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Cases of HIV infections in the Philippines have surged more than four-fold from 2012 to 2023, prompting the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to call the country's "epidemic" as the "fastest growing" in the Western Pacific region.
The Filipino youth, including teenagers, has been profoundly impacted by the virus, especially in recent years. Experts have pointed to exposure to social media and dating apps as a key factor of this concerning rise.
In the midst of all these, two Filipinos come to terms that they will live with the virus for the rest of their lives—then find hope and meaning in their journey, not just for themselves, but for others as well.
“Hindi kailangang huminto ang buhay mo nang dahil sa dalawang pulang guhit—hindi niya kailangang matigil, hindi niya kailangang magbago.”
(Your life doesn't have to stop because of two red lines—it doesn't have to end, it doesn't have to change.)
At 19 years old, this was what Gabi told himself after testing positive for the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. Today, he hopes other young HIV patients would connect with his view as they walk the same daunting path.
Now a 20-year-old college student, Gabi recalls using sex as a coping mechanism for a stressful academic year. He admitted making reckless decisions, constantly hooking up with different partners, despite knowing the possible consequences of his actions.
True enough, come mid-November last year, his body started changing. He was hospitalized for two days due to fatigue, which he said was suspiciously random. The lymph nodes behind his ears also became swollen. All these were signs of an HIV infection.
College student Gabi found out he was positive for HIV in April 2024. Despite struggling to disclose his condition with his family, he hopes that other young FIlipinos living with HIV will remain strong amid the challenges they face. Courtesy: Gabi
HIV attacks the immune system, particularly cells that help the body fight infections. It may spread through unprotected sex, sharing of injections, blood-to-blood transfusion, or even maternal-to-fetal transmission during pregnancy.
Without proper healthcare, HIV can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, commonly known as AIDS.
One has to get tested to know his or her HIV status. A “reactive” result means that the test reacted to something in the blood, which could be a sign of an HIV infection, but does not automatically translate to positivity. Follow up tests are needed to confirm whether or not one really has an infection.
In Gabi’s case, two lines appeared in his rapid blood test taken last April, indicating that he was reactive. A confirmatory test also showed a positive result, which sounded the alarm for him. Despite the shock, the teenage student had a different outlook—he knew he needed to bounce back from the disease.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Philippines is “experiencing the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Western Pacific region,” with a 411% increase in daily HIV cases from 2012 to 2023.
Cases dropped sharply during the height of the pandemic to 8,031 in 2020 from 12,723 the year before, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
Since then, the numbers have been on an upward trend, with 12,329 in 2021, then 14,935 in 2022, and eventually to 17,254 in 2023. By the end of 2024, the DOH expects the total caseload to reach 215,400.
Data from the DOH also showed that an average of 37 HIV cases per day were detected from January to March 2024. This number even climbed to as many as 58 cases per day from April to June 2024.
In total, the new HIV cases spiked from 3,409 during the first quarter of the year to 5,321 in the second quarter. However, the daily cases slightly decreased to 50 daily cases from July to September, bringing the total to 4,595.
The regions with the highest number of newly reported cases were the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Davao Region, accounting for 72% of the total cases from July to September 2024.
The DOH also logged 459 fatalities due to any cause among HIV-positive individuals from July to September, a big jump from the 154 deaths during the same period in 2023.
In terms of age, those in the younger age groups—including underage patients—dominated the new infections.
Out of the 4,595 new HIV cases from July to September 2024, data showed that nearly half or 2,179 cases were 25 to 34 years old. The 15 to 24 age bracket comprised 32% or 1,472 HIV-positive individuals.
In total, there were 471 cases among children 14 years old and below, and 41,219 cases among the youth aged 15 to 24.
For the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), an attached agency of the DOH, social media became a big factor in the rise of HIV cases, especially in the 15 to 24 age bracket.
“Nakikita nating malaking factor ang social media—use of internet, accessibility of information, mga iba’t ibang sites, mga dating sites,” PNAC Secretariat executive director Joselito Feliciano said.
(We see that social media is a big factor in the rise of HIV cases—the use of the internet and accessibility to information, a plethora of websites, including dating sites.)
Vain, now a 30-year-old volunteer HIV counselor, was exposed to various dating apps when he moved to Manila from Iloilo in 2015.
Adjusting to the capital’s dynamic lifestyle and culture, Vain, who was still in his early 20s at that time, discovered that a lot could be done when meeting different people from all walks of life. The thrill of getting to know strangers online was what drove him to explore new things, particularly sexual activities, that he wasn’t able to do before.
