“Protect the Goal” kicks off in the Philippines

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Global football-based HIV prevention campaign headlined by the Philippine football national team, Azkals, targets youth at risk.

Protect the Goal, the football-based HIV prevention campaign will officially be launched on June 22, 2014 during the opening of the LoveYourself Anglo, a new free HIV testing community center along Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas.

Protect the Goal, the football-based HIV prevention campaign that has swept the world with its sports-oriented approach to promoting HIV testing and safer sex behavior, has kicked off in the Philippines.

The campaign ultimately seeks to help lower the risk of HIV transmission among the Filipino youth, specifically among young Filipino men. In the Philippines, 71% of new infections since 1984 were in young people and that two-thirds of high risk young people actually do not know their HIV status.

First launched at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the campaign has since been replicated in other Southeast Asian countries, and has now been launched in the Philippines led by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and local partner, the Philippine Football Federation. The campaign also draws multi-sectoral support from partners such as the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and advocacy group LoveYourself.

Azkals campaign

Protect the Goal hopes to reach out to young Filipino men through football, one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and through role models they can look up to, professional football players.

“Protect the Goal wants to tap into the convening power of football and the positive influence of the Azkals to promote HIV testing in the Philippines. Football has grown tremendously in the Philippines for the last few years and the AFC sees this as a good opportunity to help promote relevant causes such as HIV prevention,” says Urs Zanitti, regional coordinator for the Protect the Goal campaign in Asia.

“In the Philippines, most of the people who get infected are young men and we feel that many young men look up football players. We hope that through the example of the Azkals, we can encourage young Filipinos to take a more proactive stance in their health, especially in relation to HIV.”

Protect the Goal promotional materials will be visible during Azkals games. These should help encourage young football fans to take the HIV test through free clinics such as the new LoveYourself Anglo community center along Shaw Boulevard near Ortigas, or any other HIV testing centers.

Organizers partnered with LoveYourself to launch the campaign during the opening of the advocacy’s second community center, LoveYourself Anglo, which provides free and confidential HIV testing and counseling services primarily for young Filipino men. A 3-minute walk away from Starmall in Ortigas, LoveYourself Anglo is accessible to young people living in the center of Metro Manila who would want to take an HIV test, and will be serviced by trained volunteer counselors and government-funded medical professionals

Youth at risk

ADB says the Protect the Goal campaign comes at a critical juncture in curbing the rise of HIV/AIDS infection among the youth in the Philippines and the region. 

“While today’s generation of young people in the region is generally healthier and better educated than in the past, sexual and reproductive health and HIV are often overlooked aspects of their well-being. Added to this is that HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs often don’t reach young people,” says Dr. Susan Roth, senior social development specialist at ADB.

She says the Protect the Goal campaign will increase awareness among young men on risky behavior that will put them in danger of contracting HIV/AIDS. It will also educate them on prevention and testing options that are available to them.

UNAIDS says that while the world has made great leaps in fighting the spread of HIV, certain countries like the Philippines require special attention due to their alarming rate of new infections.

"Globally, progress has made in reducing the number of new HIV infections, getting people living with HIV on treatment and reducing stigma and discrimination. However, much still has to be done, including for the Philippines, one of nine countries reporting a disturbing trend of over 25% reported new infections since 2009,” says Bali Bagasao, country director at UNAIDS Philippines.

“We welcome the partnership with ADB and PFF to raise HIV awareness, encourage young people in particular to commit to HIV prevention; and to underscore the need to ensure that all people living with HIV who are eligible for life-saving antiretroviral treatment can access it by 2015."

Bagasao says the Philippine campaign is aligned with the Global campaign to ‘Protect the Goal’ launched by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sdibe to get to zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths, through the power of football. 

“There is something about the sport that brings people together. Football inspires camaraderie and teamwork. Getting a goal through in football is a huge challenge, but it can be done if players work together as a team. This is the same in the HIV prevention campaign. Preventing the spread of HIV is a big challenge, but if we all work together as a team, we can protect the goal of bringing new infections down to zero,” adds Zanitti.

