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Content creators David Mercado and Rye Tan of David and Rye and Arshie Larga during the 2nd Southeast Asia Regional Workshop on HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Content creators 07112024

Jeffrey Hernaez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1720696660953Content-creators-1-07112024.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Content creators David Mercado and Rye Tan of David and Rye and Arshie Larga during the 2nd Southeast Asia Regional Workshop on HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination in Bangkok, Thailand."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Content creators David Mercado and Rye Tan of David and Rye and Arshie Larga during the 2nd Southeast Asia Regional Workshop on HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination in Bangkok, Thailand.</span> </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>BANGKOK -- In a world increasingly shaped by digital interactions, social media content creators are stepping up to use their platforms for social good.</p><p>Among the most pressing issues they are tackling is the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV. Influencers and creators, known for their reach and relatability, are uniquely positioned to influence public perception and foster a more informed and compassionate community.</p><p>David Mercado, of the widely followed David and Rye duo, emphasizes the evolving role of social media.</p><p>“As social media content creators, we understand that in this time and age, social media isn’t just for fun anymore. Hindi lang siya for entertainment or kahit ano na lang. Mayroon na rin siyang weight and responsibility, especially on how we can contribute and support social issues,” said Mercado.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=315&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fdavidandrye%2Fvideos%2F1046683033237295%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>CAPTION: David Mercado and Rye Tan interview Elena Felix, a person living with HIV and a community leader, on their Facebook page David and Rye.</p><div><br/></div><p>This acknowledgment of responsibility reflects a broader trend among creators who recognize their influence extends beyond entertainment.</p><p>“Maraming times na ginagamit ang social media to influence, to spread information, and puwede itong gamitin sa mali o sa tamang paraan,” Mercado said.</p><p>(&quot;Many times, social media is used to influence, to spread information, and it can be used in the wrong or the right way.&quot;)</p><p>In the fight against HIV stigma and discrimination, Mercado stressed that the right use of this influence is crucial.</p><p>“Regarding naman sa HIV stigma and discrimination, naniniwala kami na ang social media content creators puwede din na maka-contribute (<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">we believe that social media content creators can also contribute)</span>. One is to spread facts, second is to counter false information,” Mercado added, pointing to the need for accurate information to combat misinformation.</p><p>The other half of David and Rye, Rye Tan, stressed the importance of social media as a tool for community action and why it is a powerful way to mobilize followers to support HIV awareness and combat stigma.</p><p>“It can also be used as a call to action to your audience, your viewers, for you to help the community. Iyon na pinaka-importante for me. The impact that you are actually making sa community natin,” said Tan.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17206967610482024071112074_HIV 2.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Content creators David Mercado, Rye Tan, Arshie Larga and other content creators and journalists from the Asia Pacific region pose for a group photo at the 2nd Southeast Asia Regional Workshop on HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination in Bangkok, Thailand. <em>(Photo courtesy: UNAIDS ASIA PACIFIC)</em></span><em> </em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The informal and relatable nature of social media makes it an effective medium for discussing sensitive topics like HIV. Mercado noted, “Ang kaibahan naman ng traditional media compared sa social media, mas less formal ang social media. Ang content creators, mas casual and relatable sa audience. I think for social media content creators to spread awareness about HIV and also combat stigma and discrimination, they should create vlogs and content that are relatable. Hindi dapat siya sobrang intelektwal pakinggan, hindi siya sobrang scientific pakinggan, although it has to be based on facts based on scientific data pero ang mga salitang ginagamit, mas relatable sa audience.”</p><p>(&quot;The difference between traditional media and social media is that social media is less formal. Content creators are more casual and relatable to their audience. I think for social media content creators to spread awareness about HIV and also combat stigma and discrimination, they should create vlogs and content that are relatable. It shouldn&#x27;t sound overly intellectual or too scientific, although it has to be based on facts and scientific data, but the language used should be more relatable to the audience.&quot;)</p><p>A significant aspect of reducing stigma is changing the language and narrative around HIV. Mercado advocates for more positive or people first terminology.