of Health -Epidemiology Bureau (DOH-EB) shows that the Philippines now poses 35 cases of HIV a day. Central Visayas is ranked 4th highest in the number of HIV cases since the epidemic broke in the 1980s.
“We are seeing infection cases increase, but the bright side to this is that we can bridge them to proper treatment as soon as possible. We always inform our clients that there’s life after the diagnosis. People living with HIV can still enjoy and live their lives to the fullest,” LoveYourself Cebu Head Jan Estrada stressed.
Capping her day, the Cebuana beauty queen visited the LoveYourself White House, a community center located along Don Julio Llorente Street near the Fuente Circle in Cebu City. The center offers a safe co-working space, where one can have a free and confidential HIV screening and treatment, enjoy a cup of coffee, play board games and study, among others. It is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
LoveYourself Inc. is a community-based organization that offers a free and holistic care approach to HIV. Aside from the White House, it has six operating community centers in the Greater Manila Area, namely Anglo in Mandaluyong, Uni and Victoria in Pasay, Welcome in the City of Manila, Lily in Parañaque, and Hero in Bacoor City in Cavite.
Text by LoveYourself Cebu Communications