“Parang lahat ng mga hindi ko na-experience actually with my sex partners back in the province, na-experience ko na siya when I was in Manila. Iba ‘to. Iba ‘yung excitement at iba pala ‘yung feeling that you get to know more about yourself especially in sex,” he said.
(All the things I didn't experience with my sex partners back in the province, I experienced when I was in Manila. It's different. It’s a different kind of excitement getting to know more about myself, especially in sex.)
“Siguro the only thing that happened to me was that hindi ko na-control ‘yung excitement ko to the point na parang abusive na pala ‘yung paggamit ko ng dating app,” he lamented.
(Maybe the only thing that happened was that I wasn’t able to control my excitement to the point that my use of dating apps became abusive.)
Despite knowing the risks of HIV and AIDS, Vain continued with his lifestyle and even became more reckless in his sexual activities after testing non-reactive during his first screening in 2016.
Things took a turn for the worse in the last quarter of 2017 when his symptoms started showing—rapid weight loss, fatigue, recurrent fever, and rashes. During that time, all his laboratory test results were normal.
He then started researching about the changes in his body, which he said even his doctors could not explain. For months, he looked up on the internet what could possibly be causing his condition. He became anxious and started overthinking.
Then, he met someone online who recommended that he visit a facility where people could get HIV testing for free. Already receiving similar advice from his doctor to get tested, Vain decided to go.
It was March 2018 when Vain went to the primary hub of nonprofit AIDS advocacy group LoveYourself in Mandaluyong City. Right then and there, he was tested and everything made complete sense: He was reactive to HIV.
LoveYourself has 10 branches across the country. It also has community-based organizations that cater HIV-related concerns. These may be accessed through LoveYourself’s website. GISELLE OMBAY
“Hindi naging masyadong mabigat for me kasi before ako pumunta ng [testing hub], I knew I was ready kasi three months ‘yung ini-spend ko [mag-research]. Sa loob nu’n, pinrocess ko na rin sa self ko in case I was positive,” he explained.
(It wasn't too difficult for me because before I went to the testing hub, I knew that I was ready because I already spent three months doing research. During that time, I already processed what could happen in case I was positive.)
Being away from his family in Iloilo, Vain initially broke the news to his newfound family in Manila. The lesbian couple who took him in even became the first people to shed tears about his condition, thinking that his days were numbered.
He still remembers how his friends and family threw a big celebration for his 24th birthday, in case it would be his last.
In Gabi’s case, his friends became his sanctuary while leading the university student life away from home. However, seven months after testing positive, his family in Parañaque still had no idea about his health condition.
Telling his family upfront that he was now a person with HIV remains to be a challenge for Gabi as he fears that they might think differently of him. At home, he is known as the bright child, the cheerful, the flamboyant one—and he does not want to be seen any other way.
“Maybe the only thing that happened was that I wasn’t able to control my excitement to the point that my use of dating apps became abusive.” —Vain, HIV-positive volunteer counselor
“Alam mong mayroon silang bakas ng dumi na pag-iisip doon sa ganong klaseng bagay. Na alam mo na kahit mahal mo sila, nahihirapan kang i-disclose kasi ayaw mong maging cautionary tale sa pamilya niyo,” Gabi said.
(You know that they are thinking of something unpleasant. That even though you love them, you find it difficult to disclose it to them because you don't want to be a cautionary tale for your family.)
“Parang mahal ka nila, totoo naman ‘yan. Parang ie-embrace ka, there's that acceptance. Pero alam mo, there's just that lingering thought na mayroon at mayroong kaunting bakas ng dumi na nasa isip nila na nakaakibat do’n sa dahil PLHIV ka na.”
(They love you, that’s true. They will embrace you and will accept you. However, there’s just this lingering thought that they might think less of you because you are now a person living with HIV.)
Right now, Gabi said he is preparing himself for the day when he can finally open up about his condition to his family, hopefully next year.
Both Gabi and Vain were in the 15 to 25 age group—the bracket where HIV cases in the Philippines are rapidly increasing—when they tested positive.
Aware of the implications of being HIV positive at such a young age, both of them kept their chins up, received medical treatment, and continued living. This time with a purpose.
In total, the new HIV cases spiked from 3,409 during the first quarter of 2024 to 5,321 in the second quarter. However, the daily cases slightly decreased to 50 daily cases from July to September, bringing the total to 4,595. GISELLE OMBAY
For LoveYourself, which is composed of volunteers committed to address the HIV epidemic in the country, people living with HIV could still lead long, happy lives despite the challenges.
