Global ambassadors unite online to flatten the HIV curve

Wazzup Pilipinas!


Catriona Gray, Pia Wurtzbach, and international experts unite online to advance the flattening of the HIV curve this World AIDS Day (WAD) 2020 commemoration-celebration.

These global ambassadors will promote the innovations in HIV prevention and developments in the advocacy at the online conference entitled "#SaferNowPH Summit 2020: Flattening the HIV Curve" on December 2-4 from 1:00 PM -3:00 PM.

On Day 1 (December 2), the Summit is themed: "Dare to Change the International Perspective on HIV." International experts will present comprehensive and innovative strategies for addressing HIV.

• Dr. Nittaya Phanupak of Thailand's Institute of HIV Research and Innovations will discuss the status neutral approach, a more inclusive and holistic tactic in battling HIV.
• Dr. Frits van Griensven of the University of California's Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics will talk about chem sex and its relation to HIV.
• Dr. Heather-Marie Schmidt, the Regional Advisor of UNAIDS Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific & the World Health Organization (WHO), will delve into pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a prevention method against HIV.

On Day 2 (December 3), the Summit is themed: "Care for the Local Community" to discuss the evolving continuum of HIV care in the country.

• Dr. Rossana Ditangco of Research Institute for Tropical Medicine's AIDS Research Group will introduce the new HIV treatment medicine called Dolutegravir.
• Dr. Van Philip Baton of the Department of Health – Region VII will discuss how COVID-19 and HIV intertwine with each other and develop a scheme to win over the twin pandemic.
• Catriona Gray, a global HIV advocate and LoveYourself ambassador will share how the HIV advocacy has impacted her life to become the ally that she has become.

On Day 3 (December 4), the Summit is themed: "Social Responsibility and Support for the HIV Advocacy" to improve psychosocial support for the HIV community in the country.

• RS Francisco, Frontrow Founder, will talk about social responsibility and support for the HIV advocacy.
• Bro. Noel Cabigting of Flourish Circle will impart how to be more compassionate with people living with HIV
• Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, a global HIV advocate and LoveYourself ambassador, will highlight the interlink between HIV and mental health.

The Summit will be hosted by the first-ever Miss Trans Global, Mela Franco Habijan.

Register for free on this link: bit.ly/SaferNowPHSummit to attend. The Summit is a part of the community's overall effort for the WAD 2020 as the global community marches towards ending AIDS by 2030.

The #SaferNowPH Summit 2020 is spearheaded by LoveYourself, Inc., co-presented by the World Health Organization Philippines, AHF Philippines, Faberco Life Sciences Inc., Club United PH, DOOH Philippines, and SKPA Philippines; supported by Premiere Condoms, EZ Lubricating Jelly, Bliss Four, Rotary Club of Valencia, QC, Rotary Club International District 3780, Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines; in partnership with Champion Community Centers, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Incorporated, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Macare Medicals Inc., Frontrow cares; Lauvette; and powered by Spaces MNL and Owl Right Studios.

Tugade thanks ASEAN partners for solidarity, support for PH govt’s big-ticket infrastructure projects

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Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade has recognized the invaluable contribution, strong support, and solidarity of ASEAN Dialogue Partners, China, Japan, and South Korea in boosting the government’s efforts to usher the Philippines into the ‘Golden Age of Infrastructure’.

The transportation chief expressed, with full enthusiasm, his gratitude towards his fellow ASEAN Ministers during the second day of the ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting (ATM) and Associated Dialogue Partner Meetings yesterday, 25 November 2020.

The high-level activity is an annual gathering of ASEAN Transport Ministers and Associated Dialogue Partners, which aims to discuss progress and developments of various transport-related programs, projects and, initiatives to further strengthen partnership and growth in the region.

In his statement, Secretary Tugade highlighted the contribution of the governments of China, Japan, and South Korea in helping the country establish various flagship infrastructure projects under the Duterte administration’s BUILD, BUILD, BUILD Program.

During the second day session, which underscored the cooperation initiatives with Japan and Republic of Korea, Secretary Tugade made special mention on several big-ticket projects that are being carried out through the assistance and support of the South Korean government, particularly in the sectors of Aviation and Airports, Railways, and Maritime.

