Jane Kingsu
At first, it was just a simple plan to give out free condoms, but Ian Angelo King (president of Victoria Court) realized that this alone was not going to regulate the incidence of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
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| Borgy Manotoc, Joey Mead, Claudine Trillo | |
The root of the problem was, indeed, a lack of education. Thus, the HIV Awareness Organization was born. Ian, along with his family and friends, invited celebrities, artists, athletes and other personalities to become spokespersons for the campaign. A group of college students was also invited to produce a video promoting HIV awareness, with the winning group receiving prizes from corporate supporters (this year includes Motorola, SeaAir and Folded and Hung). From awareness, real effects and direct assistance to HIV-positive people have been extended.
Victoria Court has already developed a means by which raising funds for HIV-positive individuals is accomplished. Stophiv.info produces merchandise such as T-shirts, bands, and dog tags, which are for sale to help raise the funds for the cause. Part of the proceeds help fund their prevention initiatives, and some are donated to Filipino HIV carriers that need constant immunization shots to prevent the development of their HIV into AIDS.
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Jessica Wilson, Richard Gutierrez, Bubbles
Paraiso and Marc Nelson | | And so, last December 1, on World Aids Day, Victoria Court reminded us to “spread the love, and NOT the virus.” An exhibit featuring its newest roster of HIV Awareness advocates was the highlight of the celebration at the new Embassy Superclub. These men and women were photographed by ace photographer Mark Nicdao, with makeup artists provided by Shu Uemura.
I was deeply touched to find people coming in red to show support for the campaign (the whole place was packed), and paid P100 as entrance fee which will go to the support fund. Incidentally, Motorola launched their MOTO RED phone (a new product that gives directly to the Global Fund) that night as well. “Motorola has been doing business in Africa (in support of AIDS awareness) for more than 30 years, and our support of the Global Fund is one way that we’re able to give back to the region. Additionally, with our new red model, MOTOSLVR will help change the way people think about AIDS in Africa. We’re literally placing in people’s hands an opportunity to help find a solution,” says Ron Garriques, president of Motorola Mobile Devices.
For comments and suggestions, email me at janietulip@gmail.com.
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