Kent was 21 years old in 2021 when he was diagnosed with human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV). He thought it would be the end of his life until he learned that there were support systems that would help him despite the illness.

“I had suicidal tendencies when I was diagnosed with HIV during the pandemic. I did not know what to do or whether I should tell my family about my condition,” Kent shared during the commemoration of the International Condom Day on Sunday at the People’s Park in this city.

Realizations

“As a young boy, I already felt that I was different, I was more attracted to boys than girls. Reaching my teenage years, the feeling became stronger, and going to college allowed me to express what I felt,” he said in Ibaloi, an indigenous language spoken in northern Luzon.

Studying in Baguio and living in a boarding house on his own gave Kent the freedom to explore and be himself.

“I contemplated how I arrived at such a situation and I remembered that I dated guys and I admit I was not cautious,” he said.

“My daily life is bounded by making myself healthy, continuing to take the prescribed medicines and I am able to overcome,” he said.

Kent said he wanted to share his experience to make people realize the importance of ensuring one’s safety and protection.

Darwin Babon, HIV-AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) coordinator of the Department of Health in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR), said Kent is one of the 1,248 individuals diagnosed to be HIV-positive in the region from 1984 to November 2024. Of the number, 1,159 are males, and 605 are between the ages of 25 to 34.

The Philippines started to monitor HIV-AIDS cases in 1984.

Babon said, “We advocate testing so that people become aware of their situation. They get their medication and they live a normal life.”

He also stressed the importance of testing to curb the spread of the virus.

He noted that the DOH has become more active in educating the public about HIV, which was initially considered a life sentence, but which is not.

With the advocacy for testing, there were 170 individuals found positive for the virus from January to November 2024, of whom 114 were males having sex with males only. At least 15 of those who tested positive for HIV were overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Additional protection

During the commemoration of International Condom Day in Baguio, Pia Wurtzback, Miss Universe 2015, said, “Condom is more than just a barrier, they are a symbol of self-respect, mutual care and responsibility.”

She added: “Let us spread the message even louder for more people especially the youth to have the right resources, right mindset, to make safer and healthier choices.”

Advocating for safety

Joshua Liyo, a 20-year-old nursing student at the Benguet State University (BSU) and a volunteer at the Ajuwan Community Center in the advocacy against HIV-AIDS, said: “As a future nurse, I do not want to take care of a patient who is infected with HIV and my advocacy is prevention, avoidance of getting the illness that is why I am volunteering for the information, education, campaign and counseling.”

Joshua said he did not know anything about HIV until he joined Ajuwan and he is happy with his humble contribution to the protection of people, especially the youth. (PNA)