Positive peer influence

The campaign is also hoping to gain traction by tapping into the deep community bonds that form the fabric of Filipino society. Supporters who want to get involved in the campaign can take the HIV test and then use positive peer influence to encourage their friends to do the same.

“Young people influence each other and we hope to influence them through messages delivered by their peers, like the players of the national football team. If we can get them to get tested, we can give them advice on how to protect themselves from getting infected with HIV through the counseling process.”

“If people get tested, they can share their experience with their friends and peers and encourage them to get tested as well,” says Zanitti.

About AFC

AFC is the governing body of football in Asia. AFC and its 47 football associations in Asia care about football but at the same time also AFC wants to use the power of football to contribute to the social development of people. In the Philippines, AFC works with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) to launch the Protect the Goal campaign and other initiatives.

About ADB

Over the past decade, ADB has invested more than 50 million USD in projects which address the issues of HIV/AIDS in Asia Pacific, with the focus on tackling HIV and AIDS risks and vulnerabilities along economic corridors. 

The Government of Sweden provided around 19 million USD through the “Cooperation fund for fighting HIV/AIDS in Asia Pacific” trust fund. The objectives were to produce more data on the extent and nature of HIV/AIDS in Asia Pacific, to support policy dialogue, and fund innovative solutions to promote HIV/AIDS awareness.

ADB co-financed the Protect the Goal campaign in the amount of 250,000 USD, guided the overall implementation strategy, brought together NGOs with the AFC and UNAIDS, and facilitated the partnership. 

About LoveYourself Anglo

To avail of free HIV testing and counseling services, visit LoveYourself Anglo at 715-A Shaw Boulevard, 3F Units 2-6 in Mandaluyong City. It is located at the back of Star Mall and a 3-minute walk from Shaw MRT Station. Or visit loveyourself.ph to know more and schedule an HIV test. 

About LoveYourself

Volunteers of LoveYourself live by the mission of embracing and nurturing self-worth, inspiring others, and creating ripples of positive change in the community. They work together to create a model community of men who have sex with men (MSM) and friends who empower and affirm the self-worth of youth and MSM in the Philippines through various services, including free HIV testing and counseling. Through the unwavering courage and dedication of its volunteers, the organization was recognized nationally as one of the finalists to the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in 2013.

Grateful and honored Jessica Soho for being Philippines Most Trusted News Presenter for 2014 by Reader’s Digest Asia

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Jessica Soho, journalist, broadcaster and GMA Network’s vice president for News Programs often shares her story about being an “accidental journalist,” but her long list of achievements including the distinction of being announced as the Philippines Most Trusted News Presenter for 2014 by Reader’s Digest Asia is certainly no coincidence.

Jessica Soho

“It’s always a proud moment for me to go up on stage and receive my award. I’m grateful because Reader’s Digest is such an influential and respected magazine,” says Soho in an interview.

"Trust is a very big honor in itself but I know that it's also a major responsibility," she added.

Sue Carney, Editor-in-Chief, Readers Digest Asia Pacific and Jessica Soho

She credits the Digest for getting her hooked on reading and shared how she would even borrow her aunt’s magazines since her family couldn’t afford their own subscription back then.

The veteran broadcaster’s latest honor is featured in the June 2014 special issue of Reader’s Digest.

Voted for by consumers, Reader's Digest Most Trusted Brand Awards have been given to brands excelling in various fields for the past 16 years.

Soho is widely regarded as the most awarded broadcast journalist in the country and her long list of awards includes two George Foster Peabody Awards for her investigative reports “Kidneys for Sale” and “Kamao.” The Peabody Awards are considered the Oscars of broadcast journalism. 

Initially planning to study law, Soho met journalist Luis Beltran at the UP College of Mass Communications, and he inspired her to finish Mass Communications.

During the mid-80s, fresh from college, just after finishing with her undergraduate thesis when she joined the GMA team.

Soho is the first Filipino to win in the New York Film Festival for Coverage of a Breaking Story for her account of a hostage crisis in Cagayan Valley. She also received the Ka Doroy Valencia Award given by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and is included in the list of 100 Filipino Women of Distinction.

