Baseline Test in the Philippines

Hallo,

I am a US Citizen. As I have recently obtained the Philippines non-immigrant visa I will soon be seconded by my current employer to the Philippines to work in Manila for about 3 years.

I am HIV+ but my condition does not require (yet) any medication as my level of CD4 cells remains relatively high while my viral load relatively low. However, I need to undergo on a regular basis the baseline tests (CD4 cells, viral load etc.).

My question is simple: are the HIV treatment hubs listed on your website (http://pozziepinoy.blogspot.cz/p/hiv-treatment-hubs.html) available also for foreigners legally living and working in the Philippines? And if yes, do I need the PhilHealth Membership Documents or any other documentation to qualify for their care and services and last but not least would I have to pay (...and how much) for the baseline HIV infection tests?

Thanks in advance.

Jan

Where to Go?

Please help me I just received the result from confirmatory at positive ang result.hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko please can you recommend a  hub that you think is good. im worried also Kung saan ako kukuha ng pang gastos sa mga laboratory na gagawin sa akin. can you give me an idea if how much ang magagastos sa mga laboratory na gagawin sa akin?

Thanks I hope matulungan nyo po ako..

Positive thinker

For You, "Arthur"

I recently heard that a friend's brother passed away because of AIDS last year. My friend, Arthur told my partner Tag about it and Tag disclosed my status to him and told him about the blog and my advocacy. Arthur said that they had been reading the blog before and was helped by it. Though sad that Arthur's brother still passed away, I'm still glad that somehow, I was able to reach them through the blog.

Arthur and his family still won't have peace of mind because of what happened. I tried to reach out a lot of times and requested to talk but I guess he is not ready for it.

Worried About HIV in the Philippines

Hi there. 

I am travelling to the philippines soon to carry out some volunteer work rebuilding houses destroyed by the Typhoon in November. I have not disclosed my illness as i wasn't sure whether i would be discriminated against as i was unsure what the stigma around HIV is like in the Philippines. Could you enlighten me a bit about how the situation is generally there? I fear being outcast if i am upfront or if someone sees my med. Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

MR R

Please Help Me!

Hi

I just turned out positive last week during my first visit on a hygiene clinic. I really don't know how to handle this. I did not expect this as I was not really that sexually active. I haven't told anyone yet which makes this even more difficult. It's been a week and I'm still suffering from depression, sleeplessness, headaches and hopelessness. It consumes me  
everyday. I'm only 23 and I feel like my life is shattered already. 

Your blog somehow gave me hope but still I am not you or at least financially not like you. I feel like yours is a very lucky case. I have a lot of questions that keeps on bothering me. I hope you could help me find answers and help me accept my status and just move on. As of now, it's really hard. :-(

biboy

What to Do?

Hi sir

Good evening.. ttanong ko lang po kung gano katagal mkuha ung result ng hiv screening ung relative ko po kasi ngpatest last may 6 until now wala pa result pag fino follow up po nmn sb nasa confirmatory pa... also ngptest po ng cd4 ang result 50 na lang daw po cd4 count nya.. pag gnun po pa positive na? May channce pa po ba cia mkarecover? Madami n po rashes at sobrang pumayat n po cia ngyn.. sana po mtulungan nyo ako. Thanks

Thank You!

The Project Red Ribbon Care Management Program (TRR) based in Manila, Philippines was able to successful hold the 31st International AIDS Candlelight 2014 in UP Sunken Garden and Grandstand, in Quezon City, Philippines last May 18, 2014 from 10am to 8pm.

Listed below were the highlights of our event:

1. Event was participated in by 35 different organizations, companies, foundations, schools 
    and groups.
2. Free HIV Counselling and Testing from 10am to 3pm. 2 FREE jeepneys loaded clients to      
    the UP Health Service where the testing and counseling is being done with our partner
    The Love Yourself. 41 people got tested in the event and one got diagnosed with HIV.

3. The Program included:
    a. 1pm to 3pm: 
        -acknowledgement of participating groups
        -presentation of the different booths of participants and their programs
        -invitation to the TRR's Photo Booth
        -invitation of everyone to take the HIV Test

    b. 3pm: Singing of the Philippine National Anthem
    c. 3:05 - 3:30pm: Ecumenical Prayer

    d. 3:30-5:30: Reading of AIDS Stories
        -Introduction to the AIDS Stories
        -AIDS Stories being read on stage by PLHIV, advocates, counsellors, HIV doctors, 
        -Messages of Hope from guest speakers
        -Guest performance: dance numbers, song numbers, interpretative dance

    e. 5:30: Preparation to the Candlelight ceremonies
    f.  5:45: Introduction to the Candlelight Ceremonies
    g. 5:50: Unveiling of the Ceremonial Red Ribbon

    h. 6:00-6:20: 
        - Ceremonial March of the 966 candles, representing the 966 Filipinos who passed  
             on because of AIDS since 1984.

