Walk For AIDS Silicon Valley: Help Join this Cause!

Our help is needed.
Hello friends and family! : )

2009 marks the 20th year of the Walk For AIDS Silicon Valley. During that time period over 3.5 million dollars has been raised for local HIV/AIDS programs and services. While this is quite a milestone, it does not mean that the need has gone away as there is still no cure for this tragic force.

On October 18th I will be participating in the Walk For AIDS as I am committed to supporting the vital HIV/AIDS work in our community. New infections are on the rise in Silicon Valley, while state and county funding has dwindled. The Silicon Valley AIDS Leadership Center, who produces the Walk, is being called on now more than ever to raise funds to support these programs.

Money raised through the Walk makes an impact in the following ways:
- Funding for HIV/AIDS support groups and case management services
- HIV prevention workshops for teens and outreach to high-risk street youth
- Free legal services for individuals who are HIV positive
- Rapid testing programs and counseling

You can help me meet my fundraising goal by making an online donation today.

Together, we can make a difference for our community! Thank you!

Love,
Maureen

P.S. Let me know if you are interesting in participating so you can join our team for the Silicon Valley Young Democrats! : )


Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Silicon Valley AIDS Leadership Center

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Maureen De Nieva

"I Believe in Equality" YouTube Coming Out Campaign and the National Equality March

I am excited to share with you that recently I had the opportunity to get connected and work on the efforts for the National Equality March that is happening in Washington, DC in the fall. The head organizer of this march is activist Cleve Jones.

Below is a description from the national website:
“On October 10-11, 2009, we will gather in Washington DC from all across America to let our elected leaders know that now is the time for full equal rights for LGBT people. We will gather. We will march. And we will leave energized and empowered to do the work that needs to be done in every community across the nation.”

Here are links to the videos I participated in for the National Equality March and Coming Out Campaign:

National Equality March
http://www.nationalequalitymarch.com/

"I Believe in Equality" Video:


Mo’s “I am Straight and I Believe in Equality” Video:


Lt. Dan Choi's Video Message:

YOU can make a video too, upload it to youtube, and be part of the movement for equality!

=)

"The Way" by Sean Chapin (LGBT Civil Rights Anthem)

Through my weight loss journey I have been able to do some awesome things to support my other passions. LGBT civil rights is definitely a passion. Although this song is about LGBT rights, I have been listening to this song to help remind me that I have a way to also fight for other things that are important to me, including my own weight loss. Please enjoy this video. : )

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Music Video to the LGBT civil rights anthem "The Way" about facing prejudicial adversity and responding with solidarity, courage and pride to fight back for equality.

In the music video, two people dream of two different life goals: getting married and serving in the military. When they both wake up, they realize that their dreams were only that, for one can not enter into a same-sex marriage in California, and one can not openly serve in the military as an LGBT person. They, and especially their straight allies who also stand up for equality, fight back by being out, being visible and being heard, with pride.

The music video features footage of the Candle Vigil Rally in City Hall in San Francisco on the day following the passage of Prop 8 in California, the Protest March in San Francisco that Friday of the same week, the Eve of Justice Rally and March in San Francisco, the Day of Decision Rally and March in San Francisco on the Day when the CA Supreme Court upheld Prop 8, and the Meet In The Middle 4 Equality Rally and March in Fresno, CA.

Sean Chapin: Song, Director, Actor
Steve Reddell: Associate Director, Actor
Dave Meregillano: Actor
Maureen de Nieva: Actress
Cecille Gumabon: Actress

Very special thanks to everyone who helped with this music video.

LYRICS;

I had a dream
It was so wonderful
You were with me
Holding my hand

I saw a ring
It was so beautiful
And then you smiled
Then I woke up

Tears flow down my face and I want to say

I will not go away
I am awake here today
I will stay I will act I will tell I will pray
And we will come together and show us the way

I had a dream
We were in camoflauge
I fired first
You had my back

We were a team
We were so thankful that
We had survived
Then I woke up

I salute the USA and I say

I will not go away
I am awake here today
I will stay I will act I will tell I will pray
And we will come together and show us the way

There is a light that shines on the way
There is a love that glows on the way
There is a life so bright on the way
There is a way.
We have a way.

I will not go away
I am awake here today
I will stay I will act I will tell I will pray
And we will come together and show us the way

I will not go away
I am awake here today
I will stay I will act I will tell I will pray
And we will come together and show us the way

An Update of Sorts

Hello friends and family,

Just wanted to give you all an update about our progress for Leilani and I recently...

First and foremost: Thanks for all the support regarding our quest to be on the NBC show The Biggest Loser, however we are asking politely to not ask us about our progress because we won't tell you. We don't want to jeopardize our chances, so thank you in advance for not asking. : )

Other updates:

Leilani joined Operation Boot Camp with me! Yay! 6am outdoor cardio is always the best. Please keep encouraging Leilani to attend! She recently was diagnosed with asthma, and we are monitoring her while she exercises, but we don't want it to prevent her from success!

Leilani hosted a fundraising scavenger hunt in downtown San Jose. She was able to raise almost $50 for her $85 registration for the San Jose Rock n' Roll 1/2 Marathon in October. I already paid for my registration, but Leilani wanted to fundraise! Please support her cause.

Plate to Plate Race 5K Run/Walk in San Francisco is the last Sunday in August. Leilani and I are participating! If you want more information please check out the website: http://platetoplate.org/. You would be supporting the non-profit Project Open Hand.

We have become icons at the gym with our pink and jeweled FFF Divas shirts ("Fierce, Fat, Filipinas" soon to be "Fierce, Fit, Filipinas"). People have been requesting shirt orders. It's really flattering. Pictures of the shirts soon to follow. They are great because they have our names on the back and have our goal weights. For example: Leilani 150 and Maureen 155. If you are interested feel free to ask us.

Until next blog,
Mo and Leilani ^_^

UPDATE: The Biggest Loser Audition Call Back

My sister Leilani and I did VERY well with our Biggest Loser show call back audition. Unfortunately that is all I can share back.

We want to thank all of our friends and family who wrote letters of support. We collected more than 30 letters and emails from our loved ones! Made a world of difference bringing in a stack of physical and visual support!!!

However, we are not letting The Biggest Loser show be our end all be all solution to weight loss. For example, earlier this week I ran and did core exercises in my 6AM cardio boot camp. And on another day this week I ran 4 miles during boot camp at Hellyer Park in 46 minutes with the support and encouragement of my fellow campers and staff at Operation Boot Camp. Previous record: 3 miles in 45 minutes. I averaged a 9 minute 30 second run today. This marks one step closer to my 1/2 marathon! Need to still run my 3 miles today to prepare for the 1/2 marathon in fall.

Leilani and I are motivated to lose weight even without the show and have taken strides to do so already (i.e. run 1/2 marathon in Fall), however we feel if we were on NBC's show "The Biggest Loser" we would have that extra kick in the bottom to STOP making excuses and make our health a priority above anything else. With or without the show you will see a positive change.

With all the love in the world,
Maureen and Leilani De Nieva : )