Get tested on nationwide HIV testing day

This is a press release from LoveYourself, Inc.

MANILA, Philippines – LoveYourself, Incorporated and its 7 partner organizations have come together to provide the first-ever multi-site, community-led free and confidential HIV test on Saturday, May 26.

The free testing will be conducted from 11 am to 7 pm on May 29 in 10 sites in Metro Manila, Luzon and Mindanao.

Dubbed as “This Is Me: Brave and Free,” LoveYourself invites individuals of various shapes and sizes to avail of the free and confidential HIV test by signing up at This Is Me, and to live their lives free from fear – fear of rejection, getting tested, and stigma.

In Metro Manila, LoveYourself will hold testing in these locations:

• LoveYourself Anglo clinic along Shaw Boulelvard, in Mandaluyong City
• LoveYourself Uni near Gil Puyat LRT
• Victoria by LoveYourself at 2/F Torres Bldg, 2442 Park Avenue, both in Pasay City
• Decent Image of South Signal Association (DIOSSA) at the 10^thfloor of SM Aura in Taguig City
• HIV & AIDS Support House (HASH) at the National Council of Churches in the Philippines building along EDSA in Quezon City

In the greater Luzon area, testing will be held at these locations:

• The Cavite Positive Action Group (CPAG)-JCH Advocacy, Incorporated will provide free and confidential testing at 804 Gonzales St, Barangay 11 Sta. Cruz in Cavite City
• The Juan Posi+ive Movement at 104-B Roxas Street, Barangay Lakandula in Mabalacat City, Pampanga
• The GAYON at #32 Galang Compound, Sampaguita Street, Old Albay Legazpi City, Albay
• The Project H4 (Health, Help, Hope, Happiness) at Amos Tara Community Center, #41 Abad Santos St, Barangay Masipag, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

In Mindanao, testing will be conducted at these locations:

• Kagay-an PLUS (Preserving Life, Uniting Society) will set up at Pearlmont Hotel, Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City
• The Olympus Society of Davao at #36 Loyola St, Barrio Obrero, Poblacion District, Davao City

Department of Health (DOH) records showed that 912 persons tested positive for HIV in March 2018 alone. Of this number, about 94% are males.

The DOH records also showed that 99% of the newly-diagnosed individuals got the virus through sexual contact. Of these cases, 86% were among men who have sex with men (MSMs), while 1% got infected through needle-sharing among drug users.

“With the increasing number of people acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), LoveYourself endeavors to gather fellow warriors in the advocacy for a stronger and resounding voice to promote self-empowerment in taking care of one’s sexual health, as a prelude to curbing the HIV epidemic in the country,” said LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivin G. Pagtakhan.

Apart from its primary goal of instilling awareness and action towards ending HIV, “This Is Me: Brave and Free” boosts one’s self-worth and inspires unity in diversity, and brings the message of love, acceptance and finding strength and courage to overcome fear, which are often associated with HIV and AIDS.

The  program is also supported by the DOH through the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and its NCR-Office, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Incorporated, Save the Children, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Philippines, Philippine NGO Council on Population Health and Welfare, Inc. (PNGOC), AusAID Australian Aid Program, and HIVOS Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation.

For more details on event, visit this web page.

LoveYourself is a non-governmental organization and widely volunteer-led organization that advocates for HIV awareness, testing, and treatment. It also provided the impetus for the first-ever Love Gala, a charity and awards event for HIV-AIDS awareness in Asia by gathering private and public institutions and youth-oriented organizations into the advocacy, and the creator of pioneer Ripple Awards that honors individuals who have had a significant impact in the HIV-AIDS landscape in Asia and the Philippines.

Will you go out and get tested on May 26? – Rappler.com