Eight Advocacy Groups Come Together for a Nationwide HIV Testing Day on 26 May

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LoveYourself, Inc. and its seven partner organizations come together to provide the first-ever multi-site community-led free and confidential HIV test on 26 May 2018 (Saturday) from 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. entailing ten sites in Metro Manila, Luzon and even as far as 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 www.bitly.com/ThisIsMe2018, and to live their lives free from fear – fear of rejection, getting tested and stigma.

In Metro Manila, LoveYourself will hold testing in LoveYourself Anglo clinic along Shaw Blvd., in Mandaluyong City, and LoveYourself Uni near Gil Puyat LRT and Victoria by LoveYourself at 2/F Torres Bldg., 2442 Park Avenue, both in Pasay City; the Decent Image of South Signal Association (DIOSSA) at the 10th floor of SM Aura in Taguig City; and the HIV & AIDS Support House (HASH) at the National Council of Churches in the Philippines building along EDSA in Quezon City.

For Luzon sites, the Cavite Positive Action Group (CPAG)-JCH Advocacy, Inc. 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, Brgy. Lakandula in Mabalacat City, Pampanga; the GAYON at #32 Galang Compound, Sampaguita Street, Old Albay Legazpi City, Albay; and the Project H4 (Health, Help, Hope, Happiness) at Amos Tara Community Center, #41 Abad Santos St., Brgy. Masipag, Puerto Princesa City.

On its Mindanao-leg, the Kagay-an PLUS (Preserving Life, Uniting Society) will set up at Pearlmont Hotel, Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City; and the Olympus Society of Davao at #36 Loyola St., Bo. Obrero, Poblacion District, Davao City.

Department of Health (DOH) records showed that 912 persons tested positive for HIV in March alone. About 94% of which are males and 32% of the total came from the National Capital Region (NCR) followed by the rising cases in CALABARZON at 17% and Central Visayas at 7%. The DOH records also showed that 99 percent of the newly-diagnosed individuals got the virus through sexual contact, in which 86 percent were among men who have sex with men (MSMs). The 1% of the cases was contracted through needle sharing among injecting 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” empowers one’s self-worth that 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 first-ever multi-site community-led HIV testing day is also supported by the DOH through the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and its NCR-Office, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., 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 the “This Is Me: Brave and Free,” one may visit the www.bitly.com/ThisIsMeInfo.

LoveYourself is a non-government organization and widely volunteer-led organization that advocates for HIV awareness, testing and treatment. It also 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.

“Love You Loads” campaign with Electrolux, lightens the loads of moms and women with washing machine donation

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Leading global appliance company Electrolux Philippines, together with its supply chain partner CEVA Philippines, has donated 200 washing machines to mothers, communities and organizations in the Philippines.  

Called “Love You Loads”, the program was designed to help lighten the loads of Filipinos through modern appliances. The washing machines will go towards Gawad Kalinga’s and GMA Foundation’s beneficiaries and programs.

“May is the time where we recognize and share our appreciation for mothers and all the hard work that they do. Electrolux wants to express our support for moms and families all over the country,”  Electrolux Philippines Country Marketing Manager Andrea Soto-Pionilla shared during the turnover ceremony held at the Electrolux office, Bonifacio Global City. 

“Mothers have so many concerns to juggle – from work to taking care of their children and the house on top of that! Laundry should be the last thing they need to worry about. Having a washing machine in their household can make this chore faster and easier so that she can move to more important things and families can spend more time together,” she added. 

Aside from benefiting households, washing machines will also be donated to GMA Kapuso Foundation’s partner organizations who need the units to serve the underprivileged.

Meanwhile, Mark Hoolahan, Human Resources Director of North Asis Cluster of CEVA, said “CEVA Logistics is immensely proud of our long term business partnership with Electrolux. We are privileged to be able to partner with Electrolux in assisting such worthwhile causes as the GMA Kapuso Foundation and the Gawad Kalinga community.” 

Employees of Electrolux Philippines also participated in the program by creating cards for each washing machine, sharing a personal message of encouragement for the beneficiaries. 

Through the advent of technology, modern appliances have helped to transform the home life of Filipinos, allowing homemakers to do chores more efficiently and giving them more time to enjoy with family. 

