DOH Declares AIDS Epidemic in the Philippines
Support Mounts for Secretary Cabral
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Health execs in east Visayas back Cabral on condoms
Department of Health officials in Eastern Visayas are standing by their embattled secretary who has been heavily chastised by Catholic bishops for the DOH condom distribution program.
Cabral: I’ll keep giving out condoms
In spite of calls from Catholic bishops to remove her from office, DOH Secretary Esperanza Cabral vowed to continue distributing condoms until her term ends. She has led the government information campaign on the ABCs in the fight against the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) - Abstinence, Being faithful, and Condoms.
Bishops want Cabral’s head over condoms
Catholic bishops want DOH Secretary Esperanza Cabral kicked out of office due to her condom-distribution program - part of the Department of Health's attempt to stem the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
First book on HIV and AIDS in the Philippines launched
AIDS in the Philippines, the first book that provides important information and a comprehensive account of Philippine experiences on HIV and AIDS, was launched last October 29, 2009 at Annabelle's, Tomas Morato during the Annual Membership Meeting of the AIDS Society of the Philippines at 1:00 in the afternoon.
For the first time in the 25-year history of HIV and AIDS in the Philippines, an extensive documentation on the changing trends and patterns of HIV infection and the country’s response is now in a book written by contributors who studied the beginnings of HIV infection until its increasingly rapid transmission among wider sectors of the population today. From 1984 to August 2009, the registry recorded a cumulative total of 4,082 cases. Unprotected sexual activities remain the most common mode of transmission.
Edited by Dr. Ofelia T. Monzon, who pioneered HIV investigative research studies that paved the way for early efforts to prevent further infection, AIDS in the Philippines contains 18 chapters authored by experts who have been at the core of scientific studies, clinical management, psychosocial responses, prevention, and policy making on HIV and AIDS.
The book will be up for sale in January 2010 at a standard retail price of PHP 2,500.00. Pre-selling price upon reservation for the book is sold at only PHP 2,000.00. Call ASP for your reservations. Read more
Filipino MSM and the epidemic of HIV infection
by Diana G. Mendoza
JR, 28, a single male professional, is currently seeing a girl. He wants to be married to a girl and have children someday. He has had romantic and sexual affairs with eight other females, including around 20 males. He avoids categorizing himself into such labels as gay or MSM (men having sex with men), but says he is into gay pornography, chatting in the Internet chat rooms for men who want to contact other men, and “cruising” in parks, second-run cinemas, and subdivisions. He reads a lot of stuff about men like him, but never forgets to know how to stay healthy and clean. “I have been in all kinds of sexual exploits, and there were only a few times that I failed to use a condom,” he said. At home and in the workplace, he is just one of the guys.
Marco, 20, is into his first job as an office assistant. College was just a year ago, but he remembers that he had his first same-sex relationships during this time, and he considers it educational. “I continue to meet up with boys my age. We act like regular guys on a night out, but I have constant sex with one of the boys,” he told an interview. He also had sex with two girls already. Asked if he uses condoms for protection during sex, he chuckled, “Is that necessary? I’m just starting.” He said he knows how to use condoms, “but it’s just disturbing when you have to put it on in the middle of it.”Read more