True to her word, Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach gets tested for HIV

She's a woman of her word: Six months after she promised to raise awareness on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and help shed the stigma of HIV testing, Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach went to the Apicha Community Health Center (Apicha CHC) in New York City and got tested.

.@MissUniverse stopped by Apicha CHC today to get HIV tested #knowyourstatus #endaids2020 #gettested pic.twitter.com/DH1FDgPi7F

— APICHA Health (@APICHAHealth) June 20, 2016

Wurtzbach's choice of clinic is important as well. The Apicha CHC prides itself in welcoming "underserved or ‘otherized’ people" living in New York.

During her visit to Manila for the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 Coronation Night, Wurtzbach held a press conference at Novotel where she told the press that she's doing her research about HIV/AIDS and assured the public that she's taking it seriously.

In an interview with advocacy group amfAR when she returned to New York, she said that she wants to use the attention she has received as Miss Universe to direct people towards important issues, such as battling the rise of HIV/AIDS cases by breaking down taboos and urging the government to be more vigilant about human traffic and rampant drug use.

In addition to using her voice on social media, Wurtzbach also met with Michel Sidibé, executive director of UNAIDS and under secretary general to the United Nations, whom she said was open to discussing further plans to help the Philippines.

 

Such an honor to meet Michel Sidibé. Executive director of UNAIDS and under secretary general to the United Nations. What's even more humbling is that he congratulated me and was open to discuss further plans to help the Philippines. Unfortunately, Philippines has one of the fastest, if not the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the world. And the age bracket? Mostly 15 to 24 years old. And we've increased by 25‰ in the last decade. But there's still hope! 1st step is to get tested. And of course to educate yourself and others. There is no shame in being involved. Remember, Ignorance is also an epidemic. #UNAIDS #UnitedNations

A photo posted by Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (@piawurtzbach) on

Jun 14, 2016 at 5:03pm PDT

— Aya Tantiangco/BM, GMA News