A guest wears a red ribbon pin,  the global symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS, as he attends the handover of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testers donated by the US government through USAID to the Philippines on December 1, 2022, in Sampaloc, Manila, in commemoration of World AIDS Day. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file

Life goes on for persons living with HIV, "Chris" and "Vince".

They are now in their 20s - but they first learned that they were infected with the virus when they were tested in their teenage years, which helped them get continuous treatment.

In Chris' case, he was 16 years old when he tested positive for the virus.

He said that he was experiencing fever every night for several days. 

It would have been easy to take this as a normal condition, but what was bugging him was that one time when he discovered that his then-sex partner removed his protection without consent. 

Philippines recording 55 new HIV cases per day: DOH chief  

So after several prodding from an acquaintance, he got the courage to get tested. 

"Mixed emotion po ako that time... as in blank po ako, hindi ako makapaniwala... Ang dumi-dumi na po... iyong paningin ko sa sarili ko," he told ABS-CBN News. 

(I had mixed emotions at that time... I felt blank, I couldn't believe it... I felt so dirty... that's how I saw myself.) 

"Ang masasabi ko lang po talaga ay hindi siya ganoon kadali na magkaroon ka ng HIV... Hindi lang HIV iyong lalabanan mo, nandoon na rin po iyong depression, anxiety... Namimili po talaga ako ng mga tao na kinakausap ko when it comes to my status po or sa health ko, ang kinakausap ko lang... iyong mga alam ko na may knowledge, background," he added. 

(What I can really say is that it's not that easy to have HIV... It's not just HIV that you have to fight, there's also depression, anxiety... I really choose the people I talk to about my status or my health, I only talk to... those I know who have knowledge and background.) 

Poor education, stigma fuel Philippines' soaring HIV infections 

Chris is now single, and busy with his career. 

"Focus na lang muna ako sa self ko. And kung meron mang magpaparamdam, i-entertain ko kung ano talaga ang gusto. Pero kung sa sex po talaga, andyan lang naman po, hindi naman po mawawala iyan," he said. 

(I just focus on myself for now. And if someone shows interest, I'll entertain them to see what they really want. But when it comes to sex, it's always there, it won't go away.) 

Vince learned that he was HIV positive during a screening at school, which is being done as an awareness campaign for students. 

When a health professional revealed that his result turned out positive, he couldn't help but look back on what might have gone wrong. 

"'Di po ako sexually active... Pero kapag sa sitwasyon ka... you're craving for someone's intimacy or touch, attention, nahanap ko po iyon sa maling lugar, which is ayon nga po, sa dating app," he shared. 

(I'm not sexually active... But when you're in a situation where you're craving for someone's intimacy, touch, or attention, I found it in the wrong place, which is through a dating app.) 

HIV cases in PH may hit 500,000 in 6 years: DOH 

"Bilang ko lang naman po kung kung ilan iyong mga sexual partner ko po... Ano naman pong magagawa po noon, kung sisisihin po sisisihin ko po sila kasi at the same time, may part din po ako na ginusto ko rin po iyong part na iyon... Wala po akong magagawa kundi i-accept," he added. 

(I can count how many sexual partners I've had... What good would it do to blame them when, at the same time, I also wanted that part of it... There's nothing I can do but accept it.) 

Vince said he was scared, but he had to set that aside so that he can go through the necessary treatment. 

Now, he has a partner who understands his condition. 

"Kailangan aware po iyong both partners sa status, and at the same time alam ko iyong mga dapat gagawin for someone living HIV... Continuous naman po iyong pagta-take ng treatment ko po. Siya rin naman po, nagta-take din po ng meds na tinatawag nilang PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). And syempre iyon... protection, which is condom," he shared. 

(Both partners need to be aware of their status, and at the same time, I know what needs to be done for someone living with HIV... I'm continuously taking my treatment. My partner is also taking medication called PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). And of course, there's protection, which is using condoms.) 

HIV cases in PH may hit 500,000 in 6 years: DOH  

"Iyong biggest challenge ko po talaga is sinabi ko po kasi sa sarili ko po na habang kaya ko pa po, hindi ko muna po ito i-open up sa magulang ko. Kasi hindi pa po kasi nila accepted iyong kung sino ako, what more pa man kung sinabi ko iyong status ko po... Ang masasabi ko sa mga someone na katulad ko... maging aware po sa virus na ito and learn to protect yourself," he added. 

