What World AIDS Day Means to Me

Today, December 1, 2013 marks the WORLD AIDS DAY. As I was writing this Speech I was thinking about why am I doing this? Am I doing this for my fellow Persons Living with HIV and AIDS or am I doing this for myself?
I was diagnosed HIV+ on June 2010. That year has been a rough year for me, struggling to hang on with work while I am away from my family, constant battle with my sexuality & trying hard to live with the expectations of my relatives. 

When I was diagnosed, all came to a complete halt. Everything was not as same as it was before. I was overshadowed by complete darkness and I don’t know where to start again with my life or what is left of it. I cried buckets of tears thinking that I was totally useless, I was scared of disclosing my status for the fear of being judged, casted away, or hurt by the people I love and value the most.

The fact is, all my fears did happen. The first person who stigmatized and discriminated me were my own parents along with some of my relatives. It was like every day that I wake up everything just keeps getting worse.
What made me survive was HOPE, HOPE that accompanied me to each and every hardship that I endured. HOPE that shed light and directed me to a brighter future. HOPE that until now I am holding on to and made me pursue my new dreams.

I can say that I am a better, stronger, wiser person now. 

WORLD AIDS DAY is dedicated to raise awareness of the worldwide spread of the HIV Pandemic. And I have been an ADVOCATE for more than 2 years now and I have been struggling with what is really my purpose for doing this ADVOCACY. Well for me I only want one thing to happen, and that is to eventually reach the goal of “GETTING TO ZERO” and it starts with spreading awareness. We need to educate each and everyone in order for them to know the facts and correct misconceptions about the VIRUS. If we do that then we can eventually put an end to the increasing NEW HIV INFECTIONS, we can prevent cases of AIDS-RELATED DEATHS by making sure that they are enrolled in a Treatment Hub and seek proper Treatment and we can be able to stop the STIGMA & DISCRIMINATION attached with this Virus.

I finally get it know. I am not only doing this for myself or for my fellow PLHIV’s but I’m doing this for everyone. I am sharing my story in order to inspire them and make them realize that it is really happening and will definitely not stop until each and everyone of us will do our part to put an end to it.

EDUCATION is our best weapon to fight the VIRUS. So let us spread awareness not only today but let’s do it everyday.

JAKE POSITIVE

ADVOCATE / HIV COUNSELOR / PEER EDUCATOR / HIV +

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

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

-Pozziepinoy-

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Image by FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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

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What World AIDS Day Means to Me

A few years ago, whenever Dec 1 would appear in the calendar, 2 things were coming to front in my mind. First, I know that the following day would be no work for us because it is Pasay City Day and our office is in that city. And second, because I know that it is World AIDS Day. Back then, WAD's significance to me was the number of people who got infected and the number of deaths due to the virus. In other words, I was just interested with the cold stats that HIV/AIDS provides.

As the years passed and I had become involved with an advocacy involving commercial sex workers, it was becoming evident that I will have to deal with the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS as this was a path that seemed to be a natural course to be taken by the CSW whom I deal with on an increasing frequency. 

I now see the problems of discrimination and the stigma the disease carries that burdens the people who are infected. And I also now see the challenges that both the government and the private sector faces because of the growing number of people getting infected. 
But when that fateful day arrived when HIV came face to face with me and our family because of a family member being diagnosed positive, the impact was just overwhelming. Needless to say, our lives were never the same again. 

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What World AIDS Means to Me

At first World Aids Day for me is just an ordinary day. I never thought that in one particular time it will mean a lot for me. In the past 2 years I have experienced a few ups and downs and I know that it is still a long way to go unlike those predecessors that I have. I haven’t even experienced half of what they had in their lives. There are still moments that I ask myself will I be able to do it? Will I be able to keep my strength going? Until when can I endure the pain of seeing people like me getting discriminated and stigmatized because of their status?

I have already met a lot of different people with different backgrounds, beliefs, practices, ideals and goals. There are only a few of us who continue on fighting for what we believe is right. Trying all that we can to make a difference. It is a difficult road however if we hold hands together we will be able to make it even in the toughest road that we will face.

