Hontiveros Pushes for a National Multi-Sectoral Strategy vs. HIV

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday pushed for the implementation of a national multi-sectoral strategy to address the rising incidence of HIV and AIDS in the country amidst reports that there will be 133,000 people living with HIV in the Philippines by 2022.

In a press conference in Quezon City attended by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups and organized by the DANGAL National Network, Hontiveros said that from 6,015 total cases in 2010, HIV/AIDS incidence in the country rose to a total of 33,419 during just the first quarter of 2016.

"The situation we face is dire," the senator said.

"The rapid increase in the last six years reflects an alarming landscape: the HIV is expanding in urban centers of the country, affecting disproportionately populations and communities that are marginalized and vulnerable: young Filipinos, gay and bisexual men, transgender people, and people who use drugs," Hontiveros added.

As a response, Hontiveros, who is also the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, filed Senate Bill No. 376 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Bill to introduce an evidence-based, human rights-informed, and gender-transformative HIV prevention and treatment plan.

Hontiveros said her bill will formulate a six-year National Multi-Sectoral HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan, which will incorporate a prevention program that will have a strong focus on education and accessibility of reproductive health services.

“80% of new infections come from men having sex with men. The median age of those diagnosed with HIV is below 35 years old” Hontiveros lamented. “At a time when stigma overrules government policies on this important health issue, we need to underscore that the foundation of curbing HIV must be based on the protection of human rights” she said.

The Senator maintained that new developments in prevention and treatment are available and must be maximized by the government. “Early diagnosis leads to early treatment and saves lives. Prevention, early detection and treatment must be made available by the government”, Hontiveros explained.

Hontiveros’ bill also seeks a comprehensive, inclusive and localized response towards HIV-AIDS. If passed, it will repeal Republic Act 8504 or the Philippine HIV AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998.

Care Divas Take the Stage to Raise Funds for HIV Advocacy

Wazzup Pilipinas!

LoveYourself, Inc. in partnership with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) invites everyone to the 3:00 p.m. show of Care Divas on 5 February 2017 at the PETA Theater Centre in New Manila, Quezon City.

“This partnership with PETA is also a great way of tapping the arts as a means to educate the public not just with the plight of OFWs but with the struggles of the LGBT community including the stigma on HIV and social limitations,” LoveYourself Executive Director Ronivinn G. Pagtakhan said.

Care Divas will be re-staged as PETA’s flagship production for its 50th anniversary. It is a musical drama that tells the story of five transgender Overseas Filipino Workers in Israel who work as care givers and take the stage as drag queen performers at night. The production focuses on the struggle of these transgender women as they seek acceptance in a foreign land while making ends meet not just for themselves but for their families in the Philippines.

While the hit-musical will run from 3 February to 19 March, only the 3:00 p.m. show on 5 February is dedicated to LoveYourself.

Pagtakhan relayed that “All proceeds of the show will support the organization’s clinic operations and activities as it pushes for HIV awareness and caters to the needs of people living with HIV.” He also noted how the tie-up may shed light to the pressing issue of HIV involving OFWs.

Blue Palawan International Kiteboard Open 2017: 10 Days of Fun in Puerto Princesa, Palawan

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Blue Palawan International Kiteboard Open recently held it press conference or media launch to formally invite interested participants and spectators to come join them for 10 days of fun under the sun to compete, spectate, relax and join in on the good times on and off the waters of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The media launch was held at Handle Bar in Makati on January 10, 2017 and was led by the main organizer and professional kiteboarder Paula Rosales representing the Philippines. She was also with professional kiteboarders Eric Rienstra from the USA, James Boulding of the UK and Manuela Jungo of Switzerland. 

Paula Rosales, one of the top female freestyle kite boarders in Asia, spoke on behalf of Blue Palawan and the local riders from Boracay, and their recent partnership with the Department of Tourism.

The four announced their inaugural event of the season: the 2017 Blue Palawan International Kiteboard Open. The highly anticipated and successful kiteboarding event initiated last year is back for its second run as the first event of the world renowned Kite Park League Tour. Kicking things off with a qualifying event held at Blue Palawan in beautiful Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island, Philippines on February 6th & 7th. 

The qualifier is open to anyone and is your chance to compete alongside the world’s best kite boarding park riding talent at the world's most tropical kite park. The top two men and two women from the qualifier will join the invited 24 riders on Tuesday February 7th for opening celebrations and will collectively compete for their chance at the title during the main event to immediately follow the open qualifier from February 8th to 16th.