Camille Naredo

Advocates hand out free condoms and roses at the UP Diliman track oval, February 14, 2026. Eon Sanchez, ABS-CBN News

Advocates hand out free condoms and roses at the UP Diliman track oval, February 14, 2026.

Article (news)

V-DAY 2026

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) on Saturday distributed thousands of free condoms and roses at the track oval of the University of the Philippines Diliman.</p><p>This was done in partnership with youth-led gender equality group PANTAY, in a bid to promote responsible love and confront the stigma surrounding sexual health.</p><p>Joggers, students, and young couples International Condom Day.</p><p>According to PANTAY, organizers brought 4,867 packs of condoms, amounting to 14,600 individual pieces, for free distribution throughout the day.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>-- Condom use should not be embarrassing --</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771043675907viber_image_2026-02-14_12-26-44-171.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Advocates hand out free condoms and roses at the UP Diliman track oval, February 14, 2026. Eon Sanchez, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Advocates hand out free condoms and roses at the UP Diliman track oval, February 14, 2026. <em>Eon Sanchez, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></strong></div><p>Vic Arthur Masliyan, marketing staff of AIDS Healthcare Foundation Philippines, stressed the importance of normalizing condom use.</p><p>&quot;Yung paghawak ng condoms hindi nakakahiya. It&#x27;s one way to protect yourself and the ones you love,&quot; Masliyan said.</p><p>&quot;Importante po sa ating lahat na magpractice ng safer sex… Para maiwasan natin yung HIV transmission. Hindi lang HIV, pati na rin other sexually-transmitted infections,&quot; he added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/9/hiv-cases-in-ph-continue-to-rise-despite-global-decline-1538">READ: HIV cases in Philippines continue to rise despite global decline</a></div><p>The Philippines continues to grapple with rising HIV infections, according to the group. In June 2025, the Department of Health moved to declare the HIV and AIDS situation a public health emergency following a reported 500 percent increase in infections among individuals aged 15 to 25.</p><p>AHF Philippines Country Program Manager Dr. Ryan C. Guinaran earlier said young Filipinos, particularly young gay men and transgender women, remain at the center of the HIV and STI crisis, yet often face significant barriers in accessing condoms and accurate sexual health information.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>-- Rising cases among young Filipinos -- </strong></div><p>Red Raz, a member of PANTAY, said initiatives like the condom drive are crucial as cases continue to climb among the youth.</p><p>&quot;Napakahalaga ng ganitong usapin lalo sa ating mga kabataan dahil tumataas ang kaso ng HIV sa bansa natin,&quot; Raz said.</p><p>&quot;Hindi lang ito usapin ng kalusugan; nandyan din yung usapin ng diskriminasyon and stigma na patuloy nilang nararanasan,&quot; he added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/11/-normalize-hiv-and-aids-conversation-at-home-group-1036">READ: &#x27;Normalize&#x27; HIV and AIDS conversation at home — group</a></div><p>Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña cited alarming statistics, saying the country has seen a sharp rise in HIV incidence over the past two decades.</p><p>&quot;Narito tayo para ipaalala sa ating mga kababayan to practice safer sex kasi natin nitong nakaraang dalawang dekada na yung Pilipinas ang isa sa pinakamataas na HIV incident sa buong region,&quot; Cendaña said.</p><p>&quot;In fact, we have reached 500% na increase. Sabi nila, 57 everyday nagtetest positive sa HIV. Nakakaalarma dito dun sa 57 na yun, 30% ay around 19 and 18 years old below,&quot; he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>-- Continuing push for education --</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771043699587viber_image_2026-02-14_12-26-43-778.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Advocates hand out free condoms and roses at the UP Diliman track oval, February 14, 2026. Eon Sanchez, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Advocates hand out free condoms and roses at the UP Diliman track oval, February 14, 2026. <em>Eon Sanchez, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></strong></div><p>While many accepted the free condoms and roses, organizers observed that some individuals hesitated or declined to receive them, reflecting the persistent discomfort surrounding discussions on sexual health.</p><p>Advocates said this underscores the need to intensify comprehensive sexual health education and normalize conversations about protection.</p><p>The free condom distribution at UP Diliman was set to continue throughout Saturday until supplies ran out, as organizers pushed the message that love should always come with responsibility.</p>

<p>The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) on Saturday distributed thousands of free condoms and roses at the track oval of the University of the Philippines Diliman.</p>

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) on Saturday distributed thousands of free condoms and roses at the track oval of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

'Love responsibly': Youth advocates hand out free condoms, roses at UP Diliman on Valentine's Day

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'Love responsibly': Youth advocates hand out free condoms, roses at UP Diliman on Valentine's Day

Eon Sanchez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 14, 2026 12:36 PM PHT

Read More:

Condoms

UP Diliman

Valentine's Day

PANTAY

AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Sexual Health

AIDS

HIV

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