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What World AIDS Day Means to Me

Greetings of peace to all of you, aking mga minamahal na kapatid.
Noel E. Bordador, NYC/USA

I came out as a gay man in the 1980s when the world was just trying to understand what later became known as HIV/AIDS.  No one knew what the strange illness that was affecting mostly gay men.  Before it was known as HIV/or AIDS, it used to be referred to as GRID or Gay Related Infectious Disease. Soon, we suffered a great deal of loss of lives in our community. Because it was happening mostly to gay men, many thought that it was a punishment from God, and so many people referred to HIV/AIDS as WOG or Wrath of God (Isn’t that terrible?) The early years of the epidemic were marked by despair, fear and a sense of helplessness. We soon realized that no one would take care of us except us(!) So we galvanized, we organized, we protested and we fought like crazy to get attention and better access to treatment.  Support and community brought us hope and made us fight our own sense of hopelessness. With the advent of new medications thirteen years later after the first diagnosis of HIV/AIDS,, there was MORE hope. People did not automatically die of AIDS-related complications. People were living longer. (I know of people- CLOSE FRIENDS!!!- who are living well with HIV or AIDS for the last thirty years!) And with further advances in medicine, HIV/AIDS became a chronic yet manageable illness. People can live with HIV or AIDS and at the same time pursue the life they want to live. But medications only work hand in hand with a lively sense of hope- hope that people can live longer with the help of treatment and emotional and spiritual support. HIV or AIDS is not a death sentence. You’ve got to believe in treatment. Without hope, however, people lose their reason to live and some stop caring for their health and well-being.  You have to fight hopelessness and despair in order to live.

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What World AIDS Day Means To Me

for Mirvan Ereon

Hi Viral Brothers and Sisters.  What is World AIDS Day and what does it mean to me?  

World AIDS Day is held on December 1st each year.  According to the Foundation of AIDS Research, at the end of calender year 2012, more than 35 million people were living with HIV/AIDS, 3.3 million of them were under the age of 15 and since the beginning of the epidemic, more than 75 million people have contracted HIV and nearly 36 million have died of HIV-related causes.

These are very alarming statistics but what can I do about it?  I'm just one person.  How can I make a difference? 

This is what World AIDS Day means to me.  It means each and every single person making a difference!  It is a time for reflection followed by action.  I remember and reflect on those who have passed and think of those currently living with HIV.  I remember the 1980's in Sydney Australia before triple combination of ARVs (Anti Retroviral Drugs) were developed. Back then, HIV almost always lead to AIDS which almost always lead to death.  Now it is a chronic, manageable condition.  I think of Africa, South East Asia and particularly in the Philippines in 2013.  It makes me determined that history will not unnecessarily repeat itself.
   
There are numerous things that ordinary people like you I can do this World AIDS Day and continue throughout the years to come to make a difference. 

These are just 7 to begin with.

1).  The number one thing you can do on World AIDS Day is to get tested for HIV and make sure you know your status.  The vast majority of new infections occur because HIV+ people don't know they are HIV+.

 2).  Make your voice heard via the ballot box.  Ensure your elected officials know you care about HIV and want to see them take action.  Write letters and/or emails to them so your voice is heard.  Ask your MP to show HIV leadership this World AIDS Day and every day by ending stigma and discrimination!

3).  Use social media.  If you have a Facebook or a Twitter account, add a red ribbon to your user photo, post a HIV/AIDS awareness red ribbon or symbol on your time line or tweet one.  It's easily done and it reminds all your friends and followers that HIV/AIDS is still a global pandemic.  Write a post saying what world AIDS Day means to you.  Join a group on social media that is dedicated to raising HIV/AIDS awareness ans advocating on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS.   

4).  Educate your local GP and Nurses.  If there isn't an NGO in your area, form a group of concerned citizens an encourage health care professionals in your area to update, or just gain some knowledge of HIV.  Those HIV+ people who die, do so in part, due to a late diagnosis.  GPs and nurses are often in a position to identify symptoms of HIV infection if they are aware of them.  They are also able to consider other risk factors, if they know what they are, that could lead them to recommend an HIV test.

5).  Demand that Governments improve HIV education in schools, or to initiate it if it doesn't exist.  Ignorance is not bliss!

