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AVES celebrates 1st anniversary of “I Am Fearless” campaign
written by Patrick Bonales
In the advocacy of HIV and AIDS, being “FEARLESS” goes a long way towards achieving your goals. This word inspired AVES Community Based Organization Inc. to launch their awareness campaign photoshoot “I Am Fearless”. The campaign started in September 2019 and since then it has featured prominent personalities such as Quezon City Rep. Kit Belmonte, Samira Gutoc, James Deakin, and Dr. Vivian Sarabia in raising HIV awareness.
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“Although the organization has been around for more than three years, this project greatly impacted the organization and the community,” AVES Executive Director- Joseph R. Cua said.
The organization utilized its social media platforms to post the portraits. These portraits have reached out to different demographics who needed more information about HIV and about the importance of getting tested. On September 12, 2020 AVES celebrated the campaign’s anniversary through “I Am Fearless: The Reunion,” an online event live streamed on Facebook where advocates and personalities who joined in the campaign shared their insights and experiences as ambassadors.
“It was a turning point for us to be fearless and in empowering people and make the best out of it. This 1st year milestone gave us the opportunity to meet new people and share moments together,” Cua recalled.
“I am honored and proud to be with people with the same fire inside of them, but most importantly with the same goals for the community,” he further expressed.
During the event, Zena Bernardo Bernardo, a mental health advocate discussed the importance of taking care of oneself during the pandemic. Vice President Leni Robredo, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and Macoy Dubs also shared their messages of support for the first anniversary of the campaign.
AVES Community Based Organization Inc. is a SEC registered non-profit organization that focuses on HIV awareness and prevention. It is founded on the principles of awareness, volunteerism and equality. To know more about AVES and their advocacy, follow them on Facebook: @AVESCommunityBasedOrganization and on Twitter: @AvesCbo.