The program is also in line with the aim of Electrolux, which is to shape living for the better and improve the everyday lives of Filipinos. It means a renewed focus on what their products and solutions can help people achieve, to create experiences that will elevate everyday life and to be a driving force in sustainable living. 

For more information on Electrolux Philippines and Love You Loads Program, visit www.electrolux.com.ph and follow @ElectroluxPhilippines on Facebook and Instagram or @ElectroluxPH on Twitter.

Solar Pictures bring Citizen Jake in cinemas nationwide starting May 23

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The long wait is over. CITIZEN JAKE will finally be screening in Philippine cinemas nationwide beginning May 23, 2018. This was confirmed by director Mike de Leon himself after several meetings with Solar Pictures in the past few weeks. 

On the Facebook page of CITIZEN JAKE, director Mike appeals to the public for support: “My film may be fiction, but it is based on truths we ignore at our own risk. It should be seen by its audience in its original version, without cuts and without compromise. The film is not perfect, far from it, but it is a good honest film that is seeking an audience that I am convinced is out there. May you allow me to ask for your support?”

Coincidentally, BAYANING THIRD WORLD, the last film directed by Mike was also distributed theatrically by Solar 18 years ago. “We are so excited to be working again with veteran director Mike de Leon,” says Mr. Wilson Tieng, President and CEO of Solar Entertainment. “The unconventional storytelling of CITIZEN JAKE is something we would like to offer the audience. The story is also relevant today and we hope this will drive moviegoers to watch this starting May 23.”

CITIZEN JAKE is the story of Jake Herrera, journalist and estranged son of a powerful Philippine senator. More than anything, he wants to prove he is not like his father. This has been the motivation for most of his adult life’s decisions, from career choice to his attempt to build a life for himself far away, in Baguio. But circumstances force him to try to solve the brutal murder of a young, female student from the university he teaches in. The investigation brings him on a path to encounter corruption and to finally face his own demons.

Featuring real life journalist Atom Araullo, playing the titular hero, he is joined by a stellar ensemble that includes Cherie Gil, Dina Bonnevie, Luis Alandy, Gabby Eigenmann, Max Collins, Teroy Guzman, Lou Veloso, Richard Quan, with Victor Neri, Allan Paule, Anna Luna, Elora Españo, Cholo Barretto, Raquel Villavicencio, Nanding Josef, and Ruby Ruiz. The screenplay is written by Mike de Leon, Atom Araullo, and Noel Pascual.

Rated R13 without cuts by the MTRCB, catch CITIZEN JAKE in major cinemas nationwide on May 23, exclusively distributed by Solar Pictures. For more details, follow the official Facebook page @CitizenJakeFilm and use the official hashtags #CitizenJake and #CitizenJakeFilm. 

Follow Solar Pictures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @solarpicturesPH.

Acer X Samsonite launched #CarryOn for its Back-to-School Promo

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Manila, Philippines , May 15, 2018 – Acer Philippines, a leading tech and innovations company, partners with Samsonite, an American luggage and travel bag manufacturer to encourage Millennials to #CarryOn for its Back-to-School Promo. 

The launch event was held on May 15, 2018 at the Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall.  

This year, Acer Philippines’ back-to-school promo is especially made for millennials. Seeing the world’s biggest generation’s constant thirst for adventure and new experiences, the tech giant uses travelling as a motivation to inspire the youth to do well, whether in school or in their professions.

Aptly called “#CarryOn”, the Promo encourages the youth to power through the hurdles they encounter in pursuit of their dreams and goals. 

“If there’s one thing we’ve learned about millennials, it’s that they are very passionate individuals who are unstoppable if they are truly motivated,” shares Sue Ong-Lim, Acer Philippines’ Sales and Marketing Director.

“Travel is, without a doubt, one of their strongest motivations. This is why we’ve partnered with Samsonite, a household name when it comes to travelling, to help us propel this cause forward. Hand in hand, we are hopeful that we will be able to not only motivate our millennials, but also reward them for their hard work by fueling their wanderlust.”  

Befitting a movement that advocates trying out different things and enjoying new experiences, Acer Philippines’ Back-to-School Promo was launched through a travel-inspired event, where guests filled out a passport by completing various activities.

