I support TxtHIV to 8504

Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom powers “TxtHIV to 8504” campaign, a first of its kind SMS-based information, counseling, and clinic referral drive in Asia for people who wants to be tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but are afraid of facing societal discrimination. The disease leads to the fatal Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) often associated with sexual promiscuity.

“TxtHIV to 8504 is Globe Telecom’s way of tapping into the wide use of SMS in the country and harnessing the power of telecommunications to further solutions in health care. It offers an accessible and easy-to-use solution which can change and even save lives. Our assistance to this campaign is part of Globe Telecom’s advocacy to provide communities that it serves with access to social services,” said Fernando Esguerra, OIC of Globe Corporate Social Responsibility.

Currently available only to Globe postpaid and prepaid mobile users, those at risk may simply text HIV to 8504 and answer five yes or no questions via an interactive voice recording to check if testing is necessary. The sender is then provided with contact details and addresses of the nearest specialized accredited health centers where they can go for assessment, counseling, and immediate treatment. The use of IVR, likewise, ensures that all calls remain very impersonal and confidential.

“I wish to thank all our collaborating partners for their support and involvement in this pioneering effort. Development of this IT-driven platform took some time as it required the involvement of key partner organizations that believe in the same cause of making health accessible to all, are willing to share their resources and expertise, and are committed to make the idea become a reality. Indeed, this is a trailblazing public, private, civil society partnership for an innovative, cost-effective, and practical solution to reach individuals who are at risk or vulnerable to HIV and STI infection,” said Oscar Picazo, chairman of Philippine NGO Support Program (PHANSuP).

PHANSuP spearheads TxtHIV to 8504 together with the Philippine National Aids Council, Globe, S&S Technologies, and local health programs of the cities of Manila, Pasay, Pasig, and Quezon. It is currently being piloted in Metro Manila but is expected to eventually go nationwide. More clinics and local government units are also being enjoined to be part of the program.

There are only seven countries in the world which are experiencing a steady increase in the number of HIV cases and the Philippines is one of them. The Philippines received 12 new cases of HIV daily in 2013 from only one case in 2009, with 95% of them involving males. Since 1984, 17,450 Filipinos have been reported with HIV, 1,599 of them have progressed into AIDS.

By widening awareness about HIV and encouraging people to get tested, the campaign would be able to contribute to the country’s efforts of halting or reversing the spread of HIV/AIDs by 2015 in line with the UN Millennium Development Goal 6.

At present, only one percent of the general population has been tested for HIV since most people are afraid to ask for help or simply do not know where to get information, making TxtHIV to 8504 an important avenue not only for sending across information about HIV but also in encouraging those who may be affected to take the first step. The text service is provided for free to Globe users for one year.

HIV may be contracted through blood transfusion, needle-sharing, mother-child transmission, and unprotected sexual contact.

Globe Telecom expands cellular service in typhoon-hit areas; close to 70% restored

61% of 3G sites up in Antique, 80% in Bohol, 71% in Cebu,100% in Guimaras, 72% in Iloilo, 80% in Negros Occidental, 75% in Northern Samar

Globe opens Libreng Tawag center in Villamor for evacuees

Globe Telecom said on Thursday that close to 70% of affected cell sites in Visayas are now up and running following accelerated efforts by the company to restore cellular services in areas hard-hit by the typhoon.

Globe has so far restored 61% of its 3G sites in Antique, 80% in Bohol, 71% in Cebu,100% in Guimaras, 72% in Iloilo, 80% in Negros Occidental, 75% in Northern Samar.

In Tacloban City, the company now has two working cell sites, improving substantially cellular coverage in the typhoon-hit city. The reactivation of its cell site located in Calvary Hill is critical as it will now serve as a link-up to the company’s other cell sites in the city. The company expects to reactivate its other remaining cell sites in the city within the week. Globe also has an active cell site near Maharlika Highway.

In addition to the two cellsites, two units of cellsite on wheels (COW) are expected to be operational soon. One unit of COW has been stationed at the airport to provide mobile connectivity to military and government authorities currently coordinating relief and rescue operations in the city. The second of COW will be stationed within the city proper to further improve mobile connectivity in Tacloban.

Aside from Tacloban City, areas in Leyte where Globe also has restored cellular service include Javier, San Miguel and Ormoc City.