        - Candles are laid on the Ceremonial Red Ribbon
        - 34 Candles are placed on stage signifying the 34 Filipinos who passed on in 2014.

    i. 6:20: Song played: "To Where You Are"
    j. 6:30: Celebrity Guest reading IACM Prayer

    k. 6:40: The 34 candles on stage were carried by volunteers to join the other 932 candles 
           on the Red Ribbon.
    l. 6:50: Guest Choir Singing "The Prayer" as everyone surrounds the red ribbon with 
           candles

m. 7:00
        - Organizations Commitment: a representative of each organization was requested  
           to come in the middle of the Red Ribbon and join hands with the other
          representatives.

        - A pledge of commitment was made by the different representatives in front of the 
          Red Ribbon

    n. 7:15: Guest Choir Singing " Hawak Kamay" (Hold Hands)
    o. 7:20: Pledge of Commitment to IACM
        -Every participant makes a commitment, supporting all HIV advocacy cause, joining 
         HIV groups, helping PLHIV, telling people to get tested, and renew their vows
         every IACM.

    p. 7:30: Guest Choir Singing "The Climb"
    q. 7:40: Closing Remarks

    r: 7:50: Final Song: "Seasons of Love"

    s: 8:00: Group Photos with the Commitment Banner

Check out all the pictures of the 31st IACM here:

TRR's 31st IACM 2014

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

Want to be ASSISTED for the HIV TEST?? 

Check this link:

CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

If you have comments or questions, please click this link:

Contact Pozziepinoy

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

One Heart, One Voice: The 31st International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, Quezon City, Philippines

ADVISORY

The Project Red Ribbon

Care Management Program

in cooperation with

The University Student Council

UP Diliman 

and in partnership with 

AMA Events

will be holding the

31st International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 

at the

UP Sunken Garden and Grandstand

UP Diliman, Quezon City

on

Sunday, May 18, 2014

1pm to 8pm

WHAT TO EXPECT?

Over 31 Organizations, Groups and Foundations

FREE HIV TEST conducted by

The Love Yourself

Reading of over 25 AIDS stories 

Messages of Hope from Guest Speakers

Ecumenical Service 

Heartwarming Songs and Dance Presentations

The Red Ribbon and Candlelight March

Commemoration Rites

Commitment Ceremonies

Moments Captured by the TRR Photo Booth 

Candle Lighting Ceremonies

The Media Corner

Organization Booths

Promotion of different HIV & AIDS Programs

WHAT TO BRING?

Your Candle and Candle Holders

Your Lapel Red Ribbon

Wear Your White Shirt, Polo, Blouse (for the visibility of the pinned Red Ribbon)

A Red Umbrella or Red Hat / Cap

Fan, Food, Water or drinks , Extra Money (there are food carts in the garden)

EVERYBODY IS WELCOME TO JOIN THE EVENT!

INVOLVE YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES 

SO WE CAN HAVE ONE BIG VOICE

SO WE CAN MAKE A BIG IMPACT

SO WE CAN BECOME INSTRUMENTS OF CHANGE

SO WE CAN ALL JOIN HANDS IN THE FIGHT

AGAINST HIV & AIDS!

Negative but Symptomatic?

hi pozzie been reading your blog after akung m expose  sa hindi dapat nagyari sakin kasi sobrang lasing aku that time! after ku ma experience halos lahat ng early hiv symptoms nag lakas loob akung mag pa test  last april 25 sa RITM Malate accommodating at hindi judgmental ang mga staff ng RITM Malate 4 weeks from exposure tested non reactive at sabi sakin eh bumalik aku after 3moths after nun  nag pa blood test narin aku ang findings ng doctor eh merun akung uti binigyan nya akung antibiotics ng 7 days 1000mg a day pro parang hindi gumaling ang uti ku at  sa ngyun eh lagi akung merung night sweats at nag papalpitate aku every time magigising ako maputi rin ang dila ku since nung nag p test aku hindi aku makatulog ng maayus laging putol putol ang tulog ku! as of these time  hindi parin maganda pakiramdam ku  anu ang pwde kong gawin?

On My Recovery Stage

Hi PozziePinoy,

I got my baseline and lab results last Monday (May 5) and was urgently instructed to start on the ARVs.  My CD4 is below 10.

I started with the prophylaxis meds that same Monday night and got my clearance from an ophthalmologist as instructed.  I started on ARVs last Wednesday (May 7).

I feel good aside from having soft and sometimes watery stool.    I actually did high intensity cardio at the gym and was in a sports competition that weekend before my baseline.

I wonder what I can and cannot do in the first month, 3 months and 6 months as I see to have my CD4 count improve.  

The Past and My Future...

