FREE HIV TESTING IN SAN PABLO CITY!

i think we should have more of this in region 4!

spread the news!

 

ito ang aking diary

ako si BONG

 

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#WearYourSkin

premium derma services for those of us who care so much for our skin

 

RATES:

MAP:

ako si BONG

ito ang aking diary

 

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CHEM SEX & HIV!

"When I did get a chance to connect with others in this madness we sometimes talked about being HIV positive. People would say that they felt the disease was treatable now and that they had a second chance. That seemed to be the general attitude to HIV – that it was no longer a problem for them personally." --- http://www.beigeuk.com/2014/02/chem-sex-revealed-part-one/

nakakalungkot! pero parang nagiging ganito na rin ang sitwasyon dito sa pilipinas... me mga naririnig na akong ganito ang pananaw sa chem sex at pagiging positive kaya wala na silang pakialam. :(

stay safe everyone!

 

ako si BONG

ito ang aking diary

 

 

 

 

 

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IACM 2014

(photo credits: TRR)

 

ANDUN AKO

NAKIKIISA

NAGDADALAMHATI PARA SA MGA KAIBIGANG NAUNA NA

NAGPUPUGAY SA MGA KASAMAHANG PATULOY NA NAGPUPUNYAGI

ANDUN AKO

KASAMA NYO

 

ako si BONG

ito ang aking diary

 

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NEEDLE PRICK & UNIVERSAL PRECAUTION

Bong,

Hi this is kat.. i am a nurse. i got pricked with Hepa B reactive patient through a needle prick injury.. I got tested with baseline diagnostics like HBsAg, Anti-HBs, HCV and HIV Screening tests.. Good thing that I have active titers from Hepatitis B when I was vaccinated in college.. I had negative results from all the labs stated above and had immunity against hepa B.. In this regard, I am being tested again for confirmation, does RITM offer all the above mentioned labs? and wat are the other services they offer? VDRL, etc.. thanks! hope to hear from you.. I hope ur doing fine..

Kat

 

hello kat,

maraming salamat sa iyong pagsulat, we only offer the following 3 tests at the malate hub FOR FREE: 1. HBsAg (HepaB) 2. SY (Syphillis) 3. HIV Antibody Screening. they have other laboratory tests for other STIs but it's not free, please call them on the numbers noted below for more details:

 

LOVEYOURSELF HUB (RITM Satellite Clinic Manila)

1850 Leon Guinto St. Malate, Manila.

Tel. 5479334 or 09178351038

Mondays, Thursdays Fridays & Saturdays 11 AM to 7 PM.

(Cut-off at 5:30 PM)

Sunday 9 AM to 4 PM.

(Cut-off at 2 PM)

Tuesdays & Wednesdays Clinic is CLOSED

indeed these needle prick injuries can happen to health workers and we always encourage the practice of universal precaution at all times, at this time and age, safety is always an utmost priority.

i sincerely wish that your retest results would be non-reactive.

 

ako si BONG

ito ang aking diary

 

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THE CURE! IS IT ALMOST HERE?

By Jake Wallis Simons (6:30PM BST 27 Apr 2013)

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10022664/Scientists-hope-for-HIV-cure.html

Researchers are working on "novel strategies" to find a cure for HIV, with the first results expected “within months”.

Danish scientists are hoping for results that will show that “finding a mass-distributable and affordable cure to HIV is possible”.

They are conducting a clinical trial to test a “novel strategy” in which the HIV virus is "reactivated" from its hiding place within human DNA and potentially destroyed permanently by the immune system.

The move would represent a step forward in the attempt to find a cure for the virus, which causes Aids.

The scientists are currently conducting human trials on their treatment, in the hope of proving that it is effective. It has already been found to work in laboratory tests.

The technique involves unmasking the “reservoirs” formed by the HIV virus inside resting immune cells, bringing it to the surface of the cells. Once it comes to the surface, the body’s natural immune system may be able to kill the virus.

In vitro studies — those that use human cells in a laboratory — of the new technique proved so successful that in January, the Danish Research Council awarded the team 12 million Danish kroner (£1.5 million) to pursue their findings in clinical trials with human subjects.

These are now under way, and according to Dr Ole Søgaard, a senior researcher at the Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark and part of the research team, the early signs are “promising”.

“I am almost certain that we will be successful in activating HIV from the reservoirs," he said.

“The challenge will be getting the patients’ immune system to recognise the virus and destroy it. This depends on the strength and sensitivity of individual immune systems, as well as how large a proportion of the hidden HIV is unmasked.”

Fifteen patients are currently taking part in the trials, and ithe first results from the trial are expected to presented in the second half of 2013.

Dr Søgaard stressed that a cure is not the same as a preventative vaccine, and that raising awareness of unsafe behaviour, including unprotected sex and sharing needles, remains of paramount importance in combating HIV.