HIV and AIDS are indeed lifelong conditions. However, Danvic Rosadiño, Head of Programs and Innovations at LoveYourself, said living with the virus does not have to be a lonely battle because HIV—although still uncurable—is already manageable now.
“Imagine kung ang usapin ng HIV ay kung paano lang natin pag-usapan ang cancer or diabetes. There's no shame involved. Parte pa rin ito ng buhay natin at mayroon tayong magagawa,” Rosadiño explained.
(Imagine if we talk about the issue of HIV just like how we talk about cancer or diabetes. There's no shame involved. It's still part of our lives and we can do something about it.)
“Nasa panahon na tayo ngayon na HIV is not a death sentence anymore. Marami tayong magagawa para ma-prevent ang HIV, ma-prevent na makuha, o ma-prevent na mapasa,” he added.
(We are now at a point when HIV is not a death sentence anymore. There are many things we can do to prevent getting HIV, prevent contracting the virus, and prevent its transmission.)
The Philippines has come a long way in the fight against the virus since it recorded its first HIV infection in 1984. However, despite medication and treatments now being readily available in hospitals and health centers nationwide, an actual cure for HIV is still beyond reach.
To prevent the risk of getting an HIV infection, physicians may prescribe a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) pill that can be taken at home.
According to DOH, PrEP has been found to be “highly effective” in preventing HIV infection, particularly for those at higher risk, like people with multiple sexual partners. It can also be given to pregnant HIV-positive mothers to prevent their babies from contracting the virus.
For patients already dealing with HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART) may be prescribed to allow their immune systems to get stronger and help fight other infections.
In celebration of Pride Month 2022, LoveYouself conducted programs such as HIV awareness and free HIV screening to help improve the health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ members and to reduce health disparities, bullying, and discrimination within the sector and their loved ones. Courtesy: LoveYourself/Facebook
The daily intake of antiretroviral drugs prevents the virus from replicating in the body, and once the number of copies is 200 or less, the HIV viral load is considered “undetectable.”
“‘Yun ‘yung tinatawag natin na U is equals to U (U=U). [If] undetectable na ‘yung viral load, it’s equal to untransmittable. So hindi ka makakahawa kasi nga mababa ang viral load mo. Hindi mo lang mapo-protect sarili, pati ‘yung ibang tao,” Feliciano of PNAC said.
(That's what we call U=U. Undetectable viral load means it’s untransmissible. So, you won't get infected because your viral load is low. Not only do you protect yourself, but other people as well.)
The ART is taken orally every day for a lifetime. However, some people with HIV take it once a day while others take it twice a day, depending on the doctor’s prescription.
PrEP and antiretroviral drugs cost about P1,500 per bottle and can only be acquired in HIV hubs, but some facilities such as LoveYourself clinics offer it for free.
Under Republic Act 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the DOH is also tasked to establish a program providing free and accessible ART and designate public and private hospitals to become treatment hubs.
“Libre ‘yung gamot natin. ‘Yun ‘yung pinakamaganda sa lahat—libre ‘yung gamot, libre ‘yung testing basta sa government hospital,” PNAC’s Feliciano said.
(The medicines are free. That’s the best of all—the medicines and testing kits are free as long as they are accessed in government hospitals.)
“With PrEP, may certain cases na free siya. Pero kung dahil sa recreational post-exposure, hindi po, unless nag-positive siya for HIV (With PrEP, there are certain cases where it is free. But this isn’t the case if it is due to recreational post-exposure, not unless he tests positive for HIV),” Tarroza said.
For newly diagnosed HIV patients, ART is taken for six months. Patients will also need to undergo consecutive HIV tests as often as weekly for a year to regularly check their viral load. Once it is ascertained that the medication works, additional HIV testing can be done yearly.
In the United States, researchers are also looking at an antiretroviral drug which may be a potential game-changer in the fight against HIV.
According to Danvic Rosadiño, Head of Programs and Innovations at LoveYourself, around 100 people are getting tested daily in their HIV hubs. Of this number, 10 to 12 individuals get a reactive result. GISELLE OMBAY
Aside from the symptoms exhibited by Gabi and Vain, other early warnings to watch out for are muscle ache or joint pain, night sweats, sore throat, and mouth sores.
However, obstetrician gynecologist Marth Tarroza, who specializes in infectious diseases, said patients in the early phase of an HIV infection are mostly asymptomatic.