Hi,

dko alam saan mag sisimula...im 28 2 lang naging serious relationship  
ko....ung una after 4 years nag hiwalay kame, nag pa test ako kasama friend  
ko and negative ung result.......after 3 month nainlove ako sa lalaking  
magbabago ng buhay ko...... nung una ko syang nakilala parang im so into  
him hes ver good looking, mabait and he will tell good all stories bout his  
life.......nung nag live in na kme may isang pangyayari na im regretting  
talaga...nag sex kame ng walang condom just once....after two weeks nagka  
lagnat ako for no reason sobrang pumayat ako non tapos naging ok ako after  
that.......don palang alam ko na HIV yon kc every year supposed to be ako  
magpapatest ung year lang yon ang natakot ako kc nafefeel ko n i am  
positive.....habang tumatagal marami akong nalaman sa BF ko na taliwas sa  
mga sinasabi nya sa akin noon..in short lier sya...........sabi nya sakin  
hnd daw sya nag babar pero nung pumunta kame sa BED malate halos lahat ng  
BI kilala sya kaya natakot na ako noon....at nung hiniwalayan ko sya  
sobrang away namin kc sinisisi ko sya na binigyan nya ako ng AIDS kahit dpa  
ako nagpapatest..........sabi nya "research ka ng research about AIDS may  
AIDS ka kc kaya mo yan ginagawa" sabi ko " ikaw ang nagbigay sa akin nito  
kc ung pwet mo may Warts na hindi ko pa alam anu ung warts that  
time..............

ARV Issues?

Hi, PP!

Good day!

I have been on ARV (efav-lami-teno) for six (6) months now and I just had my regular check up a while back. Based on my recent lab results, my doctor (from MMC) concluded that my health is greatly improving, i.e., my cd4 percentage has increased from 12% to almost 18% and my viral load has become "undetectable" (after 6 months). I feel blessed and overwhelmingly elated.

I have some questions though: 
1) why is it that when I had my ARV refill this afternoon, I was only given a month's supply by the MMC pharmacy? By the way, MMC used to give me 3 month's supply of ARV. 

2) Is there a shortage of 3-in-1 pill /ARV in the country? 

3) If so, would you know if the government has already taken measures to remedy the situation? 

4) What do you suggest we can do to help solve this predicament? 

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon. 

MMC Resident

Want to Live My Dreams!

hi pozzie pinoy, im so greatfull kasi nakatulong tong blogspot nyo sa akin ngaun 1st time kong magsusulat dito, actually im currently patient na po ngaun sa ritm arg, at magsisix month na akong umiinom ng gamot, sa june po and sched ko na din po sa cd4 by june and patapos na ako sa TB Dot by may. ngaun mejo nahihirapan lang akong isipin kung paano ko maipagpapatuloy ung pangarap ko na makapagtapos ng pag aaral, ngaun huminto ako sa study and work ko, before kasi nung hindi ko pa alam na possitive ako working student po ako, ngaun na positive ako gusto ko pa din sana makapagtapos ng pag aaral un nga hindi ko alam kung paano at saan ako magsisimula, kasi habang tumatagal nawwalan din ako ng tiwala sa sarili ko, pero deep in side in my hearth andun ang eagerness ko na makapagtapos ako ng college at makatulong sa family ko i know its not the right to think, na eto na ung katapusan ng pangarap ko, gusto ko kahit paano makabalik ako sa pamumuhay ko nuon. pero mahirap gawin, alam kong hindi basta basta, hindi ko man na gustuhin na maging PLHIV andto na ako ang kailangan ko nalang lakas ng loob, sana matulungan nyo ako ako na makabalik sa dating ako, para sa akin mas mahirap kalaban ang mawalan ng tiwala sa sarili o self confidence, gusto ko matulungan nyo ako na magkawork nang makapag aral ako atnang makatulong ako sa tulad nating pozzie,

Join the TRR's International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2014

Please join The Project Red Ribbon's International Candlelight Memorial which will be held at the UP Sunken Garden and Grandstand on May 18, 2014 from 1pm to 8pm.

What to expect during the event?

1. There will be booths of advocacy groups in the Sunken Garden
2. There will be a FREE voluntary counselling and testing (VCT)
3. There will promotion of different HIV and AIDS programs
4. There will be readings of stories of PLHIV's who passed away because of AIDS
5. There will be singing and dancing.
6. Guest celebrities will join the event and share thoughts and wisdom.
7. Guest from different hubs, advocacy group, companies, foundations will give speeches.
8. 28 different organizations are joining the event, and expecting more to join.

What are you waiting for? Join us and be part of this important event!

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-

Want to be ASSISTED for the HIV TEST?? 

Check this link:

CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

If you have comments or questions, please click this link:

Contact Pozziepinoy

© Copyright. All Rights Reserved by Pozziepinoy 2012

Credits: 

Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines

OFW Needs Help

Hi,

I hope and pray that you can help me to go through this. I am diagnosed with HIV here in Qatar and i am about to go home to Philippines within the week. I need to go for second opinion thru proper HIV test. I hope i can personally see you. Thank you.

Got your contact number. I will be calling you soon. God bless.