With modern HIV treatment, a patient can live an almost normal life, even into old age, with limited side effects.

However, if medication is stopped, HIV reservoirs become active and start to produce more of the virus, meaning that symptoms can reappear within two weeks.

Finding a cure would free a patient from the need to take continuous HIV medication, and save health services billions of pounds.

The technique is being researched in Britain, but studies have not yet moved on to the clinical trial stage. Five universities — Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, London, University College, London and King’s College, London — have jointly formed the Collaborative HIV Eradication of Reservoirs UK Biomedical Research Centre group (CHERUB), which is dedicated to finding an HIV cure.

They have applied to the Medical Research Council for funding to conduct clinical trials, which will seek to combine techniques to release the reservoirs of HIV with "immunotherapy", which gives patients a better chance of destroying the virus.

In addition, they are focusing on patients that have only recently been infected, as they believe this will improve chances of a cure. The group hopes to receive a funding decision in May.

“When the first patient is cured in this way it will be a spectacular moment,” says Dr John Frater, a clinical research fellow at the Nuffield School of Medicine, Oxford University, and a member of the CHERUB group.

“It will prove that we are heading in the right direction and demonstrate that a cure is possible. But I think it will be five years before we see a cure that can be offered on a large scale.”

The Danish team’s research is among the most advanced and fast moving in the world, as that they have streamlined the process of putting the latest basic science discoveries into clinical testing.

This means that researchers can progress more quickly to clinical trials, accelerating the process and reaching reliable results sooner than many others.

The technique uses drugs called HDAC Inhibitors, which are more commonly used in treating cancer, to drive out the HIV from a patient’s DNA and onto the surface of infected cells. The Danish researchers are using a particularly powerful type of HDAC inhibitor.

Five years ago, the general consensus was that HIV could not be cured. But then Timothy Ray Brown, an HIV sufferer — who has become known in the field as the Berlin Patient — developed leukaemia.

He had a bone marrow transplant from a donor with a rare genetic mutation that made his cells resistant to HIV. As a result, in 2007 Mr Brown became the first man to ever be fully cured of the disease.

Replicating this procedure on a mass scale is impossible. Nevertheless, the Brown case caused a sea change in research, with scientists focusing on finding a cure as well as suppressing the symptoms.

Two principal approaches are currently being pursued. The first, gene therapy, aims to make a patient’s immune system resistant to HIV. This is complex and expensive, and not easily transferrable to diverse gene pools around the world.

The second approach is the one being pursued by Dr Søgaard and his colleagues in Denmark, the CHERUB group in Britain, and by other laboratories in the United States and Europe.

 

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I AM NO VICTIM!

These are just words but it means a lot for the HIV community!

Lets do away with stigma!

No discrimination!

 

ako si BONG

 

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Life Expectancy for PLHIV

Many patients taking HIV drugs can now expect to live into their 70s

Michael Carter

Published: 25 July 2008

A large international study has provided evidence that people taking HIV treatment can now expect to live into their 60s and beyond. The study is published in the July 26th edition of The Lancet, and showed that an individual starting successful HIV treatment aged 20 would be expected to live to be 63, and that a patient initiating an anti-HIV drugs regimen aged 35 could live to the age of 67. It also provided evidence of the dramatic and continued decline in the risk of death amongst people with HIV since effective HIV treatment became available.

What is more, the researchers found that starting treatment with a CD4 cell count above 200 cells/mm3 would mean that a person aged 20 could expect to live to be 70, and that a 35 year-old could survive into their 72nd year.

Nevertheless, they still found that even in their most optimistic estimates, the life-expectancy of HIV-positive individuals was approximately ten years shorter than that of an HIV-negative individual. Furthermore injecting drug users and patients who started HIV treatment with lower CD4 cell counts had lower life-expectancies.

The author of an accompanying editorial calls these findings “exciting” and believes that they underline the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of HIV. He also suggests that the risk of death would be diminished and overall prognosis further improved by starting anti-HIV drugs with a CD4 cell count of 500 cells/mm3.

Almost immediately after multi-drug antiretroviral therapy became available in 1996, doctors observed dramatic reductions in rates of illness and death in HIV-positive patients treated with such drugs. A number of studies have shown that antiretroviral therapy has the potential to dramatically improve the prognosis of HIV-positive patients, but they have only considered patients in single cohorts or countries.

Therefore researchers from the Antiretroviral Cohort Collaboration which involves 14 large HIV cohort studies in Canada, Europe and the USA, looked at rates of mortality and the life-expectancy of over 43,000 patients who started HIV treatment for the first time between 1996 – 99, 2000 – 02 and 2002 – 05. They also looked at whether there were any patient characteristics which affected the risk of death or prognosis.