With almost three decades of experience as a journalist, Soho has set the bar for quality reportage in Philippine broadcasting. Her trademark straight-to-the-point style of interviewing guests and reporters provides viewers with in-depth analysis and insights on local and international issues.

Apart from GMA News TV's flagship newscast, State of the Nation, Soho also hosts the award-winning weekend news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.

Reader's Digest Trusted Brands Award 2014, Recognizing the products that make a difference

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For business, trust is a form of currency, underpins the perceived value a brand enjoys. If a product doesn't deliver what it promises, or what it has done on previous occasions, then there are many alternative products waiting to lure away its customers. But when a brand does deliver, consumers feel a sense of trust and are more likely to support it – and to continue buying it in the future. 

Once trust is established, it becomes an instinctive response – the consumer buys the brand without so much as a second thought because it is "their" brand.

Trust, the difference between succeeding and building the legacy of a company. Much like any kind of relationship, something that is not so easily achieved, yet has become invaluable in today's rapidly changing landscape. 

For consumers, a trusted brand makes their lives easier and gives them peace of mind, hence they are even willing to pay a bit more for the products they trust.

For business, this is the ultimate vote of confidence. While reputation is based on past experiences, trust is a forward-facing measure, and is imbued with expectation, promise and satisfaction. Once gained, it is its own reward.

Consumers have high expectations. A trusted brand must be genuine, reliable and consistent. A trusted brand enjoys international appeal, yet at the same time upholds a strong local connection. It has individual relevance for all its consumers, just about anywhere and in any culture.

Consumers take a lot of things into account such as cost, quality and desirability. But the survey also revealed that staying true to its promise is just as important. Trends give rise to a lot of new brands that quickly capture our attention, but only those who stay true to their core principles are the ones that win over consumer trust.

Now on its 16th year, Reader’s Digest Asia again conducts its Trusted Brands Survey approaching ordinary consumers to seek their opinions about the brands of products and services are important to them.

The grand awarding ceremony was held on June 4, 2014, at the CROWNE PLAZA MANILA, with Readers Digest Asia editor in chief Sue Carney and Readers Digest Group Advertising Director for Asia Pacific, Sheron White handing out the awards to the top executives of the winning brands.

Backed with years of experienced research, Reader’s Digest confidently dissects what features a trusted brand must possess in order to maintain relevance and purpose for Philippine consumers.

Being ranked on the Trusted Brand list is a great achievement, but maintaining this ranking involves a genuine commitment to protect and fulfil the promises made to the consumer. It means ensuring the quality doesn't drop. It means that great taste stays the same. And it definitely means delivering the same value and consumer satisfaction year in and year out, while always remaining open to innovation and reinvention – a task easier said than done.

Together with leading global market research company Ipsos, the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands surveyed five thousand individuals from across five of Asia’s Key Markets including the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan.

The respondents included Reader’s Digest subscribers as well as selected individuals to reflect the demographics of the general population. Each respondent was required to complete a questionnaire or participate in a mail or online survey. Ipsos asked each participant to tell us the name of their most trusted brands and then rate those brands listed on the following attributes: trustworthiness and credibility, quality, value understanding of consumer needs innovation and social responsibility.

Gold Trusted Brand Awards are given to brands that scored significantly higher than their rivals while brands that performed exceptionally, winning their category with a score that vastly outpolled their nearest competitor receive the Platinum Trusted Brand Award. 

Asia’s Trusted Brand Award, meanwhile are given to brands that win the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand award in the same category for at least three countries surveyed.

The results present a captivating and transparent analysis of consumer confidence in brands driving the Philippines economy as well as the other economies surveyed.

Original Soundtrack of "Walking on Sunshine" to be released on June 26, movie in Ph cinemas on July 2nd

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The Power Of Love,  Don’t You Want Me?, Walking On Sunshine, Eternal Flame, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Wild Boys, and more greatest pop hits of the 80's are here in this album.