(My biggest challenge is that I told myself that as long as I can manage, I won't open up to my parents about this. They haven't accepted who I am yet, so what more if I tell them my status... What I can say to others like me is to be aware of this virus and learn to protect yourself.) 

Chris and Vince have reached the "undetected" stage, where their HIV is no longer transmissible or contagious. 

RISING DAILY CASES 

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. 

If left untreated, HIV can progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is the most advanced stage of the health condition. 

The Department of Health (DOH) shared data from the HIV & AIDS and antiretroviral therapy (ART) Registry of the Philippines (HARP) "showed that from 1984 to March 2024, there were 129,772 cumulative diagnosed cases of HIV." 

SC says illegally terminated OFW due to HIV in Saudi deserves full salary  

"Focusing on 2024, from January to March there were 3,410 newly diagnosed cases, with 82 reported deaths. Of these newly diagnosed cases, ages ranged from less than 1 year old to 66 years old with a median of 28; eight out of ten (81%) were MSM (male having sex with male). In the month of March 2024 alone, there were 1,224 newly diagnosed cases with 12 reported deaths. Ages of newly diagnosed cases for March 2024 ranged from less than 1 to 55 years old, with a median age of 28 years. Close to half (46%) of the new cases for March 2024 were aged 25-34 years old, while almost a third (31%) were among youth aged 15-24 years old," the agency added. 

Health Sec. Ted Herbosa is concerned about the 55 new cases recorded daily - and Health spokesperson Asec. Albert Domingo explainedwhy. 

"Iyong sinabi ni Sec. Herbosa, nanggagaling siya mula sa datos na tinatawag na incidence rate. Ibig sabihin, new cases per day... The Department of Health does not judge your sexual preferences, but we have to be ready. Because the fact is iyan iyong nahahawa. We have to protect them, we have to keep them healthy," Domingo told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview. 

(What Sec. Herbosa said is based on data referred to as the incidence rate, which means new cases per day... The Department of Health does not judge your sexual preferences, but we have to be ready. Because the fact is that those are the ones getting infected. We have to protect them, we have to keep them healthy.) 

Many Pinoys unaware of emergency contraception - survey  

"It's about safe sexual practices, 'di ba the information on that, and also the commodities we should offer," he added. 

(It's about safe sexual practices, the information on that, and also the commodities we should offer.) 

MAINSTREAM

The DOH wants to "mainstream", or to make HIV screening and treatment as part of primary healthcare services - something that volunteer community LoveYourself has also long been doing, offering free screening, checkups, laboratory tests, and treatment for the said health condition. 

"Pwede kasing narea-reach na namin iyong health teachings namin sa kanila, so kumbaga mas informed na sila na meron palang ganito, may mga clinic hubs pala na maprotektahan iyong privacy nila, makakapagpa-test din sila for HIV," said Dr. Lance Kristian Pagdanganan, a General Physician for Lily by LoveYourself. 

(It's possible that we are already reaching them with our health teachings, so they are more informed that these resources exist. There are clinic hubs that can protect their privacy, and they can also get tested for HIV.) 

Pagdanganan believes social media may help in disseminating information on HIV, but it also poses danger because it is challenging to filter information and people here. 

He said it is also important to know how the virus is transmitted - which can happen for males and females - to fight the stigma or the negative opinions of some members of the society. 

Ilang health workers pinag-iisipang mangibang-bansa pa rin 

"Makakakuha ka ng HIV kung meron kang unprotected sex, so better use condoms talaga. Second, needle prick injury or sharing of needles... Next naman is mother to child transmission. So iyong isang fetus na pinagbubuntis ng isang babae na may HIV, pwede niyang maipasa in utero o sa sinupupunan palang... Hindi siya nakukuha sa laway, sa paghalik, o sa pawis... It needs to be close contact... So katulad ng sex, dapat may penetration. So it's either male to male, or female to male, or male to female," he explained.