A total of 2056 (5%) patients died. The mortality rate fell from 16 deaths per 1000 person years between 1996- 99 to 10 per 1000 person years between 2002 – 05.

They also noted significant improvements in the prognosis for HIV-positive patients in the ten years of the study. Overall, a 20 year-old starting HIV treatment between 1996 and 2005 would be expected to live another 43 years. Between 1996 and 1999, they calculated that such a patient would live to be 56 years old, but in the period 2002 to 2005 this had improved to a little under 70 years.

There were also impressive improvements in the prognosis of 35 year-olds starting treatment, with an expectation of a further 32 years in life after HIV therapy was initiated. But, once more, prognosis improved over time from an expectation of a further 25 years of life in 1996 – 99, to 32 years by 2002- 05.

Patients who started HIV treatment with a low CD4 cell count (below 100 cells/mm3) had much higher mortality rates than patients initiating antiretroviral therapy with a CD4 cell count above 200 cells/mm3 (aged 20 – 44, 20 per 1000 person years vs. five per 1000 person years).

Furthermore a 20 year-old starting treatment with a CD4 cell count below 100 cells/mm3 would have a life-expectancy of 54 years compared to a life-expectancy of 70 years for a 20 year-old starting treatment with a CD4 cell count above 200 cells/mm3. The importance of CD4 cell count at the time of therapy initiation to prognosis was also seen in 35 year-olds, with patients with a CD4 cell count below 100 cells/mm3 expected to live until they were 62 compared to a prognosis of 72 years for patients with a CD4 cell count above 200 cells/mm3.

The investigators also found that women had a better prognosis than men, but that injecting drug users had a life-expectancy that was up to 20 years shorter than non-injecting drug users.

“There has been an improvement of outcomes with combination antiretroviral therapy between 1996 and 2005, characterised by a marked decrease in mortality rates” write the investigators. They attribute such reductions in mortality and improvements in life-expectancy to “improvements in therapy during the first decade of combination therapy.”

But they note that their study suggests that the prognosis of people taking antiretroviral therapy is still not normal. Picking up on this point, the author of the accompanying editorial highlights the findings of the SMART study which showed that patients with lower CD4 cell counts had a higher risk of serious non-HIV-related illnesses. The SMART study’s conclusions were one of the factors leading to HIV treatment guidelines recommending that antiretroviral therapy should be started at a CD4 cell count of 350 cells/mm3. The author notes the “clinical mischief of untreated HIV infection” and looks forward to the results of a clinical trial which could show if there is any benefit in starting HIV treatment at a CD4 cell count of 500 cells/mm3.

Reference

The Antiretroviral Cohort Collaboration. Life expectancy of individuals on combination therapy in high-income countries: a collaborative analysis of 14 cohort studies. The Lancet 372: 293 – 299, 2008.

Cooper DA. Life and death in the cART era. The Lancet 372: 266 – 267, 2008.

 

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BATTLE WEARY

Battle Weary: A Poem by River Huston

 

Is it over yet?

crawling from a foxhole

made in the dirt

thirty years deep

the bodies are piled up

some old as cordwood

other freshly departed

Goodbye Ben

baby honey boy

you texted me

just last night

don't get it bro

but you're in God's hands now

You didn't get the memo?

it gets better, man

but I get it

you just worn out

worn down

How long can you live

with death firmly planted by your side?

it's that way for everyone

but for us it's visible loud

intrusive

bony hand on your shoulder reminding you

of everything you ever done wrong

I manage it

just some days the insides

turn to mud

and i can't get a grip

When the smoke cleared and the artillery

went from heavy mortars

to the occasional sniper fire

you'd think I'd handle it

cause i did the big fights

I survived sister

but it seems to have gotten worse though

when everyone was dying

somehow it was easier

it's that lone warrior

falling when you least expect it

it takes me down every time

This sadness is fierce

grief rolled up like punch

my ghosts

are loud

especially late at night

waking to conversations

long forgotten

My love, my love

how i miss you

Sunrise brings another day

some tea

put on the good face

the sea helps

if it doesn't make me cry

it gets me through another day

 

____________________________

i heard of a fellow pusit committing suicide a few weeks ago, even after a "self empowerment training" he has undergone --- sad!

ako si BONG

ito ang aking diary

 

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Bong's TOP 3 HIV TEST SITES

IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE: 1 being the best recommended site for quality services. Klinika Bernardo is fast rising up to the occasion by formally launching their "sundown male wellness" clinic and now operating until 11:00pm. Great work for QC!

1). LOVEYOURSELF HUB (RITM Satellite Clinic Manila)

1850 Leon Guinto St. Malate, Manila.

Contacts: 547.9334 or 0917.835.1038

NEW SCHEDULE effective January 14, 2013!!!