In Southern Leyte, Globe has already restored most of its affected sites, bringing back cellular coverage in the municipalities of Anahawan, Libagon, Liloan, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan, Saint Bernard, San Juan, Sogod and Maasin City.

In Western Samar, areas where mobile coverage has been restored include the municipalities of Macrohon, Santa Margarita, Tarangnan, Zumarraga, Calbayog City and Catbalogan while in Northern Samar, municipalities with cellular coverage include Bobon, Catarman, Mondragon, Pambujan and San Roque.

In Aklan, the company has restored its cellular service in Nabas and Malay, including the tourist destination of Boracay.

In Capiz, municipalities with cellular services include Ivisan, Pontevedra and Roxas City. In Iloilo, the following municipalities have mobile coverage: Alimodia, Badiangan, Barolac Nuevo, Cabatuan, Calinog, Passi City, Duenas, Dumangas, Guimbal, Igbaras, Janiuay, Lambunao, Leganes, Leon, Maasin, Miagao, New Lucena, Oton, Pavia, Pototan, San Enrique, San Joaquin, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Tigbauan, Tubungan, Zarraga and Iloilo City.

In Antique, Globe’s telecom’s mobile service now covers the municipalities of Anini-y, Barbaza, Belison, Bugasong, Hamtic, Patnongon, San Jose, San Remigio, Sibalom and Tobias Fornier, In Biliran, services are now up in Alburquerque, Alicia and Anda.

On the other hand, majority of cities and municipalities in Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental have cellular services.

Meanwhile, Globe has expanded its Libreng Tawag operations, establishing another center in Villamor Air Base for refugees coming from typhoon-stricken areas. The company also has a Libreng Tawag center in Barangay Naga-Naga in Tacloban City.

***

Let’s continue helping the Philippines! Find out here how you can help! — http://readyph.com

MTV EXIT: Jason Mraz

You can’t imagine the smile in my face when I received an email from our friends at MTV Asia – Singapore about yet another MTV EXIT stint by Jason Mraz. If you could remember, Mraz also did the same thing here in Manila when he had his concert last year. Now it’s Myanmar’s turn to be serenaded by our lovely bohemian lover of life, and get educated about human trafficking. More of this after the jump!

Muni Garage Sale at Moonleaf Maginhawa!

Tomorrow, the Nomad Manager along with some other brands will have a garage sale at Moonleaf Maginhawa under the Muni PH which aims to build a community of cultural creatives to influence healthy, responsible living to its full potential. I’d rather tell you to read their blog to know more about them.

And please go to their garage sale! Punchdrunk Panda, Vesti, Lagu, Jacinto and Lirio, and Caleb’s Closet will be there as well!

I’ll see you there, yes?

No matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgendered life

From the Human Rights Campaign Facebook page

So today (in some other countries) they remember those who have suffered and died because of discrimination of their chosen gender roles and preferences. It is sad, but what we could do now is to remember, learn, and apply what history could teach us.

Nobody should die because they chose who they really are and chose not to live a life of conformity. And may this day may serve its purpose – to open the eyes of the blinded and for us who are different from the rest of them, may it serve as an encouragement to be brave and face this life with dignity and pride.

SPREAD THE WORD: Relief Drive for the victims of Monsoon Floods

Hello everyone! Sorry for the delay of posts… I’ve been busy with work and well, all this rain which we can’t call a legit typhoon. Anyway, we at Moonleaf are organizing a relief drive over at our Maginhawa branch to gather all your donations for the victims of the monsoon flooding. All donations are welcome – cash, food, waters, clothes, toiletries, etc. Please contact me @Jonver_David, Thysz @thysz, or Tonyo @tonyocruz for coordination, if necessary.

Again, our country is facing a huge challenge, but it is up to us to step up and help our own people. A little help goes a long way and any effort is appreciated. Keep safe everyone :)

P.S. If you’re from the South, and can’t come all the way to the North (obviously) you can drop them off at Binalot (@binalot) Dela Costa branch at Makati. Also, refer to this link for list of relief operations around the country. Thank you very much!

One Bookworm-y Saturday

It’s been almost two weeks since we held the very first Bookworm Brigade bookswap + bookdrive at Moonleaf Maginhawam, and I am still overwhelmed of what we were able to do – gather books and book lovers and share it with each other. I’m glad that a lot were commending what we did but little did they know that it just really began with a tweet.

