Dress for a cause

MANILA, Philippines - Forget what your father told you.

Buying a designer dress can help the world.

Photographer Niccolo Cosme, who spearheaded The Red Whistle Campaign, an initiative designed to raise awareness on the rising number of the HIV- and AIDs-infected in the community and disseminate information on safe sex, is hosting a silent auction on Aug. 31 at 7th High to raise money to support the campaign.

Design for a cause

More than 10 designers have heeded the photographer’s call to auction and have donated pieces, with funds raised going to programs for the project scheduled for mobilization each month until December.

Joey Samson, Frederick Peralta, Rajo Laurel, Nat Manilag, Francis Libiran, Tina Daniac, Eric delos Santos, John Paras, Mikee Andre along with Singapore-based X’s Jasler of Jail Jeans and Dubai-based Michael Cinco, Albert Andrada and Bandoix Flores Nebria are some of the creative talent offering one dress each, ranging from thigh-grazing cocktail numbers to full on gowns.

In the red

“The Red Whistle aims to empower and inspire people to come together and help each other in this battle against HIV and AIDs,” Niccolo states. “We hope to reach our objectives through online and social media efforts, visual arts and rebranding through the red whistle. We hope to engage individuals and groups to help sound the alarm in their respective communities that HIV is here and that it must be stopped.”

Cosme and co. hope to impart a message of empowerment through the symbolical red whistle. “Currently we have produced a thousand red whistles which are being given out to individuals and organizations and at the same time getting their pledges and their commitments in our battle against HIV and AIDs,” he reveals. “So far these whistles are becoming a trending item and are running out really fast.”

Niccolo produced a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TheRedWhistle) to help drum up attention for the cause. Designed to convey the frightening state of HIV in the country, the FB page is also there to connect with people interested in the project. “We are hoping to get more supporters not just in Manila but from all over the world,” Niccolo says. “It’s truly sad that most countries have a declining number of reported new cases while our country has an increasing number of HIV cases — possibly reaching a 500 percent increase during the present administration. Any sort of support is very much welcome.”

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The Red Whistle Auction will be held at 7th High, Bonifacio High Street on Aug. 31, 9 pm. Photos of the ambassadors and supporters of the campaign will also be unveiled.