Mondays, Thursdays Fridays & Saturdays 11:00am to 7:00pm (Cut-off at 5:30 PM)

Sunday 9 AM to 4 PM. (Cut-off at 2 PM)

Tuesdays & Wednesdays Clinic is CLOSED

2). KLINIKA BERNARDO

EDSA Across NEPA Q-Mart, Cubao, Quezon City

(at the back of Ramon Magsaysay High School)

Contact #0910.653.5522 (John)

Monday to Friday 8:00am to 11:00pm

every 2nd & 4th Sunday of the Month 2:00pm to 7:00pm

3). MAKATI SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINIC

7th Floor, Makati City Hall, J.P. Rizal St., Makati City

Contact - Teresita Pagcaliwagan, RN or YOYIE

Tel: (+632) 870-1615

also, the loveyourself project is doing a test run of their PLATINUM SERVICES. here are the details.

A special kind of HIV testing, organized for the most discreet of clients. Afraid to be seen? Worry not. Here's the most discreet, by-appointment-only, premium quality HIV testing service in the country today. On January 11, 18, and 25, 2013 -- at a very discreet location in Makati CBD (near Ayala Avenue and V.A. Rufino Street) -- Friday after-office slots available from 5 to 9 PM.
To support this platinum quality service, we will appreciate voluntary donation of P500 and above for each client.
To set appointment, register via this link: http://go.loveyourself.ph/platinum -- someone will contact you to confirm your appointment, and you'll be all set. Your information will be handled with strictest confidentiality.

____________

FOR THE VIPs I WOULD RECOMMEND THE MEDICAL CITY - Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, Metro Manila Philippines. Tel. nos. (632) 988-1000, (632) 988-7000 email us : mail@medicalcity.com.ph -- i heard they also do home service for full confidentiality --- but their services are not FREE and sobrang mahal daw but hey if money is not a problem, why not. MAKATI MED is also an option.
ALL OTHERS I WOULDN't WANT TO RECOMMEND DUE TO SOME BAD 1st-HAND EXPERIENCES FROM THE PEOPLE I'VE TALKED WITH.
THE WORST PLACE to get tested are the PRIVATE DIAGNOSTIC CLINICS, most of them are not trained and does not follow the pre-test and post-test protocols. plus it's NOT FREE.
ALSO if you know that you had risky behavior and you need to undergo a medical examination as a requirement for working abroad which includes HIV testing - its best that you take the test in any of the above facilities and make sure first that you are negative before taking it at the agency-designated diagnostic clinic. most of them (if not all) have no idea how to deal with a hiv positive diagnosis. if the result is positive then just choose a country that will not require HIV testing.
hope these updated info helps!

ako si BONG
ito ang aking diary

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Sign up!

A Call to Action to People Living with HIV

We are people living with HIV.

Over three decades into this epidemic, we are angry that still 4500 of us are dying of AIDS-related illnesses every day. Sixteen years after developing effective treatment, more than half of all of us who need it cannot access these life-saving drugs. The progress that has been made in treatment access is under threat.

Sign here - http://www.hivadvocacynow.org

 

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Self Empowerment Training - DONE!

16 new poz friends...

16 enlightening life stories disclosed...

16 more reasons to celebrate life...

with

a more open mind,

a more caring self,

a more loving heart,

and

a brighter and more productive future

ahead of us.

thanks to RITM and DOH!

i feel affirmed

i feel empowered

a great weekend

indeed!

 

ako si BONG

ito ang aking diary

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CEBU, DAVAO & NCR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

official registered PLHIV community 

has just passed the 10,000 mark

they say that 

because of the trend 

the expected estimate

is that there will be

45,000

PLHIVs

by the year 

2015

and that no amount of 

advocacy work right NOW 

can change the impending

localized EPIDEMIC

we are no longer helping out

to save the upcoming 35,000

PLHIV colleagues

but to save the one's after

THEM 

but we need more hands!

thousands of more volunteers

we need your

HELP!

http://www.loveyourself.ph/p/i-want-to-help.html

LUZON VISAYAS MINDANAO!

please register!

SALAMAT PO!

ako si BONG

PEYSBUK!

Layk Kita.

Layk Mo Ako.

Mag Laykan Tayo!

http://www.facebook.com/ako.si.BONG.POZ

more ways to get in touch with me.

ako si BONG

 

INFO ON TREATMENT CARE & SUPPORT!

yan nag-positve ka na --- pano ka na ngayon???

MUST READ!
I SAW THIS FROM JAKE  (http://www.jakepositive.blogspot.com)
SOME VERY HELPFUL INFO FOR PLHIVs

HIV and AIDS Treatment Care and Support in The Philippines

                               

Upon diagnosis of a person as HIV + he/she needs to prioritize and secure these important things to ensure that he/she is able to access proper treatment and support.