The untold story was Cariza, Jonard and I were just tweeting, actually ranting, how we are out of books and cash and how we want to read more books. We initially thought of swapping books. But then we thought we could bring some more friends over, until the event page was made. Long story cut short, the event grew bigger and next time we know we’re  facing piles and piles of books at Moonleaf Maginhawa. STILL. OVERWHELMING. FOR. ME.

Goofing around while manning our makeshift nooks :)

Team DGNTY dropped some books as well. Thanksies girls!

I really promise, we’ll do it longer next time! A lot were tweeting that they weren’t able to drop by because we packed up just before 5pm! It’s because some of us were heading to Makati to Mashable Social Media Day! I really make it a point to head over there to show my support to my friends who organized it.

When will be the next Bookworm Brigade? I really don’t know. Honestly, if it were up to me, I’d have it monthly. But let’s see where this will lead us. I’m just really glad that people appreciated what we did, and I really think my team deserves pats-on-the-back… and a SPIDER-MAN MOVIE!

Cariza, Jonard, if you’re reading this. Thank you and see you on Saturday for that movie date! Teehee!

Current mood: Young the Giant

I’m still on massive hangovers from 1.) Gay Pride Party shit cray courtesy of the Panty Monsters (blogging pictures soon, haha) and 2.) the humble success of our little bookdrive, The Bookworm Brigade at Moonleaf Maginhawa…

Didn’t really expect to see a lot of new faces. Honestly, I wasn’t confident enough that we got the word out enough, but judging from the crowd and how books piled titles after titles, I think Jonard, Cariza and I had done a pretty good job! Also some of the people who went were really glad and were asking us to collaborate with them on next ones… I haven’t put much thought about it, but it’d be really fun if we can do this again!

I got to let go some of my beloved books my measly high school allowance could buy. Now I have new babies to read! I AM SO HAPPY!

Time to start reading!! I’m just finishing Pictures of Hollis Woods, and a couple magazines, then maybe I’m off to start Lord of the Flies by William Golding… I can’t wait already!

Tomato chambray shirt, Stereotyped graphic tee, Hang Ten shorts, Tomato mustard sneakers

And I am just very grateful because everything was a-ok! That me and my team were able to pull it off. I’m happy about that. Though, really, emotionally I am still… not. But that’s not the point. I guess you can’t have everything (as I always end up saying.) I guess that’s how it goes. Life always has reasons to fuck us all. Life’s pretty damn short though. And why spend it on caring anyway?

Life ‘s too short to even care at all…
One  more spoon of cough syrup now…

So I won’t.

Letting go

I’m… letting go of these babies. I’m already on the brink of crying because of separation issues… and all the asthma I got after unearthing these babies :(

It’s sad, but in one point or another, we all have to say good bye.
But I’m looking forward to getting new titles on Saturday at The Bookworm Brigade! Happening this Saturday already at Moonleaf Maginhawa :)

Map by Jonard

Bring your old books, magazines, and any other reading materials for swapping and/or donating and have some tea with us!

Pub mats by Cariza

Also, we’re giving away felt bookmarks (c/o Moonleaf and Twee Shop) to the first 100 registrants —

Planner not included, hehe

We’ll see you on Saturday! I’m so excited already :)

Official event pub mat by VPG

For more updates, please RSVP to our event page here :)

Schools Run for School Rooms

Iligan City was among the places in Northeastern Mindanao that were worst-hit by typhoon Sendong. The typhoon, which ravaged the region with its heavy rainfall from December 15 to 18, left a total of PhP 1,033,131,515,100. 00 worth of damages in infrastructures, agricultural crops, and school buildings. Six months after the disaster, the situation in Iligan City remains bleak. Many people are still living in so-called tent cities and living off relief goods. As the school year starts, the children would have to make do with makeshift classrooms, as 12 schools and 136 classrooms in Iligan City were among Sendong’s casualties.

Athletes in Action (AIA) believes in making positive changes in people’s lives through sports. That is why the international humanitarian organization of athletes is organizing an advocacy run on July, which proceeds will fund the rebuilding of the classrooms in Iligan City.

Titled “Schools Run for School Rooms” (SRSR), the advocacy run will gather student-runners from major colleges and universities in Metro Manila to compete in distances of 3K, 5K, and 10K on the urban environment of the Bonifacio Global City early morning of July 7th. Besides college students, groups from government agencies, churches, and private corporations have also expressed their interest in joining the SRSR.

Thank you Fila and AIA for the pleasant evening!