Orgs bring TB awareness campaign to cinemas

In commemoration of the upcoming World Tuberculosis Day, Sinehan Advocacy Media Projects Inc. (SAMPI), the Department of Health (DOH) National TB Program and National Center for Health Promotion, and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, recently held the regular cinema screening of “FLYING KISS.” This movie was shown at SM Megamall, SM City North Edsa, and SM Manila from March 19 to 25, 2014.

Starring Carl Guevarra, Wynwyn Marquez, Fabio Ide, Ma. Isabel Lopez, Maey Bautista, Ate Gay Morales, Gio Medina, Andrea Tatad, Cheska Carillon, and Ralph dela Paz, written and directed by Crisaldo V. Pablo, “FLYING KISS” tells the story of a young woman who was about to achieve her dreams, until everything was put into a halt when she was diagnosed of tuberculosis.

Part of the proceeds went to the TB Task Forces, groups of anti-TB advocates who roam the streets of Metro Manila to educate communities about TB, look for patients, and convince them to avail of the needed interventions. The TB Task Forces also monitor TB patients who stay at home and help ensure that these patients follow the needed daily medications for six months so that they can fully recover.

This advocacy film was produced to boost the public awareness campaign of the DOH that seek to inform the public on how TB can be prevented and cured, as well as lessen the stigma that is accorded to those who have acquired the disease.

This campaign was joined in by companies such as Hewlett-Packard Philippines, Yamaha Motors Philippines, Western Digital, Monteverde Sewing Machines (the official Philippine distributor of Singer Sewing Machines), Asian College, Yadu Bags, Nyogi, Quezon City TB Task Force Association, Mandaluyong TB Task Force Federation, Makati TB Task Force Federation, Las Pinas TB Task Force, and Pasay TB Task Force.