“The Republic of the Philippines would like to express its appreciation and gratitude to all our Dialogue Partners in today’s ASEAN Summit. I express our gratitude to China, to Japan, and now, more especially, Korea. These Dialogue Partners have helped the Philippines achieve what it wants to achieve, and that is, the Golden Age of Infrastructure,” Secretary Tugade said.

The meeting was co-chaired by Minister of Transport and Infocommunications of Brunei Darussalam H.E. Dato Seri Setia Abdul Mutalib Yusof from the ASEAN delegation, while State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan H.E. Mr. Iwai Shigeki and Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Republic of Korea H.E. Mr. Myoung Soo Son served as the co-chairs for the Japan and ROK partner dialogue meetings, respectively.

WWF-PH Earth Exhibit concludes with a fundraising auction featuring works by Olivia D’aboville, Agnes Arellano, Jao Mapa, and more local artists

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The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines’ Earth Exhibit initiative is set to wrap up this December with a fundraising auction featuring curated items from partner local artists, celebrities, and WWF-PH ambassadors, in partnership with Gavel & Block by Salcedo Auctions and Bid for the Future.

The auction, which aims to raise funds to provide food assistance and livelihood equipment for 209 partner Dumagats and their families in Ipo Watershed, will feature over 100 art pieces and pre-loved items by celebrities, including pop diva Kuh Ledesma and WWF-PH Ambassadors Pia Wurtzbach, Rovilson Fernandez, and Enzo Pineda.

“Definitely, artists have a voice. They have fans that will listen to them. When they speak, people are attentive especially when it is a positive message. We could be more purposeful with the messages that we put out there whether on social media or even with the things that we wear like t-shirts with positive messages. There are also many artists who show their homes to share ideas. The way artists speak also influence their followers. People listen when they speak loudly about causes like the conservation of our environment and most specially for the far-flung places. When artists are doing their part to use their voices and their names to send out powerful messages to restore, to protect, and to conserve our environment, then we have done a good service to our country and our fellowmen, ang ating mga kababayans,” said Ledesma, who is an active supporter of WWF-PH’s fundraising efforts. 

WWF-PH Ambassador Pia Wurtzbach, who has also mounted her own fundraising drives for the organization’s partner communities and environmental frontliners, encouraged art aficionados to participate in the auction and find meaningful gifts for the holiday season.

“I donated some items and I wish you guys bid for them because they are really important to me, but I’m willing to share these items for WWF!” said Wurtzbach.

Salcedo Auctions Managing Director, Mr. Victor M. Silvino, shared their team’s excitement to work with WWF-PH and its partners for the initiative.

"We're excited to partner with WWF through our subsidiary, Gavel & Block, as the official auction platform for their fundraiser. There's always been a close link between art and nature. Artists either take inspiration from nature or take their paint pigments from it! But more than that, it's the power of art to communicate ideas and experiences that this partnership highlights. With WWF, we're helping artists and collectors find new ways to share and discuss important issues about nature and community," Silvino said.

Australia-based Filipino artist Emmanuel Santos, who has committed cotton rag archival prints for the auction, encouraged fellow artists to use their platform in creating awareness for environmental conservation.

“If art is the manifestation of beauty and grace from master creators of the universe, then we must unleash it and embrace it, after all every single creation that we live within our planet is a unique masterpiece of our heavenly creator. We experience the beauty, the harmony which gives birth to inspiration for music, poetry, writings, sculptures and paintings. Each dawn is a new color and each dusk is a reflection of the theatrical day that’s been. And this is repeated over and over without end. So let’s not let it fade, let’s nourish and nurture our nature and be the warrior of light for planet Earth. Life is short, art is eternal,” Salvosa shared.

The auction will kick-off on December 5 and feature pieces by Olivia D’aboville, Agnes Arellano, Jinggoy Buensuceso, Rom Villaseran, Jao Mapa, Carmen Westendorp Brias, and more local artists. To browse the auction catalogue and bid, simply log on to Salcedo Auctions’ official website at https://salcedoauctions.com/ and register an account for bidding.

WWF-Philippines is set to launch more fundraising initiatives to #ChangeTheEnding for the environment and to help our environmental frontliners and partner communities. For more information, log on to https://wwf.org.ph or follow WWF-PH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.