6).  Talk to your local religious/faith leaders.  In some areas this may prove difficult.  However, it is better to begin a reasoned dialogue than shout at each other from across an abyss.  If you cannot find a religious leader in your area who is willing to be supportive, try searching for one online.  Often adverse reactions of a religious community can have very detrimental on the health of people living with HIV who have strong religious beliefs.  If a person feels they have the support and understanding of their community, this is likely to have a decidedly positive impact on the way they manage their HIV response.  However, if a person feels rejected or unsupported they may very well become isolated and are far less likely to stay well.  

7).  Reflect for a moment.  Remember those who have passed and think of those currently living with HIV.  Let their images and memories energize and galvanize you into action today, and every other day!

So Viral Brothers and Sisters, get active, get tested, stay healthy and, if you’re HIV+, compliant with your ARV regimen,

Malcolm Brown  
PLHIV 

"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

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December 1 is World AIDS Day

Come and Support

The Red Ribbon

WORLD AIDS DAY

December 1, 2013

UP Sunken Garden Grandstand

at 4pm

Hear our voices.

Honor those who we have lost.

Commit to the Advocacy.

It is time to join hands.

"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

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WAD Commemorated in the Philippines

by Jersey  M.
Philippine Contributor

Since 1998 World AIDS Day has been held annually on December 1 to raise awareness of the Spread of HIV/AIDS and its victims. The 2012 theme is -- and will be until 2015 -- "Getting to Zero: Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination. Zero AIDS Related Deaths.”  Across the globe , people unite to show their support for people living with HIV and honour those who have died. Currently according to the World Health Organization, 37 million people are living with HIV.

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World AIDS Day: What It Means To Me

"World AIDS Day is a reminder that HIV is everyone's concern."

Dr. Rossana A. Ditangco
Head
AIDS Research Group
Department of Health
Research Institute for Tropical Medicine

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World AIDS Day: What It Means To Me

"World AIDS Day for me is an awakening for everyone,  that we all have to be vigilant about the spread of HIV and how we can prevent it. It is also the time to change the stigma attached to having HIV as a curse.

Having this kind of illness won't stop you from dreaming and it will drive you to soar and aim high for a dream."


Leander M. Mogol
RMT
RITM Satellite Clinic

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World AIDS Day: What It Means To Me

World AIDS Day, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.

It's the day of commemorating the ones we lost and the ones who are suffering from the disease.......

Maram Bartolome

Nurse/Data Encoder

RITM-ARG

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World AIDS Day: What It Means To Me

Every day is World AIDS Day since the DOH estimated that there are 9 infections every day in the Philippines. The World AIDS Day, which happens every first day of December is for me a very special day. It’s a day found within the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence and the celebration of the Human Rights Month.

World AIDS Day for me means three things; it is about the principles of dignity, rights, and responsibility. In line with UNAIDS’s strategic campaign on Getting to Zero, I link dignity for the promotion of Zero Discrimination, human rights for the promotion of Zero AIDS-related conditions and human responsibility for the promotion of Zero Infection.

This 2012 World AIDS Day we have launched the “Thrice the Zero and be a Hero” campaign as the contribution the sex worker communities and those afflicted with drugs to rollback HIV by 2015. This work gives meaning to my life as well as fulfillment as an advocate of dignity, rights and responsibility.

John Piermont Montilla
Former male prostitute

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Worlds AIDS Day: What It Means To Me

Today is World's AIDS Day but I hope it will be the start of a new perpective in life among PLHIV's, HIV advocates, parents, counselors and the community as a whole.

My awareness with this condition started way back in the eighties as I have been raised by family members working in medical and health related profession. Eventually, I have to be in this field as well in college and eventually pursued  the medical profession and part of my work is to continue to learn the current concepts on this condition.

It is true indeed that the advances in medicine have been very tremendous during the past 20 years and PLHIV's today are considered to have ' better' opportunities for the best health care services as we know have a lot of  ' free' social hygiene clinics for testing, more accessible medications, more understanding of the course and more options to do researches on this conditions in the advent of  the world wide web.

In  a resource-strained country like the Philippines, our best option is to advocate for early testing and know one's status since a whole lot of things can be done if you are still in your best health at the time of diagnosis through preventive health activities and educations like proper diet, exercise, good rest, taking supplements , good personal hygiene and environmental sanitations. These are actually even applicable to even people not affected by HIV and these are without any side effects. By being optimistic about all of these, living one's life among HIV positive to near normal life expectancy is definitely possible but everyday should be lived with commitment towards that goal.

