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By Rael Bustamante and Ronald Bugarin (Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/ShCVvQbQBDk ) The Philippines has yet to reach the plateau when it comes to diagnosis and treatment of Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV). The numbers are still growing and what is more alarming is the fact that there are more younger persons diagnosed with HIV.   According to the April 2019 HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines published by the Department of Health - Epidemiology Bureau, HIV infection among the age group of 15 - 24 nearly doubled from 17% in the ten-year period of 2000-2009 as compared to the last ten-year period (2010-2019) at 29%. From these figures, 96% of adolescents diagnosed with HIV were infected via unprotected sexual contact.  Some attribute the increase to the lack of a solid sex education system in our country as well as the conservative view of most Filipinos about sex which stigmatizes the use of contraceptive so much so that the youth of today are disempowered t...

By Reiner “Meow” Grospe Everyone has talked about a particular status in his or her life, be it their relationship status, their financial status, and heck people talk about their problems on their Facebook status all the time! But one thing that’s rarely talked about is one’s HIV status. Despite its relevance today it is still greatly stigmatized and has been thought of as taboo by many. This monthly column aims to help facilitate discussion on issues surrounding HIV testing and living with HIV. “Single”, “In a Relationship” and “It’s Complicated” are some of the usual relationship statuses we hear of. As social individuals, all of us have a relationship status - we’re any of the three just mentioned. Similarly, everyone has an HIV status. HIV status is usually a sensitive issue, kept confidential most of the time. Most people are mum about this topic due to the repercussions it entails - much of it due to stigma. In any case, there are four types HIV status a person may have, namely:...

HIV Care and Support Groups If you've just found out that you're HIV-positive, you may feel many overwhelming emotions-- fear, confusion, disbelief, anger,... --but one feeling that is sure to come is this: the feeling of being alone . Know that you are not alone . Many people in the Philippines are now living healthy, productive lives, and they are like you: a person living with HIV.  Remember that being HIV-positive is not the virtual death sentence it once was. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), yes, but being HIV-positive does not necessarily mean that you already have AIDS. With a healthy lifestyle and the right medical care, many HIV-positive people are living long, productive lives, without AIDS. You are considered HIV-positive once you receive your confirmatory results, which in the Philippines, come from a central laboratory (NRL-SLH SACCL, or National Reference Laboratory San Lazaro Hospital STD AIDS Cooper...

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Tv7cj For Commuters from North and Metro East: Take any bus going to Alabang (But not the one with Sucat-Bicutan signage, preferably in Edsa Ayala so less stopover; P25-35 fare, around 20-30 mins. travel time depending on the traffic) From Alabang look for Muntinlupa Fire Station Ride a minivan/multicab with a Filinvest Ikot route in front the Orang Condo/Building and Festival Mall beside the fire station. (P10 fare, 5 mins. travel time) Tell driver to drop you off at RITM For Commuters from Metro South & South Luzon: Ride any transpo going to Alabang From Alabang look for Muntinlupa Fire Station Ride a minivan/multicab with a Filinvest Ikot route in front the Orang Condo/Building and Festival Mall beside the fire station. (P10 fare, 5 mins. travel time) Tell driver to drop you off at RITM If Bringing a Private Vehicle: Take SLEX Exit to  Filinvest Toll Turn left after toll RITM is at the right side Note: Be there before 7AM for baseline testing (Import...

by Michael Paolo Telan Jamias Many find it impossible to sympathize with Richard Thomas , the 27-year-old British man who knowingly raped a sick woman who turned out to be HIV-positive. Thomas reportedly “ collapsed in terror ” when the police revealed that the victim was living with the virus, and the public has seemingly rejoiced in his predicament: “Hope he catches the virus. That would serve him right.”   “Karma at it’s best.” (sic)   “Now that’s justice!” A flood of these comments came in even as Thomas possibly faces a hard road ahead living with HIV, and the possible onset of AIDS plus other deadly complications. (His results from HIV exposure come out in a week.) Commenters believe Thomas deserved contracting the HIV as punishment for his brutality. He admitted to binging on alcohol and drugs, according to news reports , before breaking into the sleeping woman’s home. He penetrated her until she woke up helpless from the ongoing assault. We understand the thirst for...