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Love Gala 2025 Champions Youth Leadership, Mental Health, and the Fight Against HIV

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Love Gala 2025 Champions Youth Leadership, Mental Health, and the Fight Against HIV 

<div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763455338734LOVE GALA -570.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">(From left) Lester John Dela Cruz, Lady Carmel Litang, Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey, Doc Vinn Pagtakhan, Noel Gabriel Alaurin, Jan Michael Alayon, and Calvin June Sintoy, LY’s Head of External Partnerships</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The country’s premier<strong> World AIDS Day</strong> event, <strong>LoveYourself’s Love Gala</strong>, returned last  November 8, 2025, with a renewed purpose and bold new direction at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club Pavilion in Mandaluyong City. </p><p>Anchored on the theme “<strong>Unmasking Truths, Empowering Futures</strong>,” this year’s Gala evolved 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.</p><p>Following the success of the Taguig Youth Center, this year’s Gala also marked 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. </p><p>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.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763455800222LOVE GALA -339.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Dr. Ronivin (Vinn) Pagtakhan, LoveYourself’s Executive Director</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763455580144LOVE GALA -46.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Miss Universe 2025, LoveYourself Foundation Ambassadress and Love Gala 2025 Chairperson, Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763455530463LOVE GALA -720.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>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.</p><p>At the heart of the evening was the <strong>Ripple Awards</strong>, honoring individuals and organizations whose work continues to create waves of change in their communities. The honorees for 2025 are:</p><p><strong>Ripple of Excellence for HIV</strong>: Dr. Natasha Mae Benitez and Mother Candide Center – St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo, Inc.</p><p><strong>Ripple of Inclusivity for Gender Diversity:</strong> Yanyan Araña and Philippine Financial &amp; Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP)</p><p><strong>Ripple of Inspiration for Youth Empowerment:</strong> Maria Nessie Sobina Yu and Youth for Reproductive Health Awareness - Misamis Oriental</p><p><strong>Ripple of Resilience for Mental Health:</strong> Myke Celis, M.A., PCC and University of the Philippines Diliman Mental Health and Psychosocial Network (MHPSS)</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763456815877581041961_18542714998049181_533251278009131756_n.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">Ripple of Excellence for HIV awardee, Mother Candide Center – St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo, Inc.<br/><br/></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763455888542IMG_7246.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Ripple of Inclusivity for Gender Diversity awardee, Yanyan Araña</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763456638295580886171_18542715055049181_919782600813653641_n.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Ripple of Inclusivity for Gender Diversity awardee, Philippine Financial &amp; Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763456556618580993440_18542715073049181_8946825016645829635_n.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Ripple of Inspiration for Youth Empowerment: Maria Nessie Sobina Yu </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763457143463581796243_18542715016049181_8454280070444763338_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Ripple of Resilience for Mental Health awardee, Myke Celis, M.A., PCC</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763456481238583049665_18542715025049181_6318739045742537209_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">Ripple of Resilience for Mental Health awardee, University of the Philippines Diliman Mental Health and Psychosocial Network (MHPSS)<br/><br/></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763457400437581108093_18542715082049181_1593679929056938399_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Metro and Belo Medical Group award Ripple of Inspiration for Youth Empowerment Ripple of Resilience for Mental Health</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763457570835IMG_20251118_165342_793.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Metro Editor-in -Chief Geolette Esguerra and Love Gala&#x27;s Pia Wurtzbach </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p>In addition, the Gala unveiled this year’s<strong> Spark Grant Recipients</strong>, 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:</p><p><strong>Luzon:</strong> Eskwela Para sa Agta by Lester John Dela Cruz</p><p><strong>Visayas: </strong>Project SIGRAB: Empowering Out-of-School Youth through Education and Entrepreneurship by Jan Michael Alayon</p><p><strong>Mindanao:</strong> SEAGuardians: Siargao’s Turtles Awareness by Lady Carmel Litang</p><p><strong>NCR: </strong>Mental Health Learning &amp; Guidance (MHLG) Toolkit by Noel Gabriel Alaurin</p><div><br/></div><p>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.</p><div><br/></div><p>Photos courtesy of <strong>Love Gala </strong></p>

<p>At the heart of the Love Gala was the Ripple Awards, honoring individuals and organizations whose work continues to create waves of change in their communities, as well as the Spark Grant, in which a grantee will receive support to further their advocacy and impact within their respective regions</p>

At the heart of the Love Gala was the Ripple Awards, honoring individuals and organizations whose work continues to create waves of change in their communities, as well as the Spark Grant, in which a grantee will receive support to further their advocacy and impact within their respective regions

Love Gala 2025: Here Are the Ripple Awards and Spark Grant Recipients

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Love Gala 2025: Here Are the Ripple Awards and Spark Grant Recipients

Grace Libero

Published November 18, 2025 05:00 PM PHT

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Updated November 18, 2025 05:29 PM PHT

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