For those into ARV already, the best option is work closely with your doctors, family members and friends to get the full benefits of the intervention. Consolidating your health care providers with family and friends will maximize your speed towards recovery and  claim back your life. Doing research by yourself will also help especially in this era of internet. Living a good life and joy with this condition can be challenging but definitely possible. There are a lot of sources of joy in life...enjoying time with friends, families, commit to a hobby , interest, advocacy and spiritual pursuits. Of course, money will always be a part of your journey toward recovery but again if you can consolidate all the people in your life who can help you together then it will become affordbale and practical. Its just important to find people who can share on your journey towards long life.

Lastly, education.. continuous education to be exact is very very important to prevent and control the spread of this condition.

The natural course and epidemiology of this condition is no longer confined in the medical books or among doctors. The Center for Disease Control website of the US is a very good and reliable storage and knowledge for this condition. Its just imperative to gain knowledge and information from the proper forum and not from hearsays.

Eradication of  HIV spread is a work in progress. Living with it up to your normal life expectancy is doable if you are commited. Researches for cure are taking steps forward from China to South Africa. Everthing is possible and we just have to believe.

Philip Tjr.

Medical Practitioner

HIV/AIDS Advocate

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World AIDS Day: What It Means To Me

"People in all walks of life should take part in actively disseminating the life threatening effects of this silent disease. It's timely to have our personal health check including our social status assessment."

Ace Nunez Bascones
HIV Advocate

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World AIDS Day: What It Means To Me

"Today is World AIDS Day. I hope to see a day when we do not have to be scared & ignorant and where people will live and not die of HIV. I hope to see the Philippines being free from HIV & AIDS and where people whose lives were inflicted and affected by this virus will live in a society that is genuinely understanding, accepting and loving and not discriminating, hurting and self-righteous. 

But that hope needs action. An action that should start within myself. That I pledge to tirelessly support all efforts to end discrimination among people living with HIV and to continue advocating for every human life worth of mutual dignity and respect. In these simple ways, I pledge to take action."

Alvin Dakis
President & CEO, Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders & Advocates International
Health Committee Chairperson, National Anti-Poverty Commission Youth & Students Sectoral Council, 
Office of the President

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World AIDS Day: What It Means To Me

"A day of celebration of our struggles in our crusade against the stigma with HIV and AIDS."

James Fritz Freire

Yoga Teacher and Dancer

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World AIDS Day: What It Means To Me

"World AIDS day, it may be just once a year but it brings hope to millions of people that they are not alone in their journey. As we commemorate this annual event let us offer a moment of prayer  as we continue our battle against AIDS because God told us, 

Psalm 31:24
Contemporary English Version
All who trust the LORD be cheerful and strong."

Cesar Patrick F. Bonales
Chairman Rainbow Pilipinas Production
HIV/AIDS Ministry Head Ekklesia Tou Theou (Church of GOD)
www.ettcog.weebly.com
Peer Educator and Counselor, Love Yourself and DOH – RITM
Member, AMNESTY International

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World AIDS Day: What It Means To Me

"For me, World AIDS Day means highlighting the three As, Awareness of what the problem is and that it exists, Affirmation that we have not forgotten our brothers and sisters who are living with HIV, and Actions that we need to take to get to zero."


Ron de Vera
Educator / LGBT Activist

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World AIDS Day: What It Means To Me

This is the time for everyone to be aware of AIDS, how we acquire it and how we can prevent it. We are not condemning homosexuality but with being aware we can be safe from AIDS and still express our love to whoever deserves our affection. 


Albert Jon Vergara
HIV Advocate

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World AIDS Day: What It Means To Me

"Nobody has to die from AIDS. All it takes is to prevent the growing infection and death and having openmindedness and acceptance, that people have different sexual behaviors, and that for many, the lowly condom is magical technology!"

Junice L. Demetrio Melgar

Hiv Advocate

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World AIDS Day: What It Means To Me

"For me it is the day that all people living with the said illness has an opportunity to get a general knowledge regarding with this virus and how to live with a normal life in behalf of this illness.  It’s not only for the person who has affected with HIV AIDS but also to all people who are sexually active and not doing a safe sex and to get great information of it and how to respect all the victims of this virus."

Marlon Magpusao
HIV Advocate

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