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HIV Awareness and Stigma in the Philippines

The document summarizes two virtual events held for Philippine International AIDS Candlelight Memorial - a performance night and an online roundtable discussion about HIV/AIDS. The performance night featured talented artists expressing support for people living with HIV through their craft. The roundtable discussion aimed to educate about HIV/AIDS and reduce stigma, with speakers clarifying misconceptions and explaining how treatments have advanced so those with HIV can lead normal lives. The overall message was that sex should not be taboo, protection and testing are important, and those with HIV should feel no shame due to available treatments and support systems.

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103 views2 pages

HIV Awareness and Stigma in the Philippines

The document summarizes two virtual events held for Philippine International AIDS Candlelight Memorial - a performance night and an online roundtable discussion about HIV/AIDS. The performance night featured talented artists expressing support for people living with HIV through their craft. The roundtable discussion aimed to educate about HIV/AIDS and reduce stigma, with speakers clarifying misconceptions and explaining how treatments have advanced so those with HIV can lead normal lives. The overall message was that sex should not be taboo, protection and testing are important, and those with HIV should feel no shame due to available treatments and support systems.

Uploaded by

YahBoiMaykel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

John Michael R.

Mapa May 21, 2021

BABr 2-2D Mr. Davidson Oliveros

Philippine International Aids Candlelight Memorial

In a conservative country where the majority population treats sex as an indecent


topic, filters such type of discussions with regards to it, because for them it is “immoral,”
hinders the dissemination of information that everyone should be able grasp. Art Rally MNL
together with Loveyourself, held a two-day virtual program, You = U, a program for
Philippine International Aids Candlelight Memorial, a performance night, and an online
roundtable discussion. Philippine International Aids Candlelight Memorial gives voice to
those who are afraid to speak, a tribute for those who passed away because of HIV, for the
survivors, and for all the victim not only by their disease, but worse, the twisted judgement of
our society, the Person Living with HIV (PLHIV).

The first night of the event was held on the 15th of may, 2021, a performance night
that left the audiences’ jaw dropped, surely. HIV is a serious topic, but not as serious as the
stigma that runs around ruining PLHIV’s lives. It is the reality that needs to be addressed, but
have you ever imagine witnessing talented performers expressed their support by doing their
crafts, before learning about the crucial battle of the PLHIVs? Because that is what Art Rally
MNL did. A performance that sheds light for everyone fighting their own battle, and each
performance tells us one thing, “we are not alone.” From Marvs’ singing his original piece
“sunflower” up to the last performer, the I How Philippines, gives us a marvelous set of
performances narrating different stories of inspiration.

As per the second night of the program, it is a virtual roundtable discussion, hosted by
Charles Erize P. Ladia, together with their special guests from LoveYourself incorporated,
Joy Daguiso, Papa Chen, And Ryan De Torres, to open our minds about the uncurable, but
manageable and treatable, status of HIV and PLHIVs in our country especially now, in the
time of pandemic. The host and the guests made the topic light and informative as it should
be. As for me, a person who has not enough knowledge about the Human Immunodeficiency
Viruses, this discussion paved a way for me to learn about the different aspects of this
disease. The speakers made everything clear and talk through the topic professionally and
seamlessly. Miss Joy and Sir Ryan, explains the all-time misconception about HIV and
AIDS, how the two differs when it comes to its effect on human body, and how HIV when
progressed, gives the opportunity for the AIDS to occur, as Miss Joy said, it is a manner of
progression. Papa Chen explains the two types of stigma in layman’s term, the one that is
embedded in our society, and the one that is embodied by the PLHIVs, and how it affects
one’s mindset. The speakers made it easier for us to understand and accept not only the ideas
about the disease, but especially the PLHIVs.

The gist of the discussion is this, for us: Sex is not a taboo, unprotected sex and being
active sexually, may sometimes lead to the acquiring of HIV, anyone can have this disease if
the dumb luck strikes, so the use of contraceptives is a must, and there is no shame in having
ourselves get tested. For those who are a PLHIV: there is also zero shame for having this type
of disease, treatments are now available, and as per Miss Joy, “A person’s life does not end in
HIV.”

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