The affair also saw the debut of the #CarryOn video, which shows what the back-to-school campaign is all about. Directed by Ms. Irene Villamor, known for her works in Camp Sawi and Meet Me In St. Gallen, the film depicts how the youth turn to travelling as a way to cope and re-energize in the face of the stresses of their daily lives. The full video may be seen in the Acer Facebook Page.

“Travel inspires a different form of education – it makes you learn about new environments, exposes you to different cultures, and gives you a clearer view of the world.  Samsonite could not be happier to be partnering with Acer in promoting such a holistic growth for the millennial generation, ”  shares Ciely Buenviaje, Country Head of Samsonite Philippines.

The Acer Philippines #CarryOn Back-to-School Promo will run until June 30, 2018, during which every purchase of qualified Acer and Predator laptops, Acer projectors, and Acer desktop will come with free Samsonite luggage. 

For more information on the Promo, visit the Acer Philippines Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/AcerPH and the Acer Philippines website at www.acer.com.ph, and follow @acerphils on Twitter. You may also purchase online via http://ph-store.acer.com/.

AirAsia Hits Half a Billion Guests! Sixteen Years of Blood, Sweat and Tears

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BANGKOK, 15 May 2018 – In just sixteen years, AirAsia has flown over 500 million guests to over 130 destinations, many of which are unique destinations that only AirAsia flies to.

AirAsia's 500 millionth guest Dr Panut Oprasertsawat (centre right) receiving 3 million AirAsia BIG Points, THB50,000 worth of Vidi vouchers and free AirAsia flights for life from AirAsia Group CEO and AirAsia X Co-Group CEO Tony Fernandes and Thai TV superstar Pope Thanawat (second from right).

“We started in 2001 with just 2 planes and 200 Allstars in Malaysia and carried 200,000 guests. Today, we have more than 200 planes, over 20,000 Allstars of 50 different nationalities and half a billion guests, 60% of which were first time flyers. Half a billion guests is no small feat -- it is 7 times the population of Thailand, 16 times the population of Malaysia and about 80 percent of the entire Asean population (640 million, 2018*). 

“We would like to attribute this incredible milestone to every single guest who has flown with AirAsia. We are delighted to have been part of the flying experiences and memories of so many people and communities around the world, especially Asean, making it a smaller place. We are also proud to have contributed positively to the region’s economy through tourism and job creation,”  said AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes. 

The 500 millionth guest, 34-year old Dr Panut Oprasertsawat took AirAsia over the half a billion mark when he flew from Phuket to Bangkok Don Mueang on 18 March 2018.

Dr Panut Oprasertsawat said, “I travel frequently between Bangkok and Phuket for work. AirAsia has always been my preferred airline due to their high flight frequency, affordable price and excellent services. Over the past decade, I am able to manage my business at both places due to the easy access of air connectivity. I am truly excited to be part of this milestone.”

AirAsia is proud to be a market leader in air connectivity within Asean. Since its early days, AirAsia has initiated new routes which were previously unheard of, including between East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia, in order to bring communities closer and boost economic activities. The airline was also the first to introduce international flights to Bandung, Indonesia, which has now grown to be a key international hub.

Most recently, the UK-based air travel intelligence company OAG reported that Singapore-Kuala Lumpur is the busiest international route, with AirAsia now holding the largest share of capacity.

AirAsia has been named the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline at the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards nine times in a row from 2009 to 2017. AirAsia was also awarded World's Leading Low-Cost Airline for the fifth consecutive year at the 2017 World Travel Awards, where it became the inaugural recipient of the World's Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew award.

The airline has also realised many of its Allstars’ dreams such as Kugan Tangiisuran, who started as a dispatch boy to now sitting in the flight deck as a co-pilot; Logan Velaitham, who was a cabin crew and now leads AirAsia Singapore as a CEO; first commercial female pilot in Malaysia, Captain Norasikin Che Onn and many more dreams of talented Allstars.

AirAsia will bring its #halfabillion celebration to selected destinations across the region, on the ground and in the air, while guests will be able to view a personalised video of their journey with AirAsia when they log into halfabillion.airasia.com.

* https://www.statista.com/statistics/796222/total-population-of-the-asean-countries/