</p><p>“It is so much healthier if we do not use the term HIV victims, instead we say People Living with HIV. Kasi hindi naman katulad dati na (t<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">his is because, unlike before) a</span> lot of people who have HIV now can live full, healthy lives,” he said.</p><p>By framing discussions in a positive light, creators can help shift public perception and reduce the negative connotations associated with HIV.</p><p>Personal stories also play a vital role in this effort. Tan suggests: “As content creators, when it comes to HIV stigma and discrimination, I think apart from creating educational content, content creators can also share personal stories where people can relate. It could be a personal story of their own or it could be family or friends, acquaintance. Iyang mga iyan, I think it creates a social impact in terms of sharing those stories, para makapag-spread tayo ng awareness at iyong benefit na makukuha ng audience dito is more knowledge when it comes to HIV stigma and discrimination.”</p><p>(&quot;I think sharing these stories creates a social impact in terms of spreading awareness, and the benefit for the audience is gaining more knowledge about HIV stigma and discrimination.&quot;)</p><p>The potential reach of social media is unparalleled, and Mercado encouraged his fellow creators to leverage this to their advantage.</p><p>“I think it is very important to use social media platforms these days because traditional media has its limits but social media is unlimited. Marami kang (There are) different kinds of audiences with different demographics, different backgrounds that can be reached,” Mercado stressed.  </p><p>This broad reach is crucial for spreading awareness to audiences that may otherwise remain uninformed about HIV. Moreover, Arshie Large, another prominent content creator, advised on maximizing platform presence.</p><div><br/></div><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:560px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1806299588695052580&amp;lang=en&amp;maxWidth=560px&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fnews-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Anews-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2024-07-11T11%3A56%3A54.202708%3A1720bffb-6632-4645-8cd5-f0d1e9b6890d%26action%3Dedit&amp;sessionId=f6a18acc040289ee9e4789ecd7d41d45befebf38&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:560px;height:560px;display:block;flex-grow:1" data-tweet-id="1806299588695052580"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><div><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em>Content creator Arshie Larga uses his social media platform to raise HIV awareness.</em></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“Maximize every social media platform, be where your audience is. Don’t only focus on TikTok, don’t only focus on Facebook, don’t only focus on Instagram. Be on every platform as much as you can, because your audience is scattered on every platform,” Larga said.</p><p>The collective effort of social media influencers is echoed by United Nations Development Programme Bangkok HIV and Health Group Policy Specialist Kathryn Johnson, who underscored the role of media professionals in advocating for the rights of those affected by HIV.</p><p>“Journalists and the media play a complementary role in this effort by bringing the light in justice and advocating for the rights of those affected by HIV. Their work in exposing rights violations, raising awareness, and influencing public opinion is invaluable in the fight against stigma and discrimination,” Johnson said in her keynote speech at the 2nd Southeast Asia Regional Workshop on HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination in Bangkok, Thailand.</p><p>The synergy between content creators and traditional media professionals is vital for creating a supportive environment free from stigma and discrimination. Harry Prabowo, program manager at the Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV, highlighted the power of collaboration.</p><p>“Media professionals and influencers hold an immense capacity to sway public perception and discourse. By working together, we can ensure that the narratives surrounding HIV are rooted in truth, empathy, and understanding,” said Prabowo.</p><p>Social media content creators are at the forefront of the fight against HIV stigma and discrimination. By using their platforms responsibly, sharing accurate information, and fostering positive narratives, they can significantly contribute to a more informed and compassionate society.</p><p>As Mercado aptly put it, “If you’re a social media content creator or aspire to be one, don’t just aim for positive and meaningful, but also be responsible. Use your words correctly and wisely and think before you post.”</p><div><br/></div>

Content creators join fight against HIV stigma, discrimination

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Content creators join fight against HIV stigma, discrimination

Jeffrey Hernaez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 11, 2024 07:19 PM PHT

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AIDS

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David and Rye

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Arschie Larga

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