Philstar.com
November 19, 2025 | 1:00pm
MANILA, Philippines — The country’s premier World AIDS Day event, LoveYourself’s Love Gala, returned last November 8 with a renewed purpose and bold new direction at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club Pavilion in Mandaluyong City.
Anchored on the theme “Unmasking Truths, Empowering Futures,” this year’s Gala evolves into a grant-giving platform dedicated to supporting youth groups and expanding grassroots initiatives nationwide.
As a long-time champion of sexual health, LoveYourself broadens its mission to include youth empowerment, mental health and youth-led projects that uphold its core values of empowerment and inclusion. Led by the organization’s advocacy for holistic well-being, the Love Gala continues to bring together advocates, artists, key opinion leaders, policymakers and changemakers who share one vision: to build a more inclusive, compassionate and stigma-free Philippines.
Following the success of the Taguig Youth Center, this year’s Gala will also mark the launch of a new Youth Center in partnership with the City of Mandaluyong. The center, donated by the city council, will serve as a safe and inclusive space designed to support young people and people living with HIV (PLHIV), while promoting mental well-being, social inclusion and justice for marginalized communities. Despite these milestones, challenges persist.
Many youth groups and grassroots communities still lack access to resources, safe spaces, and opportunities to sustain their advocacy efforts. The stigma surrounding HIV continues to hinder progress, while mental health support and inclusive spaces remain limited, especially for those with the potential to drive real change.
Miss Universe 2025, LoveYourself Foundation Ambassadress and Love Gala 2025 Chairperson, Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey
This year, #LoveGala2025 transforms from a night of recognition into a movement for empowerment. It continues to take decisive steps in fostering youth leadership, advancing mental health awareness, strengthening communities and inspiring a new generation of advocates to take action. This marks a pivotal moment for youth empowerment, social inclusion, and holistic well-being where it channels collective power to create safe spaces, fund youth initiatives, and ignite meaningful change across the nation.
At the heart of the evening was the Ripple Awards, honoring individuals and organizations whose work continues to create waves of change in their communities. The honorees for 2025 are:
- Ripple of Excellence for HIV – Dr. Natasha Mae Benitez and Mother Candide Center – St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo Inc.
- Ripple of Inclusivity for Gender Diversity – Yanyan Araña and Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP)
- Ripple of Inspiration for Youth Empowerment – Maria Nessie Sobina Yu and Youth for Reproductive Health Awareness – Misamis Oriental
- Ripple of Resilience for Mental Health – Myke Celis, PCC and University of the Philippines Diliman Mental Health and Psychosocial Network (MHPSS)
(From left) Lester John Dela Cruz, Lady Carmel Litang, Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey, Doc Vinn Pagtakhan, Noel Gabriel Alaurin, Jan Michael Alayon and Love Yourself’s head of external partnerships Calvin June Sintoy
In addition, the Gala unveiled this year’s Spark Grant Recipients, an initiative designed to fund youth-led and community-based projects across the country. Each grantee will receive support to further their advocacy and impact within their respective regions:
- Luzon: Eskwela Para sa Agta by Lester John Dela Cruz
- Visayas: Project SIGRAB: Empowering Out-of-School Youth through Education and Entrepreneurship by Jan Michael Alayon
- Mindanao: SEAGuardians: Siargao’s Turtles Awareness by Lady Carmel Litang
- NCR: Mental Health Learning & Guidance (MHLG) Toolkit by Noel Gabriel Alaurin
Co-presented by BDO, Philippine Airlines, Cream Silk Philippines and Empath.
Made possible by our generous Major Sponsor, Allied Hospital Supply International Corp; Also brought to life with the support of L’Oréal Paris, Center for Advanced Dentistry, Belo Medical Group Philippines, SSI Group Inc., Metro Magazine and Castro Communications.
This year’s Gala embodies what’s possible when communities come together for love, inclusion, and empowerment: a future where every Filipino can live with dignity, pride and purpose.
Editor’s Note: This press release from Love Yourself is published by the Advertising Content Team that is independent from our Editorial Newsroom.