Spread the love, not the virus

AIDS cases in the Philippines are increasing and as of January this year, 20 Filipinos every month are diagnosed as being Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive... and those are only reported cases.

The Victoria Court HIV Awareness Organization was created to be at the forefront in creating awareness regarding HIV across all social classes. The organization founded by Ian King, Chicho Suarez and Tisha Ang was launched at the newly renovated Embassy at The Fort which featured a photoexhibit by photographer Mark Nicdao and styled and conceptualized by Celine Gabriel, PR director of Fatally Femme Productions.

The exhibit displayed a wide cross section of people from business, media, fashion, arts, sports and social circles who united for the cause. The focal point of the night was the viewing of The Cause - a creative, informative short video directed by Jay Pou.

For the first time in this column, I shall not put photographs taken of the people during the event but the pictures of people exhibited during the event. It’s an interesting collection of black and white photos with a red wrist band as the only colored accent. Here are some of the photos from the exhibit.

(Check the website at www.stophiv.info)

Flights and freebies with SportsPlus

The new world of Mabuhay Miles’ SportsPlus program was launched recently at the National Sports Grill. Guests from the media, athletes and Philippine Airlines (PAL) executives headed by president and COO Jaime Bautista caught the first glimpse of the new SportsPlus look. The new card features a sportier design symbolic of an active and adventurous lifestyle.

PAL’s AVP for products Maria Barbara Aragon announced that SportsPlus has added over 50 partner establishments from specialty sport stores, bowling lanes, dive sites and golf courses. Members can now enjoy amazing discounts and privileges from any of the participating program partners.

AMF Bowling World Cup Champion and Athlete of the Year CJ Suarez, 2005 SEA Games gold medalist in golf Juvic Pagunsan, Australian International Championships gold medalist in badminton Kennie Asuncion and Philippine Badminton team member to the 13th World Championships Kennevic Asuncion were the athletes honored during the event. They were inducted to become SportsPlus’ elite circle of members.

SportsPlus is a Mabuhay Miles program feature that allows its members to carry an additional 20 kilos of sports equipment on Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines flights for cycling, bowling, golf, scuba diving, sport fishing, tennis and badminton.

(For more information, check www.mabuhaymiles.com)

Cyma: from Boracay to Manila

After the success of Cyma, a Greek restaurant created by partners Nino Teehankee Zulueta and Robby Goco, Cyma Greek Taverna has finally come to Manila. Cyma literally means to grow or to flourish.

Cyma Greek Taverna opened its doors with an all white party at the sixth floor of Shangri-La Plaza beside Edsa Shangri-La Hotel with partners Robby, Nino, Christine Singson Meehan, Tanya Olea, Miko Nubla and Gina Goco-Morales. Running around the restaurant and making sure every wine glass was full and plate filled with delicious treats were Robby and Nino who took extra care to make sure all guests felt at home.

Spotted in the crowd were Robby’s parents, former Solicitor General and Ambassador Raul Goco and mother Marietta Primicias Goco who were seen chatting with old friend Pilar Javier Teehankee, wife of the late Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee and grandmother of Nino. Also seen were Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson, Anthony Meehan, Owen Singson, Manna Goco, Jet Quirante, Dett Escudero, Edwin Maceda and Cyma Boracay partner Sunshine De Leon, Donnie Sacay of Waling Waling in Boracay, TV host Tricia Chiongbian, Raymond Rodrigo, Raffy Ocampo, Greenhills barangay captain Lorenzo Yam and Pinoy Big Brother stars Cassandra Ponti and Uma Khoumi.

Fab 5 coming to Manila

Ayala Malls once again treat mall goers to a fabulous surprise as they bring the complete cast of America’s hit TV show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

The Cast of the Emmy Award winning Queer Eye for the Straight Guy are Global L’Oreal spokesperson and beauty and health expert Kyan Douglas, one of House Beautiful’s Top 100 American Designers and House and Garden’s "Taste Maker" of 2006 and interior designer Thom Filicia, fashion guru and stylist, actor and best-selling author Carson Kressley, food and wine specialist and author of the new cookbook The Food You want to Eat:100 Smart, Simple Recipes Ted Allen and culture specialist and actor Jai Rodriguez.

The Meet-and-Greet with Fab 5 schedules are slated in Greenbelt on July 20 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Glorietta on July 21 at 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Alabang Town Center on July 22 at 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Catch the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy exclusively on ETC, every Mondays at 9 p.m.

(E-mail me at [email protected])