Sony Music is proud to announce the release of the original motion picture soundtrack of the musical Walking on Sunshine. The stars of the film, including a global superstar, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Leona Lewis, perform the hottest hits of the 80’s. The movie is a romantic musical, full of fun and packed with highly recognisable songs, the story of a threesome tangled in love at a holiday location in Italy. 

This musical film includes the greatest pop hits of the 80s, making for the perfect soundtrack, with an irresistible line-up of songs that make it impossible to sit still while listening. Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me”, a #1 single in the UK and US, sets up the theme of romantic hope. Madonna’s unforgettable hit “Holiday” is just right for singing along (“celebrate!”) in the cinema or at home. And if anyone is in doubt about the film’s fun factor, then Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” makes things as clear as they could be. There are some quieter, soulful tracks too – “Eternal Flame” by The Bangles is one, and a beautiful, soft rendering of the Roxettes’ “It Must Have Been Love” is another – but the dominant mood is punchy and upbeat. “Wild Boys” gets a raunchy performance, full of energy. “How Will I Know?”, a smash hit for Whitney Houston, is a funky, foot-tapping song of a love-struck girl, and with the powerful female vocals of “Venus”, you have to agree with the lyrics: “Yeah, baby, she’s got it!” This pyrotechnic parade of top tracks is rounded off by Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go”. All of these numbers are performed with real verve by the stars of the film cast.

A highlight of the film is the appearance of the multi-award winning and Grammy-nominated Leona Lewis, who makes her debut in movies in Walking on Sunshine, performing on the soundtrack and in the film itself. She came to attention in 2006 as the winner of The X Factor in the UK and has released two studio albums, the mega-selling Spirit in 2007 and Echo in 2009. Her international breakthrough single, “Bleeding Love”, received five awards. She has released ten singles, four of which have reached number one in various charts.

Walking on Sunshine has all the makings of a sing-along cult film à la Mamma Mia – thanks to its charming story and locations, fine acting, and above all its stellar soundtrack, an unbeatable compilation of 1980s hits. No-one could fail to smile, move to the rhythm and tap their feet with these songs.

ABOUT THE FILM

Directed by Max and Dania (the duo behind one of the most successful UK independent films of all time – StreetDance 3D), it stars Leona Lewis, Katy Brand, one of the UK’s top woman comedians, and Greg Wise, an actor renowned for his work in BBC drama, alongside rising stars Annabel Scholey and Hannah Arterton, plus Giulio Berruti in the role of gorgeous man, this is a film for a girls’ night out. After a whirlwind romance, Maddie is preparing to marry Raf and has invited her sister Taylor to the wedding in Italy. What Maddie does not know is that Raf is Taylor’s ex-holiday flame, and the love of her life. And that is only one of many bumps along the film’s road to happiness.

The film is locally distributed by Pioneer Films, and the Philippine theatrical release is July 2nd. 

Here's the Walking on Sunshine soundtrack track listing:

1. Holiday

2. Venus

3. How Will I Know?

4. The Power Of Love

5. Don’t You Want Me?

6. Walking On Sunshine

7. Eternal Flame

8. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

9. Wild Boys

10. It Must Have Been Love

11. Faith

12. White Wedding

13. If I Could Turn Back Time

14. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go

Three dancers of Ballet Philippines will represent the Ph in the International Ballet Competition to be held in USA and Bulgoria

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Ballet Philippines, the country’s premier classical and contemporary dance company proudly announces the participation of three company members to compete in two prestigious international ballet competitions in USA and Bulgaria.

Victor Maguad and Jemima Sanielle Reyes will represent the Philippines in theUSA International Ballet Competition to be held in Jackson, Mississippi from June 14 – 29, 2014. 

Monica Amanda Gana will represent the Philippines in the 26th International Ballet Competition - Varna 2014 to be held at the Open theater Varna in Bulgaria from July 15 - 30, 2014.

Victor Gamosa Ursabia, director of the Ballet Philippines Dance School is coaching the three dancers and will be accompanying them to both competitions abroad.

