Leading HIV Advocacy Group offering Free HIV Test
Contrary to the perceptions of many, homosexuality is not necessarily condemned by the Church. In fact, the experiences of three LoveYourself volunteers – Rye Tumbaga, Gibs de los Santos, and Geno Maglinao, point to the Church as a safe place of acceptance and love.
When we realize our nature as sexual beings, we begin to play with trust, pleasure, and health. In the game of safe and satisfying sex, the choice is ours to pick what card to draw.
The HIV crisis in the Philippines requires urgent attention due to increasing rates of HIV infection, in contrast to a worldwide trend of plateauing or decreasing rates. Moreover, of the 26 Filipinos daily who contract HIV, 8 of them are aged 15-24 years old. The age group contributing to the biggest proportion of cases has also become younger, with the 25-34 years age group accounting for more than half of detected cases, with the 15-24 years age group trailing behind at 28%.
Fresh faces dotted the People’s Hall of SM Aura Premier last April 8 as LoveYourself welcomed Batch Guinto, this year’s first set of recruits. Rising up to the call of being HIV awareness and prevention advocates, 42 individuals underwent a thorough screening process and are now on their way to creating ripples of positive change.
Facts about HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), like what it is and how it is transmitted, are readily available almost everywhere, especially on the internet. Yet there are quite a number of myths around HIV that remain to cloud people’s perceptions about it. These are myths you might have read in a web article or in your social media feed.
Ask anyone what the noblest profession is, and there’s a good chance they’ll say “educator.” It should come as no surprise. Educators, after all, are assigned the Herculean task of shaping people’s minds. While not all bearing the title are able to live up to the high standards of their calling, there are those who go above and beyond to fulfill their duties.
In LoveYourself, educators exist, too. Counselors, for example, put hours into training, so they can educate their families, friends, and clients about HIV. What most people outside the organization may not be as familiar with, however, is Love U: The Corporate University of LoveYourself, which serves as the learning hub for all of the organization’s stakeholders.
“The fact that there are women being infected with the virus, no matter what the number is, they should not be taken for granted,” said Mary Ann Cortez, Nurse and Focal Person for HIV in the Provincial Health Office of Pampanga. Here are 4 reasons we should listen to her.
A common question regarding HIV testing is: “When should I go for one?” Some say HIV testing should be done regularly, at least once a year. Others say it has to be twice a year, and there are those who say it should be done quarterly. None of them are wrong, but none of the statements are entirely correct either. This is because the correct time a person has to undergo HIV testing depends on his/her actions and behaviors. But for us to understand the relevant factors to determine the correct timing, we have to learn and understand the concept of the window period.
If you happen to be part of the LGBT community and an advocate of diversity and inclusion, you definitely have an idea of one of the spectrums of the rainbow, the transgender people.
One Canvas Events Place in Makati City was abuzz last February 25 for Cherry Poppin’ – The 3rd Party, the third installment of LoveYourself’s annual date auction for a cause.