Pia Wurtzbach takes public HIV test, launches ‘PIA Project’ to raise awareness

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach on Tuesday affirmed her status as a queen with a heart and fulfilled her role as a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific.

Wurtzbach together with Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano took a public HIV test to show how easy it is and to encourage people to know their status as well.

The beauty queen first underwent a public screening for HIV in June 2016 at the Apicha Community Health Center in New York City, staying true to her word that she will use her influence to raise awareness about the infection.

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

The test started with a brief counseling session, followed by blood pricking. The samples were then processed and the participants were handed an envelope with the results.

The public HIV screening was done as part of the launch of the Love Gala, organized by several advocacy groups.

The Love Gala, to be held on World AIDS Day (December 1), will confer "Ripple Awards" to 10 individuals who are "driving change, inspiring hope and bringing healing to populations and communities affected by the HIV epidemic."

A fashion show featuring works by top Philippine designers Francis Libiran, Cary Santiago, Nat Manilag, Cheeta Rivera, and John Herrera plus other fundraising activities have also been scheduled.

The Love Gala is part of Wurtzbach's larger endeavor, the Project Progressive Information Awareness campaign, or the PIA Project.

PIA Project aims to spread facts about HIV, as well as Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) and sexual health in general.

“With the PIA Project we hope to see an increase in HIV awareness, spread love for people living with HIV, and make HIV testing among Filipinos a normal part of their health and wellness routine,”  Wurtzbach was quoted as saying at the event.

She added, “I believe we can strengthen our bonds and achieve our shared goal of ending AIDS in the Philippines, Asia-Pacific and the Universe.”

Aside from being an ambassador for Love Gala, Wurtzbach will also be promoting an information campaign on social media through #Live2LUV and the PIA Video series.

Wurtzbach will also be involved in a Multi-platform Service Delivery Referral System (Project PITCH), which aims to make healthcare services available to key members of the population.

She also hopes to influence policies to support these activities, especially information dissemination and greater access to healthcare services.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial in a briefing this August shared that “the Philippines has become the country with the fastest growing HIV epidemic in Asia and the Pacific, and has become one of 8 countries that account for more than 85% of new HIV infections in the region.”

Prevention through through testing, checkups, counseling, and especially the use of condoms is being promoted by the Department of Health to check this. — AT/LA/KVD, GMA News