1. Secure copy of your Confirmatory/Western Blot Test and present it to a Doctor preferably an Infectious Disease Doctor. He is the right Doctor that could help you and plan out your treatment. If you don't know any then ask for someone in a healthcare facility that you trust that could direct you to one.

2. Secure and Pay your PhilHealth membership. A Person Living with HIV here in the Philippines is entitled access of the OHAT (Outpatient HIV and AIDS Treatment) Package given by PhilHealth all you need to do is to pay your PhilHealth membership fees on time.

     In support of the United Nation's Millennium Development Goal Number 6 to halt or
     reverse the incidence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune
     Deficiency Virus (AIDS) by 2015, PhilHealth through Board Resolution No. 1331, series of
     2009 has approved die implementation of an outpatient HIV/AIDS treatment package. This
     benefit aims to increase the proportion of the population having access to effective
     HIV/AIDS treatment and patient education measures.

      A. General Rules

          1.The Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT) Package will be paid through a case
          payment scheme. Annual reimbursement is set at 30,000 pesos per year.

          2.Only confirmed HIV/AIDS cases requiring treatment shall be covered by the package.

          3.Package shall be based on Department of Health (DOH) guidelines on anti-retro viral therapy
          among adults and adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus infection. All
          treatment hubs in accredited facilities are required to follow the guidelines set by the DOH.

     B. Specific Rules

          1.Covered items under this benefit are drugs and medicines, laboratory examinations including Cluster
          Difference 4 (CD4) level determination test and test for monitoring of anti-retro viral drugs (ARA7)
          toxicity and professional fees of providers

          2.The package will be released in four (4) quarterly payments; each sub-package is worth 7,500
          pesos payable to the recognized treatment hub of accredited facilities. A maximum of four (4)
          treatment sub-packages per year may be claimed by the treatment hub.

          3.Each quarterly claim is covered by the rule on single period of confinement computed from die date
          of consultation. Any additional claims filed within this same period for the same reason will be denied.

          4.Only die actual quarters wherein services were provided in a year will be reimbursed.

         5.Each quarterly claim shall be charged one (1) day against the 45-day annual limit or a sum of 4 days
         per year.
         6.In cases of transfer from one treatment hub to another, PhilHealth will still reimburse provided:

               a.The facility that the patient was transferred to is also PhilHealth accredited.

               b.A referral letter from the referring facility to the receiving facility is accomplished.

               c. The Corporation will reimburse the facility prior to the transfer .



3. Baseline tests such as CD4, Viral Load, Blood Chemistry and other tests requested by the doctor are the most crucial tests of all because this will be recorded and will be a basis to your future tests result in order to know the disease progression.

          CD4 (Cluster Difference 4)

          Usually, the CD4 test is used to determine when a person should start treatment.
       
          HIV attacks a type of immune system cell called the T-helper cell. The T-helper cell plays an essential
          part in the immune system by helping to co-ordinate all the other cells to fight illnesses. HIV damages
          and destroys T-helper cells; as a result, there are fewer cells available to help the immune system. A
          major reduction in the number of T-helper cells can have a serious effect on the immune system.

         A CD4 test measures the number of T-helper cells (in a cubic millimetre of blood) which is known as
         a CD4 count. Someone who is not infected with HIV normally has between 500 and 1200cells/mm3.
         In a person infected with HIV, the CD4 count often declines over a number of years. HIV drug
         treatment is generally recommended when the CD4 test shows fewer than 350 cells/mm3. World
         Health Organization (WHO) 2010 guidelines recommend starting treatment for all patients with CD4
         counts of less than 350 cells/mm3 in all countries. Although most resource-limited countries aim to
         follow these guidelines, a number still observe the WHO's 2006 guidelines, which recommend starting
         treatment at less than 200 cells/mm3.

        Some countries may have treatment guidelines which differ from WHO recommendations.
        For example, although USA treatment guidelines state that treatment should be initiated in all patients
        with a CD4 count less than 350 cells/mm3 they also recommend treatment for patients with a CD4
        count between 350 and 500 cells/mm3.

        If there are complications, such as if the patient has hepatitis B, an AIDS-defining illness or is pregnant,
        guidelines usually recommend that treatment is started earlier.



        VIRAL LOAD (VL)

        Viral load refers to the amount of HIV in the blood. If the viral load is high, T-helper cells tend to be
        destroyed more quickly. Therefore, the aim of antiretroviral treatment is to keep the viral load as low
        as possible.

