EARLIER this month, to celebrate Pride Month even if I’m not a Pride Month kind of person, I investigated and reported on the PrEP enrollment program of Iloilo.
Specifically, I went to the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) and Rajah Community Center on Rizal Street.
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Because I had a sexual “wilding” after my spouse died in December 2014, I got started on PrEP in April 2015.
I am a sex positive person, but I am a little afraid of HIV.
I want to avoid it in anyway I could.
But I don’t think I can go with abstinence. Haha.
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Monogamy is fine; but until monogamy happens, I’ll do what I need to do.
And if I am to ruin my liver to prevent HIV while having great sex, I’ll probably give my liver.
Sex is not life for me.
But life is just better with sex.
Lots of it!
So, there!
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Anyway, PrEP.
How do we get PrEP in Iloilo?
Help is available with the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines.
The enrollment is rather simple.
You go and signify your intention.
They test your blood for HIV, and some liver functions.
PrEP is only for people who are HIV negative.
If you are HIV positive, you get a different formulation.
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After testing, you get some sex counseling and health education.
If your labs are okay, and are cleared for PrEP meds, you get your supply (usually a first bottle of 30 tablets), and you get scheduled for a follow up around the third week.
It’s a simple procedure.
Now, why aren’t a lot of people getting PrEP, I have some idea.
Still, I think that some people don’t realize that the assistance including the testing, the counseling, and the medications are all FOR FREE.
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The decision to write the Frontpage story on HIV testing and PrEP enrollment opened up new ideas for me.
Instead of just advocating for HIV screening, why not campaign for PrEP use in the city?
I am always alarmed by the rising cases of HIV in the Philippines when the rest of the world have their numbers going down.
I want to do something!
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Sadly, Philippine statistics also show that HIV infection is most prevalent in Filipino gay men, or even in males having sex with males (MSM).
I got several theories for this.
Especially when we factor in the age brackets, and the affluence, of these age brackets.
Are the teenagers catching HIV catching them from other promiscuous teens?
Or, are these teenagers getting it from the older, more affluent generation who is paying for sex with teens?
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Oh, I’m sure prostitution is still frowned upon.
But, if we must be honest, most Filipinos are now prostitutes!
Of course, I want to be wrong on this one.
But if I am right—as I suspect I am, what can we do about this?
Better yet, what are the holier people doing about this?
Why the hell are we still not campaigning for condoms?
Why are we not giving away more free condoms?
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I remember a friend who was giving away condoms during Dinagyang.
He was so sad because some people were making him and his group look bad.
Like, they were accused of promoting sex during the Dinagyang.
Where the hell do stupid ideas like that come from?
Are conservative people really thinking that no drunken sex, no orgies are happening during the Dinagyang season that sex needed to be promoted via free condoms?
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As I write this, I have just received an email from the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) which I featured in my Frontpage story on HIV testing and PrEP enrollment.
They have invited me to join their general assembly meeting.
If my hunches are right, I think they will soon organize volunteers to help with their HIV Prevention program.
I think that they thought that they have found an ally in me.
I think that I want them to think that what they thought is right.
Of course, I want to help with policies that help promote HIV Prevention in Iloilo City!/PN
