Mandaluyong City, Philippines — The country’s premier World AIDS Day celebration, LoveYourself’s Love Gala, made a powerful return on November 8, 2025, at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club Pavilion, marking a new era for the advocacy event with a broader focus on youth empowerment and mental health.
With the theme “Unmasking Truths, Empowering Futures,” this year’s Love Gala evolved into a grant-giving platform supporting youth groups and grassroots organizations nationwide. Building on LoveYourself’s decade-long mission to promote sexual health and inclusion, the 2025 edition expands its reach to champion mental well-being, social justice, and youth-led initiatives driving positive change.
Empowering the Next Generation
Following the success of the Taguig Youth Center, LoveYourself announced the upcoming launch of a new Youth Center in Mandaluyong, in partnership with the City Council. The facility will serve as a safe and inclusive space for young people and people living with HIV (PLHIV)—offering mental health support, empowerment programs, and advocacy initiatives for marginalized communities.
Despite ongoing progress, challenges remain. Many youth groups still struggle with limited resources and access to safe spaces, while the stigma surrounding HIV and mental health continues to hinder nationwide advocacy.
From Recognition to Empowerment
This year’s #LoveGala2025 redefined its purpose—from an evening of recognition to a movement for empowerment. It continues to bring together advocates, artists, policymakers, and changemakers united by a shared goal: building a more inclusive, compassionate, and stigma-free Philippines.
At the heart of the event was the Ripple Awards, which honored individuals and organizations creating waves of change in their communities:
- 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, M.A., PCC and University of the Philippines Diliman Mental Health and Psychosocial Network (MHPSS)
Investing in Grassroots Change
The Gala also introduced the Spark Grant Recipients, a new initiative funding youth-led and community-based projects across the country. Each grantee will receive support to further their advocacy work within their local communities:
- 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
Partnerships for Impact
The Love Gala 2025 was co-presented by BDO, Philippine Airlines, Cream Silk Philippines, and Empath, with major sponsorship from Allied Hospital Supply International Corp. The event was also supported by L’Oréal Paris, Center for Advanced Dentistry, Belo Medical Group Philippines, SSI Group Inc., Metro Magazine, and Castro Communications.
As the night concluded, Love Gala 2025 stood as a testament to what’s possible when communities come together for love, inclusion, and empowerment—a celebration of compassion that continues to inspire a future where every Filipino can live with dignity, pride, and purpose.