        In places where it is available, a viral load test is carried out shortly after antiretroviral treatment is
        started. If the treatment is working effectively, the viral load will drop to the undetectable level – below
        50 copies/ml. Ideally this will happen within 24 weeks of starting treatment, but for some it can take
        3 to 6 months. On the other hand, some people never reach undetectable.

        Viral load tests are then carried out every few months. As some viral load tests can produce slightly  
        different results on the same sample of blood, the results are monitored over a period of time.


        FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.


4. Plan out your Healthy Lifestyle. Proper Diet, Exercise, 8hours of Sleep, etc. and an Optimistic Outlook in life would really help you to improve your immune system. Also having diversion techniques to avoid Stress and Depression will also help improve your immune System as well.

5.  Look for a SUPPORT GROUP. Weather disclosing to a person whom you can trust, it could be a member of the family or a close friend. It is best if you look for a Support Group for PLHIV nearest to your area. HIV Support Groups are brought up to help us and to provide us the over-all support that we need.

List of Support Groups

The Positive Action Foundation Philippines Incorporated, better known as PAFPI, is an organization that is devoted into helping those Person Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and their families in coping with their situation involving the HIV/AIDS virus. PAFPI was formed in 1998 by persons living with HIV and AIDS and uninfected persons with a view to empower persons with HIV and AIDS and their families to live a normal, happy and productive life in the mainstream of supported society.

Pinoy Plus Association is the pioneer organization of PLHIV in the Philippines. It is a support group dedicated to the welfare of PLHIV in the country.
Pinoy Plus as an organized community of positive individuals, answering to the needs of peer HIV positive is the pioneer national organization of Filipinos living with HIV and AIDS in the country. Fighting for the rights of positive individuals. PPA are now in the forefront of further enriching the organization, documenting violations, evaluating access to every available services including all kinds of treatment, care and support. Gone beyond Metro Manila, creating chapters all over the country to address the needs and offer support to individuals in need either directly or indirectly affected by the epidemic. They have learned to teach one another on how to live with HIV and how to fight for their rights.

Babae Plus, the first and only existing support group of women living with HIV in the Philippines was established in 2004. Their vision is to create An Independent Lead Organization of Empowered and Supportive Women Living with HIV/AIDS.

Cavite Support Group

Cebuplus Association, Inc. (CPAI) is a non-profit, non business oriented support group run and organized by concerned individuals in Cebu to help, educate and support the people living with HIV/AIDS(PLHA), their affected families (AF) and significant others (SO).

CPAI envision greater and meaningful engagement of people living with HIV, their affected families and significant others towards improving wellness and quality of life in a supportive environment.

CPAI aim to be an independent, sustainable organization that contributes to gender and age responsive, universal access to positive prevention, treatment, care and support through enhanced multi-level, multi-sectored and culturally competent partnership and programs.

CORE VALUES:
S - Service
P - Passion for People
I - Integrity
R - Respect
I - Innovation
T - Teamwork


United Western Visayas Incorporated (UWVI), is a community-based group (CBG) of people living with HIV based in Iloilo and operating in Panay and Guimaras areas with Ilonggo members across the country. The organization is active in both prevention of HIV and promotion of treatment and care among its members who are HIV positive as well as affected families. It strives to address stigma and discrimination in order to
build confidence among the newly diagnosed to access services at the local treatment hub based in the Western Visayas Medical Center.
The growing number of PLHIV in the region is driven by the large number of OFWs particularly seafarers in the region which host the highest number of Maritime Schools in the country and the flourishing – yet hidden sex industry and trafficking enroute the striving nautical highway as entry and exist points for the tourism super region in the Philippines.

The organization has a rich history since its inception in 2005 during the global fund round 5 project. The strong membership and advocacy of the group has helped the Western Visayas Medical Center to have its own CD4 machine, the first outside Manila and a half-way house based in Santa Barbara in Iloilo

Crossbreeds, Inc.

Vida Vivo Zamboanga 

Mindanao Advocates


If you want to know more about the support groups please do contact me for further info. jakepositive@gmail.com www.facebook.com/jakepositive 09278230300 09323298893

jake's source: http://www.avert.org/antiretroviral.htm

SINO ANG NAKAHAWA SA IYO?