(You can get HIV through unprotected sex, so it's better to use condoms. Second, needle prick injury or sharing of needles... Next is mother-to-child transmission. So if a fetus is being carried by a woman with HIV, it can be transmitted in utero or during childbirth... It's not transmitted through saliva, kissing, or sweat... It needs close contact... So like sex, there should be penetration. So it's either male to male, or female to male, or male to female.) 

Pagdanganan explained that persons living with HIV who have reached the "undetected" stage may still get the virus again if they have direct contact with someone who has HIV. 

In effect, there is no cure for HIV, but treatment is available - and life-long at that. 

What keeps Pagdanganan optimistic is that treatments are more effective now compared to those in previous years - that's why HIV is "no longer a death sentence". 

"For life po ang treatment. Bale iisipin na lang natin siya na para siyang maintenance. Isipin mo na lang din meron kang high blood, meron kang diabetes kasi iyong mga sakit na iyon kailangan kontrolado... Ang treatment kasi natin sa HIV... kailangan natin i-suppress ang HIV. Hindi natin siya matatanggal sa sistema. Wala pa tayong ganoong gamot," Pagdanganan shared. 

DOH now halfway through its promised 28 health facilities for poor Filipinos  

(The treatment is for life. We can think of it like maintenance. Just imagine having high blood pressure or diabetes because those conditions need to be controlled... Our treatment for HIV... we need to suppress the HIV. We can't remove it from the system. We don't have that kind of medication yet.) 

"Ang ginagawa lang natin is kailangan natin ng daily dosing ng anti-retroviral natin para manatili siyang 'tulog,'" he added. 

(What we're doing is we need our daily dosing of antiretrovirals to keep it "asleep.") 

BEATING THE STIGMA 

Advocacy groups serve as the bridge for persons living with HIV to be more open to communicating their condition, especially with their loved ones. 

"Hindi nila kayang sabihin sa ibang tao, so ikaw dapat open ka... handa mo silang yakapin kasi kapag lumapit yan sayo... iisipin nila pinagkakatiwalaan ka nila," said Tanya Laguing, President of transgender organization DIOSSA and manager of Lily by LoveYourself. 

(They might not be able to tell other people, so you should be open... ready to embrace them because when they approach you... they believe that they can trust you.) 

Laguing serves as one of the "mothers" of their "clients" in Lily by LoveYourself, as they treat everyone in the community as their family - going through the ups and downs, being together from the beginning of treatment. 

Adrian Lindayag opens up HIV-positive diagnosis to defy stigma  

Still, they want family members and loved ones of their clients to also realize the importance of sexuality and reproductive health education, which can later translate to understanding HIV/AIDS. 

"Pinaka-importante talaga... iyong education is nasa pamilya natin siya... Normal din na pinag-uusapan ng sex education sa family... Paano protektahan ang sexual health," Laguig said. 

(The most important thing is really education and it should start within our families... It's also normal to discuss sex education in the family... How to protect one's sexual health.) 

She observed that stigma or negative views on HIV can start as early as testing, which shouldn't be the case because this is the first step to acceptance.   

"Kapag nagpa-test ako, iba na iyong iisipin sa'yo or kapag lumapit lang dito sa clinic, pumasok lang sa isang community center... iisipin na may risk kang ginawa... Jinu-judge na natin kaagad iyong kliyente or iyong taong gusto lang malaman iyong kanilang HIV status," Laguing shared. 

(When you get tested or just visit a clinic, or enter a community center... people might think you engaged in risky behavior... We immediately judge the client or the person who just wants to know their HIV status.) 

Marcos reminds public to practice self-love  

"So ang gusto nating mangyari, i-break na natin iyong stigma when it comes to testing, na dapat bahagi ito ng healthy checkup natin. Na very three months, alam natin ang HIV status natin... May mga kasama na siyang mga case managers, may mga counselors na siya, meron ng mga taong pwede niyang kausapin - tamang taong pwedeng gabayan siya for treatment, care, and support," she added. 

(What we want to happen is to break the stigma when it comes to testing, that it should be part of our regular health checkup. Every three months, we should know our HIV status... There are case managers, counselors, people they can talk to - the right people to guide them for treatment, care, and support.)