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 By Tino Largado “How do you take pieces of condoms and use it to convey powerful and compelling messages through photographs?” Artists, photographers, hobbyists, and enthusiasts took on this challenge when they joined the Shoot the Rubber Photography Contest held from July 27th to August 5th, 2020, as a highlight of the first ever National HIV Prevention Month (NHPM). Over 50 entries were sent, all creatively using condoms and lubes in a way that invokes a strong message on why they are key HIV prevention tools and how they help promote a #SaferNow lifestyle. Of these, 37 made the final cut and meticulously judged by an esteemed panel of jurors: Culture and Arts Managers of the Philippines (CAMP), Inc founder and HIV advocate Ian Alquiros, freelance photographer and artist Kraus Estanislao, photographer, LGBT rights advocate and HIV awareness ambassador Niccolo Cosme, and celebrity photographer BJ Pascual. Ian, Kraus, and Niccolo joined in on the Condoms and Lubes Day virtual even...

LoveYourself Communications Loving oneself involves knowing where you stand. As an empowered individual, you can always say no to risky sexual behavior, such as going bareback or going raw. “Bareback” in the old days meant riding horses without a saddle. Nowadays, the term is more commonly used to refer to raw or unprotected anal intercourse. A common belief among men-having-sex-with-men (MSM) is that bareback sex brings extra pleasure, but it also poses the risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as HIV. Getting or not getting an STI is a game of chance you partake in every time you engage in unprotected sex.  Here are some tips to consider when your partner, talks you around going raw. 1. The initial talk Good communication is beneficial to any and all relationships, especially intimate ones. Before getting into bed with your partner, talk to them about what you like to do, what makes you feel good and your limits. Let them tell you the same. Knowing  ...

By Jacob The wet season has finally come and as it pours isn’t it nice to stay indoors, relax with the person we’re comfortable with and just Netflix and chill?. But it’s important to keep in mind that sex is not just about pleasure, but also health. That’s why practicing a healthy sexual lifestyle  is in your best interest as it keeps you and your partner safe. LoveYourself created a healthy sexual lifestyle guide called the “Triangle of Self-Care” or TSC. It’s comprised of three easy steps: (1) Timely testing and treatment , (2) Safe and satisfying sex , and (3) Correct and consistent use of condoms . It’s simple, effective, and will take you a long way in your sexual conquest. For most it’s not easy to get themselves tested for HIV  because of the stigma attached to it. But we need to know our status so we can do what we need to move on. We can get tested again after the window period and continue safer sex options if negative, or pursue treatment and aim to be undetect...

By Julian Christopher Photo by Julian Christopher A lot of things may come to mind when people hear the word, summer. For some, it is a time to unwind and spend more quality time with their family, while some may spend it travelling to cross out items on their bucket list. But it can also be a time for a totally different adventure. Imagine going to a local pub where you meet a guy that ticks all of your boxes. Sweet, kind, articulate-- he’s the perfect package! After spending some time talking about sweet nothings, you decided to spend the night together. Everything was going well in the beginning. His kisses were gentle and his moves were just right-- not too fast and not too slow. You could not hide your excitement, thinking it was going to be a perfect night. Then, he slipped out of his underwear, and everything went into a standstill. Your perfect guy-- is uncut! For Filipinos, circumcision is a social norm and is considered as a rite of passage for majority of pre-pubescent males...

By Jhemarie Arca One of the core principles of LoveYourself’s Triangle of Self-Care (TSC) , emphasizes the importance of Correct and Consistent Condom use . Your sexual health and wellness is a basic right, you should never feel ashamed or worried whenever you buy these essentials. You may be aware of the free condoms provided by the government and specific clinics but these areas might be too far from home. There are time you just wish that these concerns can be answered easily, like a snap of your fingertips. It’s time you let go of these worries away because you can now have the answer with just a click away - Safe Spaces PH! What is Safe Spaces PH? Safe Spaces PH is a growing initiative of LoveYourself Inc. together with partnering establishments and organizations all around the metro. The project aims to provide a series of sex positive places where you can get free condoms and lubes without the worry of being judged. Safe Spaces in Metro Manila as of August 2018 “The government...

By Jeffrey Venzuela Have you ever heard people say , “Since sex became easier to get, love has become harder to find”? In these modern times, finding dates can be fast and easy with the use of dating apps. A few taps here and a few swipes there, you'll find a match. Whether you’re looking for love or a casual hook-up. It's inevitable that you'll meet guys who don’t want the same things as you do. Yes, it may lead to disappointment. They may even end up breaking your heart. But you can't always protect yourself from that. What you can protect yourself from is contracting HIV and other STIs. One action you can take to prevent any additional hurt is to do timely testing and treatment . Having the initiative to know your status every three months after a possible exposure can be part of your self-care regimen. And there are even more when you live in the Triangle of Self-Care . There’s practicing safe and satisfying sex , exploring what satisfies you while still maintaining...