You know Bong, if you have noticed most of the HIV cases in PH, they hardly know where they got it. Very seldom that someone can recall or traced it back from its "ORIGIN".I know for a fact that it will not changed a thing if you have the virus already but then isnt it make you feel better if you know who passed it!

from HIVSLASHAIDS
http://hivslashaids.blogspot.com/

HELLO HIVSLASHAIDS,

totoo, kahit ako, i cannot exactly pinpoint who is the culprit in my case... alam mo kung bakit? kasi mahirap naman talagang malaman kung sino --- unless isa lang ang nakasex (unsafe) mo sa buong buhay mo, or kapag once every 6 months ka lang nakikipagsex at within that period eh magpapaHIV test ka, siguro kapag ganun ang case mo mapipinpoint mo...

it is a FACT na even if you have unsafe sex sa isang PLHIV, may chance pa rin na hindi ka mahahawahan --- hindi automatic na mahahawahan ka agad, may chances pa rin na hindi... maraming factors ang dapat iconsider.   ang sabi pa nga ng ibang studies eh mahirap naman daw talaga na maikalat ang HIV, marami lang talagang mga tao ang nagiging mapangahas pagdating sa sex.

so ano yun iisa isahin mo ang mga nakasex mo? pipilitin mo magpatest kung ayaw umamin or kung hindi nila alam? (thats against the law to make-pilit magpatest anybody) tapos kung nag positive nga sila, pano mo mapapatunayan na sya ang nakahawa sa iyo at hindi ikaw ang nakahawa sa kanya?  so you have to consider time differences, kelan ka nahawahan? kelan ka nagpatest? kelan sila nahawaan? kelan sila nagpatest?  ---  eh kung magnegative yung pinagdududahan mo, e di ikaw naman ang babalikan nya, bakit mo siya inilagay sa risk of infection, ikaw naman hahabulin.  walang katapusan na counterchecking baka makagawa ka na ng family tree ng HIV sa Pilipinas.  gugulo lang ang buhay mo.

sa aking palagay mas makabubuting wag na lang malaman (irrelevant na yung issue), kasi una mahirap maghinala at mahirap magprove ang ebidensya, unless 100 percent sure ka nga, solid facts ang kailangan.  at para anu pa? it wouldnt make any difference at all. isa pang pagsisimulan ito ng galit, kung malalaman ko kung sino, baka hindi natin maiwasan na magtanim ng galit sa taong me kasalanan, most of the cases naman eh hindi rin nila sinasadya ang pangyayari.

negative energies ang mga yun, wala na akong panahon sa ganun, i just wanna live a healthy and positive life, anything i do that does not make me productive and will not lengthen my life is a WASTE of TIME - so why bother? ;)

para sa akin, ang katotohanan, kasalanan ko rin ito, nagpabaya ako, tinatanggap ko ng 100% ang responsibilidad na ito, wala akong sinisisi at itinuturo...

sana lahat tayo ganun.

ito ang aking diary

ako si BONG

PLHIVs --- OUR HELP IS NEEDED BADLY!

di ba matagal na tayong nagtatanung ngayon PLHIV (People Living with HIV) na tayo, kung may magagawa pa tayo, kung may maitutulong pa tayo? without divulging our identity to the general public???


this is the opportunity, kaya sign up na kayo, most especially for US who are active online in the different social media anonymously -- marami tayong maaaring itulong, all we need is proper training, i am sure maraming lumalapit sa atin online para magtanung, mahirap sumagot pag hindi tayo sigurado, hindi natin alam kung saan irereffer --- this training will answer all these issues and we can finally be confident in helping others, and know that our efforts are making our community safer and more aware.


sana ay makasama namin kayo dito...


ako si BONG
ito ang aking diary

Peer Educators Training for PLHIV

CALL FOR APPLICATION


The Department of Health, through the National AIDS STI Prevention and Control Program (NASPCP) under the Infectious Disease Office (IDO) of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC), invites applicants for the TRAINING ON PEER EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV (PLHIV) on September 2012. This training aims to: (1) capacitate PLHIV to become peer educators; and (2) provide support services and continuum of care to PLHIV through the formation of a support group. Details of the training will be sent to the qualified applicants.


To qualify, he/she must:
1. be a PLHIV
2. be empowered and actively involved in support groups or care and support organization
3. have at least one year experience/involvement in providing care and support services to PLHIV
4. have good writing / speaking skills
5. be capable of preparing client profile and narrative report of client intervention
6. have undergone training on Sex, Gender and Sexuality
7. be articulate in Tagalog and English (or local dialect)
8. have a spirit of volunteerism


Requirements:
1. Application letter addressed to NCDPC-NASPCP
2. Essay on unforgettable experience(s) as a peer educator. State issues and how these were addressed.
3. Separate Recommendation/Endorsement from the Superior / Head of Organization and Two (2) peers/colleagues
4. Supporting documents for training attended
Considerations for Selection of Applicants:


Knowledge:
Basic Course on General Counseling
Updated on programs implemented by national government and NGOs
aware of referral mechanism
Has basic knowledge on HIV and STI, ART, RA 8504,TCS services
Must be familiar with human anatomy
has undergone formal training on peer education and group facilitation




Skills:
Capable of preparing client profile and activity report
Articulate in Tagalog and English (or local dialect)




Atttitude:
Sensitive, emphatic, open-minded, good listener, good communicator, trustworthy
Committed to serve peers on a voluntary basis

Interested applicants must submit all documents on or before Friday, August 17, 2012 to:
Peer Education for PLHIV Training Secretariat
National AIDS STI Prevention and Control Program (NASPCP)
3rd Floor, Bldg. 14
Department of Health
San Lazaro Compound
Sta. Cruz, Manila


For further details, please contact NASPCP at (632) 495-0149 or email 


naspcp@yahoo.com

NEWLY DIAGNOSED!

