When Miss Universe 2009, Stefanía Fernandez speaks, people listen. And that’s exactly what the Latino Commission on AIDS was hoping for today when they invited la bella Venezolana to speak at a press conference esta mañana en Nueva York to commemorate World AIDS Day.

Miss Universe showed her own commitment to fighting the disease by taking the HIV test in front of the cameras, adding:

"It is important to me personally and the Miss Universe Organization to show our commitment and solidarity with those impacted by HIV/AIDS."

Este evento comes at un buen momento, as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows that Latinos are affected by AIDS more than any other racial or ethnic group, with 42% being diagnosed with AIDS within 12 months after learning of their positive HIV status compared to 34% late diagnosis among white non Hispanic and 35% among blacks.

What's one way we can fight la epidemia del HIV/AIDS?  Edúcate!  One of the main objectives of the Latino Commission on AIDS has been to help educate families on this dreadful illness.  Como una reina de belleza, Stefanía Fernandez has committed to fighting HIV/AIDS in the name of all the young Latinas en el mundo.

"Parents and their children need to speak open and honestly about HIV/AIDS and help breakdown the stigma that lies with it today... Young girls need to love themselves and take control of their bodies. It’s their lives and I want to make sure they understand that no matter what their status is, they can go on to lead a long and healthy life."

World AIDS Day is a day of hope, solidarity and commitment in recognition of the tremendous challenges of this worldwide pandemic.  Let's unite today to recommit ourselves to promoting prevention and education related to HIV/AIDS en nuestras comunidades!  For more information on protecting yourself from sexually transmitted diseases and getting tested, check out www.GYT09.com.

Photos via Latino Commission on AIDS

No mi gente... Carlos Santos wasn't back in the classroom. But he was taking un examen muy importante. For the second time in less than a year, Carlos was tested for the HIV/AIDS virus. He took part in a kick-off event in New York City sponsored by the Latino Commission on AIDS to commemorate National Latino AIDS Awareness Day which is held on October 15th.

We asked Carlos why he felt it was so important to be tested for HIV/AIDS.

"Getting tested is quick, easy and more importantly, saves lives."

Oh and did we forget to mention that Carlos was not alone when he was tested? Mariela Lucas, Miss Dominican Republic U.S. 2008, also showed her support by getting tested as well. Ms. Lucas told the audience that she feels its even more important for young Latinas to empower themselves by getting tested and taking care of and control of their own bodies.

"It’s unfortunate that Latinos are a 28% of those are known to be living with HIV/AIDS. I hope and need to wake up young girls with certain responsibilities such as protection, getting tested and spreading the word."

For more information on getting tested and educating yourself on sexually transmitted diseases, check out www.GYT09.org.

Not only did watching Pedro's life story last night make us cry our eyes out...

It also reminded us of the importance of taking responsibility for our sexual health.  Keeping on top of sexual safety is easier than ever with the beginning of www.gyt09.org, a new site from MTV that launched on the heels of the Pedro premiere.

You might have seen the quirky promo spots during Pedro featuring Santigold, Soulja Boy, Big Boi, Kid Sista, Perez Hilton and Flo Rida lending support to the Get Yourself Tested site. You can catch these promos otra vez on www.gyt09.org, a sexual health portal offering resources on everything from how to talk about STDs to getting tested.  You can also enter for a chance to win a trip for two to attend the MTV Movie Awards from the GYT site.

According to NCLR, researchers estimate that Hispanics have the second-highest rate of HIV infection in the U.S. In 2006, Hispanics’ rate of HIV infection was three times (29.3 per 100,000 people) the rate of non-Hispanic Whites. With that being said, awareness is important now more than ever. And it's so easy! Enter your zip code on the GYT site to find a testing center near you.

If you don't want to hear us lecture, you can always watch our resident VJ Carlos Santos show you the ropes on getting tested below:

That wasn't so bad was it? Now it's your turn!

Need info en español? No hay problema. MTV Tr3s and GYT are offering you exclusive Spanish language content in our Pedro discussion guide to help navigate viewers through Pedro's story and the maze of sexual health hotlines and websites.

Missed la película del año last night? Watch Pedro the movie on MTVTr3s.com in full, right here.

Wondering what people are saying about Pedro?

At the uber-emotional Pedro screening event held in mid March at Florida International University the reaction was unanimous: Cryfest 2009.  Among the tear-filled viewers and forum panelists was Calle 13's Residente:

The movie tells us to value life.  I think by telling Pedro's story, many young people will learn the importance of being conscious about this disease that still doesn't have a cure.

Last week we shared with you una entrevista exclusiva with the 'Electromovimiento' rapper.  Esta semana we're rolling tape on Rene's reactions from the Florida International University forum.  See what the pro-social rapper had to say about the event aquí:

Pedro airs on MTV Tr3s April 1st at 8pm. Until then stay tuned for more exclusive sneak peeks and exclusive entrevistas on MTV Tr3s Blogamole.

Get schooled on vintage Real World.  Read up on the Season III cast, including Pedro, and browse photos on the Real World Season III: San Francisco official page.  Starting tomorrow, we'll be sharing memorable video clips from Season III, videos that show why Pedro and his San Fran crew are some of the most memorable RW cast mates to date.

We're all hooked on the reality drama of Real World Brooklyn...

When it comes to off-the-wall characters and controversial personalities, the Real World has got you totally unfazed.  However, stereotypes weren't always so easy to crack.  This year MTV is honoring one of its most memorable and inspiring housemates by releasing Pedro, a film about the late Pedro Zamora, the openly gay, and HIV-positive Latino cast member introduced in the Real World San Francisco.

You might be too joven to remember the everlasting feud between Puck and Pedro, but to ol' skool Real World fans, el Cubano inspired social change and was a role model to gay youth nationwide. Not only was he one of the first Latinos to be cast in the popular reality series, he was the first openly gay HIV positive roommate to come on the show and keep it really real. He shocked the nation with his onscreen kiss with his partner Sean and stole our hearts as he struggled with the disease.

MTV Tr3s had a sneak peek of the biopic written by  Academy Award-winner Dustin Lance Black (“Milk”) and no one, not even los hombres, left with a dry eye. Even some Real World vets made cameo appearances in the film! The movie opens with an introduction from former President Bill Clinton, who personally thanked Pedro for his contributions to AIDS activism shortly before his passing.  In the movie's prologue, former President Clinton states that Pedro was:

An extraordinary example of the huge impact one person can have on the world by just being himself and sharing his story.

Pedro airs on MTV Tr3s April 1st at 8pm EST. Until then stay tuned for more exclusive sneak peeks and info regarding the premiere here on Blogamole. Catch the exclusive trailer after the jump... Read more...

Wondering what Christian Chávez has been up to since the RBD break-up?

Besides kicking-off the RBD farewell tour and preparing an autobiography, the "Inalcanzable" singer is promoting an HIV awareness campaign for "The News Agency Concerning Sexual Diversity" (ANODIS).

The 24-year-old recently spoke-out about his new project:

This is a type of campaign that's geared not only to youths, but to society in general. We have to be more aware about [the virus]. A lot of teens don't protect themselves. They see it as something that can never happen to them.

What a way to keep the "Rebelde" cause alive! Be sure to support the campaign by celebrating National AIDS Day on December 1st! [People en Español]

Photos via Getty Images