‘Keep Calm & Stache On!’

MANILA, Philippines - According to the Department of Health, prostate cancer is now ranked as the fourth most common cancer among Filipino males. 

Meanwhile, the American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association recommend that men over 40 years undergo periodic testing for the early detection of prostate cancer as early detection will prevent future disease progression.

To raise funds for prostate cancer awareness and treatment, a moustache-growing charity event called “Movember” is held every November. Participants known as “Mo Bros” register with a clean-shaven face and have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their Mo, raising money in the process.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words, they  raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often-ignored issue of men’s health.

At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partés held around the world for Movember.

Since its beginnings in Melbourne, Australia, Movember has grown to become a truly global movement inspiring more than 1.1 million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas to participate, with formal campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, the UK, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and Ireland. Big steps have been taken towards changing attitudes and habits relating to men’s health around the world. Via the moustache, Movember aims to fulfill its vision of having an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health, by continuing to spark conversation and spread awareness of men’s health each year.

In the Philippines, MovemberPI started in 2010 and joined the world in following the same rules and goals of Movember. The charity event aims to do the same thing for the Philippines and the Filipino men. On its first year, MovemberPI managed to raise P30,000 for cancer awareness in Subic and Olongapo.

In 2011, the MovemberPI charity event had twice as many participants and sponsors, which raised double the amount of what the event earned the previous year.

Recently, the group celebrated at M Café in Greenbelt 4 in Makati City to raise awareness for both prostate cancer and the movement. Guests were entertained throughout the night with great music by performers who played for free. All proceeds from the event’s special drinks and “Stay Calm and Stache On” T-shirt sales will go to cancer charities.

The movement has collaborated with Subic Olongapo Cancer Foundation Inc. (SOCFI) and plans to partner up with as many cancer societies in the country.

With Filipinos becoming aware of the campaign and what it aims to achieve, the movement hopes that every year will be bigger than the last.

(For more information, visit www.movemberpi.org or www.facebook.com/MovemberPI.)