Yasmien Kurdi and More Are Fit to Love, So Are You

STARSTRUCK HIV ADVOCATE: Going a long way after her StarStruck win, Yasmien Kurdi joins LoveYourself, Inc. in providing correct and relevant information about HIV-AIDS as the lead ambassador of the Fit To Love campaign (go.loveyourself.ph/fittolove). Fit To Love is LoveYourself’s annual photoshoot for a cause set on 17-18 March 2018 at The Upper Deck Sports Center in Ortigas Technopoint Building, Pasig City.

(Mandaluyong City). Character actor Yasmien Kurdi embodies her new role in a local TV series as a person living with HIV (PLHIV) by supporting advocacy group LoveYourself with its “Fit To Love” campaign as its main ambassador together with advocates and influencers in the field.

“The advocacy is to promote love and acceptance to people with HIV,” Kurdi underscored adding that with togetherness, “We can fight and conquer the virus.”

The actress further inspired that “If we are not infected with HIV, we are still affected by it,” which she complemented by doing a simple act of love, such as, supporting rather than discriminating, could actually save a million lives from HIV.

To help the cause by joining Fit To Love, the first step is to register at go.loveyourself.ph/fittolove. Fit To Love is set on 17-18 March 2018 at The Upper Deck Sports Center, 6/F, Ortigas Technopoint Building, 1 Doña Julia Vargas Ave., Pasig City.

Fit To Love: Love Your Body, Live Your Life is a spin off to LoveYourself’s annual photoshoot for a cause in raising awareness on HIV and AIDS. A wider support to the HIV cause could help the country reduce the number of new HIV infection which now scores 31 incidences per day according to the latest Department of Health-Epidemiology Bureau report.

In December 2017 alone, a total of 992 individuals were diagnosed to have contracted HIV, 50% of which is falling under the 25-34-year age group, while 33% were aged 15-24 years old.

Also joining Kurdi as Fit To Love ambassadors are conceptual photographer and the Red Whistle founder Niccolo Cosme, Ripple Awardee and Pedal for HIV founder Faustine Angeles Jr., Miss Philippine Earth-Water 2012 Samantha Purvor, Mr. BPO 2017 Lee Bueno, TV host Rodel Flordeliz, VJ Kim Cruz, fashion designer and crossfit athlete Odelon Simpao, creative director and crossfit athlete Gitri San Diego celebrity and make-up artist Jigs Mayuga.

LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivin G. Pagtakhan pointed out, “Fit To Love calls for inclusivity of all supporters and allies that no matter what their size, shape or HIV status is, they can show the world an inspiring outlook towards their sexual, mental and physical health.”

“Previous campaigns were aimed for individuals to capitalize on self-worth to initiate ripples of positive change, particularly healthy and safe choices. Extending this, we believe one can express a variety of ways how they are fit to love others and themselves,” Pagtakhan relayed.

Fit To Love participants are guaranteed of an official LoveYourself black dry-fit round necked shirt to be worn during the photoshoot with advocacy photographer, Mark Alvarez, and it also comes with a hair and makeup to complete the experience. A digital copy of the portrait will be sent electronically, fit for social media sharing and posting.

All these for only a donation of PhP1,000.00, which will support LoveYourself’s daily operations, programs, and projects by just offering your genuine self love.

Fit To Love is co-presented by The Upper Deck and CASxFACEONE. Our official apparel partner, Blued. Special thanks to Chubs Chasers, Ernest Gatpandan, and InRush Event Management.

For more details on LoveYourself’s services, individuals may visit the group’s official website at www.loveyourself.ph or follow and like its social media channels: Facebook- @loveyourself.ph, Twitter- @loveyourselfph, and Instagram- @loveyourself.ph.

Celebrity make-up artist Jigs Mayuga has long been an advocate of HIV awareness, especially that he is exposed to information about HIV and AIDS and that a relative of him is a person living with HIV. With his experiences, Mayuga thus shared, “If you have HIV, and as long as you are seeking medication, you’ll be okay.” This echoes Fit To Love’s message that HIV is not a death sentence, and that one can still have a positive outlook in life no matter what their sexual, mental and physical health may be.

Niccolo Cosme is a conceptual photographer by profession who photographed various celebrities, beauty queens and models, among others. Cosme is also the founder of the HIV awareness group The Red Whistle which banners the #SaveSexy campaign, an intensive and interactive movement that caters to general population in raising HIV awareness across the country.

Faustine Angeles Jr. was one of the ten (10) awardees of the pioneer Ripple Awards during the Love Gala, which honors outstanding HIV advocates who made a substantial contribution for the cause. Angeles is also the founder of the Pedal for HIV, which advocates for HIV awareness and testing, and healthy lifestyle through sports. Angeles said, “Fit to Love simply means that if we love ourselves, we must be fit and healthy.”