Rock safely
MANILA, Philippines - Frenzy Condom and Magic 89.9 recently teamed up for a free concert to celebrate World AIDS Day. The event, titled “I Am Safe — A Musical Frenzy Tribute to World AIDS Day 2009,” was held at the Blue Wave open parking venue along Macapagal Avenue.
“There’s low awareness that AIDS cases continue to increase here and worldwide. We need to build that awareness, to translate it into practicing safe sex, especially for young people. They are a big segment and they are vulnerable. Frenzy is about being handy, ready, safe — always,” said Jojo Ampeloquio, product management head of DKT Philippines, importer and marketer of Frenzy Condoms in the country.
Emman Alfonso, product manager of Frenzy Condom, noted that AIDS incidence in the country is “hidden and growing,” according to health authorities. “We want young audiences to be entertained and to listen to the message: Safe sex is cool,” he said.
Magic 89.9’s program director and DJ Alexander “Maxspeed” Gotinga said people are more scared of the H1N1 virus, even if AIDS is a long-term, global pandemic.
“Think of the 25 million who have already died of AIDS and the 33.2 million who have HIV/AIDS worldwide,” he said, “Some people get the impression that AIDS is now a thing of the past because of medical advances. That’s not true. AIDS poses a real danger and people must know that.”
The bands that performed that night included Hale, Imago, Rivermaya, True Faith, Pedicab, Kwjan, Moonstar 88, Franco, Sinosikat, Silent Sancturay, Delara, Chicosci, Stonefree, Paraluman, Concrete Sam, Duster, Ernville, Aurora, Wandering Dew and Gish. The event was hosted by the jocks of Magic 89.9.
During the event Frenzy treated concertgoers to its giveaways: free samples and World AIDS Day dog tag. There was a henna tattoo parlor, as well as an Airsoft booth for shooting. An all-expense paid trip to Boracay was raffled off.
As 20 year-old Samantha Sison in the audience put it, “To promote awareness about AIDS and the importance of protection for young people who are sexually active, that’s a good thing.”
“I Am Safe — A Musical Frenzy Tribute to World AIDS Day 2009” was organized by Zero-In Concept & Production.
