Masigasig

Marami sa PLHIV (People Living with HIV) ang todong nangamba sa kanilang kaligtasan ng mapabalitang hinarang ng Bureau of Customs ang daan-daang kahon ng ARV (anti-retroviral) drugs dahil sa kakulangan ng dokumento at pagbabayad ng tax. Sinigurado naman ng Department of Health na inaaksyonan na nila itech at may sapat na supply ng gamot kahit may ganitong isyu. Dapat maplantsa agad ang gusot na itey lalo na't kalusugan ng tao ang nakataya.

Sa kabila ng masigasig na kampanya 'di lang ng DOH kundi ng iba't ibang advocate groups towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS, patuloy pa rin ang pagtaas ng bilang ng PLHIV sa Pilipinas. Naaalarma na ang Philippine National AIDS Council dahil dito*. Sa report na inilabas last month, halos umabot na sa bente mil ang naitalang kaso simula noong 1984.

Nito lang Hunyo ay 494* ang nadagdag sa bilang at 585* naman sa buwan ng Hulyo. Labing pito ang binawian ng buhay at lahat sila ay pawang mga kalalakihan. Pakikipagtalik pa rin ang nangungunang dahilan, karamihan ay MSM (men having sex with men) cases*.

Nakakalungkot. Sobra. Pero 'wag na tayong magsisihan. Ang dapat nating pagtuunan ng atensyon ay kung paano ba natin mababawasan at tuluyang mahinto ito. And I am not saying 'wag tayong magpa-test at sumali sa unreported cases. I want us all to act responsibly on this. Nasa iisang kaharian tayo kaya we should take care of our own.

Bago libog, sarili muna. Let's be selfish in a good way. Practice loyalty when you're in a relationship. At kahit may jowa na, take the HIV test regularly. This is one way for you to take care of each other. Stay away from drugs. 'Wag tatambay sa locker o shower room ng mga gym. Stop being adventurous in sex.

Hanap tayo ng alternatibong mapaggagamitan ng ating enerhiya. It takes a lot of control but if we start right now, who knows in the coming days, weeks and months iba na trip mo. You can join different organizations, study again, read books, look for sidelines etc. I recommend being a volunteer to LoveYourself Project.

Lastly, whatever you sexual preference is, don't be afraid to take the test. There are still people out there who will not judge you based on the choices and the things that you did. It will also help to pray before and after the test. It works all the time.

*Related links:
Inquirer.net: 585 new HIV cases posted in July; 17 deaths recorded—DOH
Philstar.com: Philippines among 8 countries with most HIV cases