“Usually, patients na nag nagpe-present [who manifest] with signs and symptoms of HIV infection, they are those who are in the latter or in the late stage of the disease,” he said.
AIDS, on the other hand, can be found in the late stage of HIV. With a weakened immune system, AIDS patients are vulnerable to even the mildest, most common ailments.
“So kahit ‘yung simple na sipon lang, puwede ‘yun maging cause para ma-admit ka for a serious infection,” Tarroza said.
(So even if it’s a simple cold, it can cause a person to be admitted to a hospital for a serious infection.)
A person is considered to have AIDS if they develop one or more “opportunistic infections,” or infections that occur more frequently and are more severe in people with weakened immune systems.
“We are now at a point wherein HIV is not a death sentence anymore. There are many things we can do to prevent getting HIV, prevent contracting the virus, and prevent its transmission.” —Danvic Rosadiño, Head of Programs and Innovations, LoveYourself
Despite the rising HIV cases in the country, LoveYourself believes that there’s still an upside in the growing numbers.
In one of their hubs, Rosadiño said that around 100 people are getting tested per day. Of this number, 10 to 12 individuals get a reactive result.
“It's a double-edged sword. It's a bad thing kasi siyempre pataas nang pataas ‘yung number of cases natin (It’s a bad thing because the number of cases is continuously rising), which we don't want to happen,” he said.
“But it's also a good thing kasi ‘yung mga numbers na ito, ito ‘yung mga na-report natin na HIV positive. That means, ito ‘yung mga natulungan natin na mabigyan ng treatment, at eventually magkaroon ng further management sa kanilang health and wellness.”
(But it's also a good thing because these numbers are the ones we reported as HIV positive. That means, they are the ones we have helped to receive treatment, and eventually have further management of their health and wellness.)
This is what Vain, who has been living with HIV for seven years now, wants to tell people, especially young Filipinos who are sexually active: undergoing these tests should not be seen with fear.
If anything, he said, getting tested is normal and is a way of taking care of oneself.
Vain, 30, has been living with HIV for seven years. He is now a volunteer counselor at LoveYourself, offering a helping hand to other HIV patients on a lifelong journey. Courtesy: Vain
He also believes that urging youths not to engage in sex is not the most effective way to prevent them from getting sexually transmitted infections, because they are at the age where they get curious about sex.
“Focus na lang tayo sa kung paano i-protect ang mga sarili nila (Let’s focus on teaching them how to protect themselves) and one way for them to protect themselves is to really know their status,” Vain said.
Should one test positive, Gabi, who himself just found out about his status this year, stressed that it’s not the end of the world.
He emphasized the importance of a support system, whether family, friends, or significant other, who could hug a person living with HIV without prejudice and give assurance that he or she is not alone in this fight.
“‘Yung takot, ‘yung lungkot, damdamin mo lang ‘yun. Mahalaga siya na maramdaman mo muna ‘yun. Hindi mo kailangan maging napakalakas agad, puwede mong i-build ‘yun,” he said.
(Feel the fear and the sadness. It’s important for you to feel all of these. You don’t need to be strong immediately. You could build yourself up from there.)
Sadly, this may be harder than it seems for others who fear discrimination and are overwhelmed by shame when it comes to having themselves tested, more so if they really test positive.
For LoveYourself, the Philippines’ conservative culture also plays a big factor on why Filipinos are quite uncomfortable discussing topics about HIV and AIDS, and even sex in general.
Rosadiño said that some Filipinos, unfortunately, still see HIV as a condition among the gays and those who are “dirty.”
“Dahil hindi siya napag-uusapan in a normal conversation, hindi natin napag-uusapan ‘yung mga problems that are attached to sex. So hindi natin napag-uusapan ang pag-iwas sa HIV, ang isyu ng teenage pregnancy at pagkakaroon ng iba pang mga sakit,” he said.
(Because sex is not being discussed in a normal conversation, we can't talk about the problems that are attached to it. We don't talk about HIV prevention, and the issue of teenage pregnancy and other diseases that may be gotten through sex.)
“Hindi natin napag-uusapan itong mga issues na ito dahil nakikita natin siya na taboo,” he continued.
(We don’t talk about these issues because we see it as taboo.)
To address this longstanding issue, Rosadiño said the move should start with oneself—by loving, taking care of, and protecting yourself so that others could reflect it towards you.
The road to health is an easier path to take with individuals and groups such as LoveYourself that are willing to guide and help patients overcome their struggles.
