US solon, California official, Gab Valenciano team up against hep B

SAN FRANCISCO - A US congressman, a state official and Filipino super star Gabriel Valenciano will film a public service announcement at AT&T Park for a concerted drive against hepatitis B.

  ·  Philippine Daily Inquirer   ·  Link to Article

SAN FRANCISCO – A US congressman, a state official and Filipino super star Gabriel Valenciano will film a public service announcement at AT&T Park for a concerted drive against hepatitis B.

The PSA featuring Rep. Mike Honda (Dem.-California), Fiona Ma of the State Board of Equalization (District 12) and Valenciano, will be shown during the May 28Chinese Heritage Night SF Giants game starting at 7:15 p.m.

San Francisco Hep B Free is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between city government, healthcare organizations, community groups and the business community to make San Francisco the first city in the nation to be hepatitis B free and serve as a model for national and global efforts to eliminate hepatitis B and preventable liver cancer.

Rep. Honda, District 17, has championed hepatitis B and liver cancer prevention efforts for nearly a decade, serving as a co-chair to the Congressional Hepatitis Caucus and leading various efforts on hepatitis-related bills, including the Viral Hepatitis Testing Act.

California Board of Equalization Member Fiona Ma will join Valencia in the PSA.

State Board of Equalization Member Fiona Ma has served as honorary spokesperson for SF Hep B Free and has been involved with the organization since its inception in 2007. “As a someone who did not know that they were infected with hep B because it was passed on to me at birth, it is imperative that people educate themselves and their loved ones on how to diagnose and treat this disease,” said Ma.

“A routine blood exam could be the difference between life and death, so don’t delay.” As an Assemblywoman, Ma pursued various efforts to raise awareness of hepatitis B through Assembly bills and a resolution declaring May 2009 as Hepatitis Awareness Month and May 19 as World Hepatitis Awareness Day.

US Rep. Mike Honda will also be in the PSA.

Filipino entertainer Gabriel Valenciano, also known as Gab, is a dancer, author, musician, host, percussionist, drummer, choreographer and commercial model, who is well known for his “Super Selfie” videos.

Gabriel’s Super Selfie videos served as inspiration to Beyoncé for her 2014, “7-11” video. Gabriel has also served as a champion to the Asian and Pacific Islander community and has been civically engaged with his Hand of Power, Rock The Vote PSA for the 2014 election.