Hijacked by HZ_90? Ian Veneracion, Kim Atienza, Marc Nelson, Jackie Lou Blanco, and Julie Eigenmann reveal the truth

In a bizarre twist, the Instagram feeds of beloved celebrities Kim Atienza, Ian Veneracion, Marc Nelson, Jackie Lou Blanco, and Julie Eigenmann have been hit by a mysterious digital glitch! Just as fans scroll through their posts, the screen flickers—glitch—an unsettling “hZ_90” flashes across the screen. Was it a hack? Fans were left scrambling for answers.

Ian Veneracion speaks out

“Akala nila na-hack na ako!” Veteran actor Ian Veneracion finally breaks his silence. “Hindi po ako na-hack. I’m actually collaborating with fellow advocates on a campaign called hZ_90 to raise awareness about a serious disease called shingles.” Yes, you heard it right. This eerie campaign isn’t a hacking scandal but a clever ploy to shine a light on an often-overlooked health threat that lurks in millions of people’s bodies: shingles.

 

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A post shared by Ian Veneracion (@ianveneracion1)

The “hZ_90” digital campaign cleverly mimics how shingles, or herpes zoster, can strike without warning. Just as these glitchy posts disrupt the flow of the celebrities’ social media feeds, shingles can unexpectedly disrupt lives with excruciating blistering rashes.[1] Shingles is a painful viral infection caused by the same varicella-zoster virus (VZV) responsible for chickenpox.[2] Even after recovering from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body.[3] Shockingly, around 90 percent of individuals aged 50 and older harbor this dormant virus, which can reactivate later in life, leading to shingles.[4]

Strikes without a warning

Just like the sudden disruptions on your feed, shingles strikes without warning. It’s a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox.³ You might think you’re safe after recovering from chickenpox, but guess what? The virus lies dormant in your body and can reawaken when your immune system is weakened, which happens as people age.²

Shocking statistic: 90% of people aged 50 and older carry the inactivated VZV in their bodies.² That includes stars like Julie Eigenmann, who admitted, “I had chickenpox as a teen, which means I’m at risk of getting shingles.” While shingles isn’t as contagious as chickenpox, an individual with this condition can unknowingly transmit the VZV to anyone who hasn’t had the illness before, potentially resulting in them catching the notorious skin rash.²

Shingles Can Wreck Your Life

When shingles hits, it’s not just a rash. We’re talking about unbearable pain that feels like your skin is on fire—aching, burning, and sharp shooting pains that can last for weeks.[5] TV host Kim Atienza (a.k.a. Kuya Kim) warns, “Ang shingles po ay life-altering. It’s a serious condition leading to different types of discomfort such as itching, burning, intense pain, at iba pa tulad ng hearing problems, pagkabulag, at neurological complications.²”

 

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A post shared by Kuya Kim (@kuyakim_atienza)

Fitness advocate Marc Nelson recalls the agony his best friend suffered when shingles struck: “I remember one of my best friends got shingles a few years ago, and he was in so much pain and itchy discomfort for weeks. And he was one of the lucky ones, because for some people it lasts for months.”

Over 18 million Filipinos are at risk

Here’s the truth: over 18 million Filipinos aged 50 and above^[6] are at risk of shingles, with the highest number of cases occurring among those aged 50-59, who make up approximately 24 percent of all cases.^[7]

And it doesn’t stop there—of every 10 adults who contract shingles, one will go on to suffer from postherpetic neuralgia, a type of nerve pain that can linger long after the rash heals.^[8] The statistics are chilling, but the message is clear: shingles isn’t just a rash, it’s a life-disrupting disease.

Managing stress, eating a balanced diet, and staying active can significantly enhance your immune health, especially since shingles often emerges when the immune system is weakened.^[9] Additionally, getting vaccinated can greatly lower your chances of developing shingles and its severe complications.² Taking these preventive steps now could help you avoid the pain and discomfort of shingles in the future. Consult a doctor and ask if you are at risk of shingles.

For more information about shingles, visit whatisshingles.ph and stay informed. 

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