"Extra Service" by Male Massage Therapists ~ Living with HIV in the Philippines

"Extra Service" by Male Massage Therapists

Posted by Pozziepinoy on 9:16 AM

In this time of rapidly increasing HIV and AIDS cases, we really don't know who has it, who is living with it. The symptoms of the disease can't be seen by scrutinizing one's appearance. Unfortunately in our society, where stigma on the disease is still strong, only by someone's disclosure can it be known. So basically HIV is like a "thief in the night". It can lurk on us if we are not being careful. If we don't protect ourselves, there is a great chance that we will be infected. If we don't use our knowledge during encounters wherein it is possible that HIV can be transmitted, we are prone to getting it.

I patronize massage every now and then. In a month, I schedule a massage twice or when I feel I need one. I have a list of male therapists or masseurs in my phone and I just text a day in advance in case I'll be needing their service the following day. Tag, once said that most of them are "callboys" who got trained in giving massages either through some "training class" or in TESDA (vocational school) but still offer "extra service" at the end of each session. The "extra service" is sex, to be direct, either blowjobs, handjobs and anal sex, depending on how much you can afford to pay.

Tag and I just had a massage last Sunday night because we had a long, stressful day as we went out on a road trip somewhere in Pampanga. When we came home, we scheduled for our own masseurs. After our sessions, Tag told me that his therapist just came from Bohol. He asked his male therapist then if he knew about HIV and or AIDS. He was shocked to hear when the guy said that he didn't know anything about it. That same guy, well, even my masseur asked for an "extra service" that night which we both politely declined.

Because of this I surveyed 20 masseurs who have provided massage service to me before. These masseurs are still on the gay social networking sites or are still working in different spa's in Metro Manila. I asked them these questions:

1. What "extra service" do you provide?
2. How much do you charge for "extra service"
3. Do you use condoms when having anal sex with your clients?
4. What is HIV?
5. What is AIDS?
6. How do you get HIV/AIDS?
7. Have you been tested for HIV?

Kinds of "Extra Service"

All the respondents said that they can have oral sex and hand jobs with their clients. Fourteen (14) or 70% of the respondents said that they have anal sex and ten (10) or 50% of them do sensual massage.

Price Range

Some of them replied that it is usually up to the client, but the price range depends on what kind of service the client wants. Usually, the home service masseur charges an additional P1000 for additional oral sex, handjob or sensual massage and P2000 for anal sex.

Wearing Protection During Sex

Twelve out of twenty or 60% claimed that they don't use condoms. Usually the clients won't insist on them wearing protection at all.

Knowledge about HIV and AIDS

Half of the respondents said that they know something about HIV and AIDS. However, 10 out of the 20 or 50% don't know anything about them.

Mode of Transmission

Most of them didn't reply as to how HIV can be transmitted however, 10% said that they can get it through anal sex and 5% said that they can get it through oral sex.

HIV Test

All of the masseurs that I asked said that they haven't been tested for HIV

Male massage therapists and masseurs are out in the market nowadays. Aside from the massage services, they CAN also provide "extra service" if the client wants it. Most are becoming sex workers behind the facade of the legal services they provide.

It is now all up to us, to be watchful, to be careful about our actions in dealing with these services out on sale.