“Ang best time para magpa-HIV test, una, ngayon na. Pangalawa kung ikaw ay ready. Gagabayan ka naman namin kung anong gagawin mo in terms of an HIV test,” Rosadiño assured.
(The best time to get an HIV test is now or when you’re ready. We will guide you on the next steps towards this.)
Nonprofit AIDS advocacy group LoveYourself conducts free HIV screening in partnership with other youth and healthcare organizations to help mitigate the rising number of HIV cases in the country. Courtesy: LoveYourself/Facebook
The fight against HIV in the Philippines still has a lot of ground to cover, including far-flung areas. Bringing the HIV test kits in these places remains a challenge.
Rosadiño lamented that people particularly in rural areas have limited access to these test kits even though the national government currently has no problem with its supply.
“‘Yan ‘yung somehow pinaglalaban natin sa Department of Health na sana maparami pa ‘yung mga facilities na nago-offer ng HIV testing. Sana sa bawat health center sa buong Pilipinas ay at least ma-access nila ang HIV test,” he said.
(That's what we're calling the Department of Health to act on—to hopefully increase the number of facilities that offer HIV testing. I hope that every health center in the entire country has access to HIV testing.)
“Your life doesn't have to stop because of two red lines—it doesn't have to end, it doesn't have to change.” —Gabi, tested positive for HIV at age 19
In response, Feliciano said the number of treatment hubs all over the country has been increasing, but he also acknowledged that there is still a need to improve their functionality and service delivery to communities.
He said the DOH is even eyeing to expand PrEP coverage and strengthen ART supply chain management to deliver better healthcare to HIV positive individuals.
“Si Secretary Ted Herbosa, gusto pa niya lahat ng BUCAS (Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services) centers at (purok-based program) PuroKalusugan na baka kung may botika ‘yan, hindi na mahirapan sa pagdi-dispense kasi ‘yun ang direction,” the PNAC official said.
(Secretary Herbosa wants the BUCAS centers and PuroKalusugan services to have available pharmacies where we could dispense the medicines.)
“Kaso nga lang, pataas nang pataas talaga [ang bilang ng mga kaso]. So sabi nga niya, you have to make a bold move, whole-of-government approach, para mapigilan natin ito,” he added.
(However, since the cases are continuously increasing, he said we have to make a bold move, a whole of government approach, so we can mitigate this.)
Dr. Tarroza also underscored the importance of disseminating the right information, even in remote areas.
Every municipality across the country should have workshops and lectures about HIV, he said, adding that these should inform residents about the available HIV testing and treatment.
“Wag tayong matakot magpa-test. Kasi once mag-test tayo and malaman niyo na kayo ay positive, hindi naman end ng buhay natin. So, mas maganda, mas maaga ma-detect para mas maaga ma-control ‘yung HIV infection,” he said.
(Don’t be afraid to get tested. Once you get tested and the result comes out positive, it’s not the end of our lives. So, it is better to get tested early so that HIV infection can be controlled early.)
Aside from regular checkups, Tarroza also stressed that safe sex and monogamous relationships are also critical to avoid the spread of HIV infections.
Even expectant mothers, he said, should get tested during their pregnancies so that if they test positive for HIV, they can be given medication to decrease the risk of transferring the virus to the fetus.
Free condoms are offered at LoveYourself clinics to help reduce HIV transmissions. GISELLE OMBAY
For Vain and Gabi, life goes on despite living with HIV. Their views and behavior regarding their health might have changed, but their aspirations for their future and the people around them have become stronger than ever.
“Tayong mga tao, we’re a facet of many things, of many aspects. And kung HIV positive ka, [that’s] just the part of it. Hindi ako ‘HIV positive lang.’ Hindi dapat ganu’n ang mindset natin,” Gabi said.
(As humans, we're a facet of many things, of many aspects. And if you are HIV positive, that’s just part of it. We shouldn't have a mindset that ‘I’m just a person who’s HIV positive.’)
Gabi is continuing his studies to become a filmmaker, with the goal of inspiring the youth and those living with HIV to remain strong in the face of challenges that lie ahead.
For his part, Vain has found fulfillment: “Mas naging meaningful ‘yung life ko after. Masasabi ko my life has been better since nag-come out ako as a person living with HIV.”
(My life became more meaningful. I can attest that my life has been better since I came out as a person living with HIV. My life is happy because I have also become a volunteer counselor.)
Today, Vain finds fulfillment as a volunteer counselor at LoveYourself—-not as a victim to a twist of fate, but as an individual offering a helping hand in a lifelong journey. –VDV/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
