Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey continues to champion HIV awareness and prevention, encouraging young Filipinos to get tested and seek treatment as the number of HIV cases in the country—especially among the youth—continues to rise.
In a collaborative meeting held on June 4, 2025, Wurtzbach joined officials from LoveYourself, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the local government of San Pedro, Laguna to discuss HIV-related initiatives tailored specifically for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
According to LoveYourself’s official post, the dialogue explored “developing targeted interventions that address the unique needs of OFWs in the context of the rising number of HIV cases nationwide,” and also opened up discussions on mental health awareness and women empowerment.
Present during the meeting were OWWA Administrator Atty. PY Caunan, San Pedro Vice Mayor Hon. Niña Almoro, LoveYourself Founder and Executive Director Dr. Ronivin G. Pagtakhan, and ambassador Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey.
“LoveYourself looks forward to this meaningful partnership with OWWA, especially at this time wherein heightened awareness and stronger collaborative action are urgently needed for the community,” the group said in a statement.
Wurtzbach, who made HIV awareness her main advocacy during her Miss Universe reign a decade ago, remains vocal about the issue today.
“Totoo na tumataas ang cases ng HIV ngayon lalo na sa mga kabataan. Nakakabahala, oo. Totoo ang balita. Pero hindi lang `yan ang totoong kuwento,” Pia shared, acknowledging the alarming rise while emphasizing hope and action.
She urged Filipinos, especially the youth, to get tested and access treatment: “Kaya naman hinikayat ni Pia ang lahat na magpa-check up, o magpa-HIV test, at magpagamot. Magpunta lang sa pinakamalapit na LoveYourself hub, o mag-reach out online, tulad ng Embrace Virtual Hub.”
To promote a stigma-free community, Pia issued a social media challenge: “Kung gusto mong maging bahagi ng isang stigma-free community, I challenge you to create your own version of this video, i-tag kami at ang LoveYourself across social media platforms.”
She ended her call to action with a powerful reminder: “Let’s not let fear win. Let’s respond with love, knowledge and action.”
For more information on HIV testing and support, visit LoveYourself.ph.
