An epidemic rising

Last Sunday, I attended the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial and the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. Organized by the Project Red Ribbon (PRR), the twin events telescoped the gravity of our HIV-AIDS situation.

HIV infections have subsided in the rest of Asia, but not in the Philippines – and in Bangladesh. These are the only two Asian countries where the HIV infections continue to rise. In its AIDS Registry from 1984 to February 2015, the Department of Health (DOH) listed 1,167 Filipinos as having died of complications arising from AIDS. Nobody dies from AIDS; people die because their immune systems have been so weakened that opportunistic diseases wreak havoc and lay their bodies to waste.

In February 2015, there were 646 new cases of HIV infections. Of these 603 were asymptomatic, or the carrier of the HIV virus did not show any symptom. And of these new cases, 43 have become full-blown AIDS cases.

Of the February statistics, 310 were infected because of homosexual contact. But this need not make us conclude that HIV-AIDS is a “gay disease.” It is not one’s sexual orientation and gender identity that makes one infected. It is one’s unprotected sexual practices.

The latest count shows that 9,000 Persons Living With HIV-AIDS are undergoing anti-retroviral therapy, or ART. This does not cure AIDS, but ART strengthens the immune system so it could weather the opportunistic diseases waiting like crows outside one’s window.

But we are just talking here about the documented cases. What about those that have slipped through the net, those that were not detected by the radar? The DOH estimates that 80,000 Filipinos might have HIV-AIDS, but either they do not know it because they have not been tested – or they know it, and would rather forget about it, like ostriches burying their heads in the sand.

That is why the Project Red Ribbon held its twin celebrations last Sunday. This group also has 24-hour counseling. They can be reached at tel. 2151668 and they’re also on Facebook.

Another advocacy group, The Love Yourself Inc., also held a free HIV-testing activity in Manila. In cooperation with the DOH-Research Institute of Tropical Medicine, they also launched their second HIV-testing center at Units 2-6, 3rd floor, Anglo Building, 715-A Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong. It’s the yellow building after Starmall, a three-minute walk from the MRT station.

Called Love Yourself Anglo, it is a larger support facility than its original treatment hub at 1850 Leon Guinto Street, Malate (tel. 3538992), which services hundreds of clients weekly.

I attended its launch last June, and it’s a far cry from your traditional image of a drab and frightening testing center. Client confidentiality drove the architecture, which was done by renowned architect Dan Lichauco. The Protect the Goal, the football-based HIV prevention campaign that aims to promote HIV testing and safer-sex behavior, also kicked off on that day. The place offers free HIV testing and counseling services from 12 noon to 7 p.m., Wednesdays to Sundays. Their website is www.loveyourself.ph and they’re also on Facebook.

Another warm and welcoming place is Klinika Bernardo located behind Ramon Magsaysay Jr. High School in Cubao, Quezon City. I also attended its launch last December, which showcased how the formerly drab clinic leveled up and was redesigned: a man holding up green, leafy branches is its central symbol of hope.

DOH Assistant Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that the most number of HIV-AIDS cases are found in Greater Metro Manila (which includes parts of Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan), Cebu, and Davao. The rate of increase has also jumped: from one case every three days in the year 2000, “we now have 17 new cases every day.”

During the launch, I met again my former A student and now Quezon City Vice-Mayor Joy Belmonte. I always tease Joy about her health advocacy, for once I saw her in Gateway Mall talking to the housewives of Escopa about the importance of raspa. Henceforth, I would tease as the “Raspa Queen of the LGUs.”

At the launch, the Vice-Mayor said: “I think the problem with other LGUs is that they deny the HIV-AIDS problem exists because it’s something they are ashamed of. But here in Quezon City, because we have recognized the problem, we have allocated funds, looked for specialists to work with us, and partnered with organizations – both government and NGOs – to ensure that the problem is solved.”

This is also the LGU that has set up a one-stop shop at the Quezon City General Hospital where lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs) can have free medico-legal services and counseling. And the overarching victory of Quezon City is that it is the only place in the country that has passed a comprehensive ordinance on Anti-Discrimination Against LGBTs.

Joy told me that the most contentious part of the council debates was: Should transgenders have a separate toilet? In true Solomonic fashion, they followed the template of enlightened cities abroad. In Quezon City we will now have gender-free toilets, which can be used by LGBTs or straight people – as they deem fit.

Please listen also to “Remoto Control” on Radyo 5, 92.3 FM, every Monday and Thursday, 7-9 p.m., with a live telecast at Aksyon TV Channel 41. “Remoto Control” also goes on radio every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9-10 p.m. Comments can be sent to danton.lodestar@gmail.com –Danton Remoto (The Philippine Star)