
CEBU, Philippines — The advocacy work hasn’t ceased for Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, who will once again parlay her celebrity for a good cause.
This time, the beauty queen who ended the Philippines’ long drought for a Miss Universe crown will be in Cebu City on July 6 to grace LoveYourself’s “ETUF: A Premier Fashion Auction for the HIV & AIDS Advocacy” fundraising event to be held 6-11 p.m. at The Event Space in Panagdait, Mabolo.
Co-presented by the Event Space, the affair will feature prominent Cebuano fashion designers, stylists, models and brand ambassadors such as Queen Universe 2011 Bee Urgello, Karencitta, DeeDee Villegas and Alem Garcia.
According to LoveYourself Cebu Communications Head Ralph Tamayo, Pia – an HIV and AIDS awareness advocate – is set to open the event and walk the runway in a Harley Ruedas creation.
Reigning Miss Universe Catriona Gray, a LoveYourself ambassador like Pia, was also invited to the event but won’t be able to make it due to her schedule. Tamayo told The FREEMAN that “there’s a promise” for Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados of Talisay City to also make an appearance but that it is not yet final.
“The audience should expect a glamorous showcase of fashion made out of heart, advocacy and Cebuano spirit,” said Tamayo.
The event’s title, “ETUF,” is from the gay lingo that means white, a nod to LoveYourself Cebu’s White House community center which soft-opened in April. LoveYourself is a community organization that provides a safe space for individuals possibly infected with HIV and AIDS to get screened, counselled and educated.
“It is doing great. Many are slowly recognizing and visiting the community center,” said Tamayo as he cited that Central Visayas has one of the highest incidence of HIV, ranking fourth in the Philippines to date. He said 92 percent of the 5,835 diagnosed are from Cebu province.
Tickets to “ETUF: A Premier Fashion Auction for the HIV & AIDS Advocacy” can be availed via bit.ly/LoveYourselfETUF or download the Ticket2Me app on Apple Store or Google Play. You can also visit LoveYourself White House at 40 J. Llorente St., Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City or contact them at 09278737575. – VAB
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