While we visit the dead, contemplate how many of our fellow Pinoys will die of AIDS. We are the cure. A call for the living just in time we celebrate All Soul's Day is a perfect opportunity to spread awareness on the growing numbers of Filipinos living with HIV. Bloggers were invited to attend the media launch of Niccolo Cosme's Project Headshot Clinic Unite campaign at Mango Tree Bistro Restaurant at BHS Central last week.
After his stint in Resplendor in New York, it was delightful to meet the genius visual artist Niccolo Cosme promoting Project Headshot Clinic's new campaign UNITE. On its 5th year, the call for HIV awareness continues because the numbers are exponentially increasing because of each of our indifference to the campaign. From last year's 8K is this year's 10, 541 HIV infected Filipinos that may multiply by 100% every two years if we do not unite to help our fellow Filipinos. We are definitely the cure because it is through each of our efforts to keep educating the majority who are not aware of the numbers that we also save the rest from being careless and infected with HIV.
HIV is Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome were the topics discussed and it was ensure that before we get to the photoshoot to share the awareness campaign, we were given a pre-test to check our knowledge on the matter. I have learned a lot from the seminar/training on HIV/AIDS last year from Take The Test's Ryan Pinili who taught me at AIDS Society of the Philippines. In the absence of a specific treatment, it was reported that half of those People Living with HIV (PLHIV) develop AIDS within ten years. If less than 10% of the population is taking the test (which is simply and more commonly a FREE test on counting your antigens and not really the AIDS test reported to be expensive not available in the Philippines), then what would the majority avail if not given the proper treatment?
Philippines is one of the seven countries reported to have a rising HIV infection according to the World Health Organization and our awareness to the disease is the only cure. What should we know to be aware basically? First how HIV is transmitted, 1. unprotected sexual intercourse (including anal and even oral sex) 2. contaminated blood transfusion and hypodermic needles 3. from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. There is no cure for prevention except we practice the ABCDE. A- Abstain from sex on HIV/AIDS, B-be mutually faithful, C- consistent and correct use of condoms, D- do not do drugs and do not share needles, and E-educate yourself. There is no cure or vaccine to cure AIDS however there is an antiretroviral treatment that can slow the course of the disease and may lead to a near-normal life expectancy.
On Dec.2, 2012, the world will celebrate World AIDS Day and before that, barely a month before our pictures on Facebook become viral again because of Niccolo Cosme's Project Headshot Clinic's UNITE campaign, it is high time we all contemplate how we value our lives and the lives of each of our family members. If we love ourselves, our family and our country, it is the perfect time to UNITE. This is an urgent call for the living as we celebrate All Soul's Day. It is time to unite. Let's all spread awareness to get #zeroHIVPH. For more information, visit http://www.projectheadshotclinic.com, like them on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/headshotclinic, https://www.facebook.com/takethetest, https://www.facebook.com/TheRedWhistle and follow them on Twitter @headshot_clinic