Feeling hat, haute, hot!

We’re always told, we read about it, we see it all the time and yet, we always forget that today and every 1st of December is World AIDS Day. Like a lot of ugly truths, the presence of AIDS particularly in this country seems best kept under the veil of ignorance as if the saying “what you don’t know can’t hurt you” applies. We really should be clear on this so there’s confusion whatsoever: this virus kills and it doesn’t kill kindly.       

So what if there are millions and millions of people living with AIDS as we speak? As long as you’re not part of that demographic or for the obtuse ones — so long as you’re not gay, you’re safe. Maybe. Perhaps we’ll be lucky enough to be free of it in this lifetime, but maybe a friend won’t be so lucky; or a relative, or a family member. Diseases never ever choose their prey. You can be Asian, Caucasian, male, female, straight, gay, filthy-rich or dirt-poor, it doesn’t matter. We are all the same.

Getting educated on AIDS is key to prevention. These days, you don’t have to go anywhere to acquire information. With a click of a button, everything becomes available. However, the irony of it all is that the people, who suffer from this virus and the ones in immediate danger of catching it, are the very same individuals who don’t have the privilege of easily accessing that knowledge that will enable them. The responsibility must then be shared don’t you agree, and that it would fall in our hands can’t be morally questioned.

We can help, of course. Let’s start by spreading awareness.

Today at 4pm at the Glorietta 3 in front of the MAC Cosmetic Boutique, an important collaboration will unfold: Mich Dulce — the young, super talented fashion designer now in her latest endeavor of crafting the most unique and beautiful hats, the very creative tandem of Ryan Vergara and Garovs Garovillo behind Every Where We Shoot! and MAC Cosmetics’ MAC AIDS FUND will reveal their latest initiative for promoting AIDS awareness: “Put a Hat On It” is an allegorical celebrity photo exhibit/mad hatters tea party that will present empowered women from different fields wearing each, a distinct hat and lips rouged with MAC Viva Glam lipsticks — the product that was made specifically for this cause. One hundred percent of the sales from this line go to the MAC AIDS Fund that in turn facilitates the distribution of finances geared towards full global support to all those affected by AIDS.

Faces you will see at the exhibit are those of Ruffa Gutierrez, Gretchen Barretto, Anne Curtis, Celine Lopez, Cynthia Alexander, Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Gilda Cordero-Fernando, Lala Sotto, Myrene Academia, Rissa Samson, Rufa Mae Quinto and Tessa Prieto-Valdes. All these big names from politics to music to media have voluntarily given their time, talents and efforts without anything in return. These ladies of separate and diverse backgrounds represent the anonymity of us all when it comes to battling AIDS. It is truly a worthy cause and there’s certainly no reason why we can’t lend a hand.    

Pictures of these personalities wearing hats allude to wearing a condom in sexual intercourse. Sex Ed 101 states that condoms not only protect you from unwanted pregnancy but it is literally the guard that keeps sexually transmitted diseases from infecting you. Bear that in mind, even and most especially in the heat of passion. Wear a hat!

So what if there are millions and millions of people living, or maybe the sadder but more honest term is dying of AIDS as we speak? Take heart and strength in the complete understanding that you and I, of no great influence or wealth or fame can instigate change by starting within ourselves. Tell the next person what you know, do some volunteer work or maybe leave a kiss-mark on the planet by buying that red lipstick.

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Visit www.michdulce.com (0917-8951743) and www.everywhere weshoot.com