Jemima Sanielle Reyes

Jemima Sanielle Reyes started dancing at the age of 3 at the Lilibeth C. Trinidad Dance and Exercise Center in Cabanatuan City. She graduated from the Philippine High School for the Arts, Majoring in Ballet, in 2011. She joined the company as an apprentice at the age of 16 and was promoted to junior company member a year after. She performed the principal role of Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty for the CCPDance School. For the company she has essayed significant roles such as Princess Florine in Sleeping Beauty, Prinsesa in Crisostomo Ibarra, and Gintong Usa in Alice Reyes' Rama Hari. Jemima was a finalist at the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in 2009, she placed 8th at the first Asian Grand Prix International Ballet Competition in 2011 in Hong Kong, and she was a semi-finalist at the 2012 Rudolf Nureyev International Ballet Competition in Budapest, Hungary.

Victor Maguad

Victor Maguad started dancing at the age of 7, training under the supervision of Luther Perez, Tony Fabella and Eddie Elejar at the Manila Dance Center where he was given a chance to join Ballet Philippines' production of Shoes++ in 2000. He played Michael in Edna Vida's Peter Pan in 2001 and essayed John when the production was restaged in 2010.

He joined the CCP Dance School in 2004 as a full scholar at the young age of 11 under the tutelage of Noordin Jumalon. His passion for dance and his exceptional technique brought him to dance various male variations such as Basilio in Don Quixote, Prince Florimund in the Sleeping Beauty and the male variation in Paquita. In 2007, he competed at the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) and won 3rd place in the Juniors Ballet category. Later that year he performed in the Philippine Festival in Japan.

Monica Gana

Monica Amanda Gana started her formal dance instruction at the age of 8 under the guidance of Toni Lopez Gonzalez. In Steps Dance Studio she continued to train in Contemporary Modern, Jazz and the classical ballet syllabus of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She was trained and took classes with Sofia Elizalde, Raul Sauz, Eurica Balagtas, Jeffrey Espejo, Anna Villadolid, Jun Saagundo, James Laforteza and Max Luna III. Monica placed first in the Junior Category of the 2011 National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) Ballet Competition and eighth in the 2012 Asian Grand Prix International Ballet competition in Hong Kong. Monica attended Alvin Ailey’s 2011 Summer Intensive Workshop and the 2012 American Ballet Theater Summer Intensive Workshop in New York City. She is now studying in the College ofSaint Benilde taking a degree in Dance. 

Ballet Philippines’ Candice Adea and her partner Jean Marc Cordero competed at the 2010 USA IBC. Candice Adea won the silver medal in the senior women's division and won first place at the 2012 Helsinki International Ballet Competition.

THE USA INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION which has been held every four years since 1979, provides an opportunity for dancers to test themselves against recognized international standards of dance excellence; to showcase their technical skill and artistic talent; to provide a forum for communication and intercultural exchange; and to educate, enlighten and develop future artists and audience support for the art of dance. The two-week competition is where tomorrow’s ballet stars vie for gold, silver and bronze medals, cash awards, scholarships and jobs. It can be an invaluable stepping stone to a dancer’s career. 

For this year, there will be a total of 99 dancers representing 20 countries composed of 57 senior competitors (ages 19-26) and 42 juniors (ages 15-18).

Established in 1964, the INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION - VARNA is one of the world’s first professional ballet competitions. In spite of the many ballet competitions created in the world, none other can rival the Varna Competition in terms of quality and prestige, well illustrated by its discovery and consecration of stars such as Vladimir Vassiliev, Natalia Makarova, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Patrick Dupont and Sylvie Guillem. The quality of the performances throughout the event, the high degree of technical skill from the competitors and the demands of the jury are so great that the competition has been nicknamed “The Dance Olympics”.

Good luck to Jemima Sanielle Reyes, Victor Maguad and Monica Amanda Gana!

For inquiries, visit www.ballet.ph, send an email to info@ballet.ph, or call BalletPhilippines at 551-1003. 

Connect to Ballet Philippines online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines

Twitter: @balletph

Instagram: @balletphilippines

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/balletph

Photo credits: The headshots were taken by Jojo Mamangun and the performance photos are by Victor Gamosa Ursabia.