Hi Bong,

Good day.

I saw your email add thru your blog & I'm really just finding the courage and strength to write you. I'm sorry if this email might be confusing... this is my state of mind right now. I'm just going thru my emotions and write... Here it goes.

I'm a 34 yr-old professional. I had my test, my first & only test last Thursday, July 19th, and I came out positive.
I feel I had it for a long time now and I feel I'm already getting sick. I always get headaches, lagi ako nanghihina. I always get LBM...

I'm still in the process of accepting it. I'm only worried & confused now as to what I should do.
Sorry Bong. Nalilito ako... What should be my next step.


I feel I'm getting sick by the minute.
I really need your advise. I know you've heard this a million times but I feel so alone right now.
I feel I'm not ready yet to tell my family.
I just don't know what to do...

I really want to get healthy & I want to survive this... It's just hard that I don't know who to talk to.
I'm scared & confused that it might be too late for me to get healthy.

Thank you in advance and hoping to hear from you.

I'm leaving here my contact no. just in case... XXXXXXXXX

Thank you again & more power to you. :)

RAVE

hey RAVE,


tough week for you i can imagine. and i feel your confusion.


id like to know where you got your test? and i suppose you got to talk to a counselor?
meron pa bang hindi nacover ang counselor mo?


the usual process is, you should be waiting for your CONFIRMATORY RESULTS in about 2 to 3 weeks.
after the results are confirmed and it is indeed "POSITIVE". you are supposed to be endorsed to a treatment hub
of your choice.


you have to report and register to the HUB and start baseline laboratory tests to asses all your 
health status.


depending on the results of all your laboratory tests, your hiv doctor will recommend that you either start 
ARV treatment or not. 


disclosure to anybody of your friends and family will depend entirely on you as it is a very sensitive matter.
(i only disclosed to the people who i can trust my life with)


i can understand your confusion, its a common stage especially if you still dont know your exact health
status so i suggest you get your baseline laboratory tests asap.  you have to remember that 
help is always available and all you have to do is ask.  there are a lot of positive support group
especially on twitter where you can seek help and still be anonymous.  i am also always here 
to help out if you have any questions.


whatever happened in the past and how long have you had it is already irrelevant.  the important thing
right now is that ALAM MO NA and there is still time to do something about it.  its not the end of the world
all you have to do is compose yourself and face it head on and stay upbeat... kasi pag mas lalo kang 
nalulungkot or nadedepress, mas lalong masama para sa health natin.


i know its easier said than done but there is no other way.  stay "positive" and seek help. you are not alone.


if you have unli calls, you can reach me 09174711979 or tweet me --- ako_si_BONG


welcome to the club - stay strong ;) 


salamat,


BONG

HIV IS RIGHT IN YOUR FACE - WHAT CAN YOU DO???

April 2012 HIV Stats are out --- and its bad news every single month! 233 new comrades, let me give you some hugs!

and for all the other bystanders --- if you are asking what you can do about the situation --- let me cite what WHO is recommending ---

YES YOU and I  CAN DO SOMETHING...  sino sino pa ba ang magtutulungan kungdi tayo tayo rin...


PWEDE RIN TAYO MAG CHECK-IN - KAHIT SHORT TIME LANG...

magsimula sa ating sarili, know your status!


ito ang aking diary,

BONG

Stakeholders: NGOs & ADVOCACY GROUPs

http://www.yogaforlife.ph/

- love to be part of this 

- hanap pa ako ng time 

- very very friendly bunch

- dami rin cute sa kanila (hehe) 

- actually nasa new years resolution ko to

http://www.nodaybuttodayproject.com/

- jake is a good friend, very nice guy

- maganda rin ang ginagawa nila

- gusto ko sana to know more about them and join them

kaso andami ko na ginagawa kaya support support na 

lang ako sa kanila  

http://www.facebook.com/takethetest

http://www.theredwhistle.org/

- naniniwala rin ako sa ginagawa ng grupo

-  magagaling ang mga members nila kasi

natatap nila ang mga malalaking company and 

high-end na mga endorsers and sponsors

- i sooo love niccolo cosme

http://www.loveyourself.ph/

- medyo active ako sa group na ito

- i actually found out i was positive a bit after i joined the group

- they have been my source of pride, purpose and support

- at syempre super naniniwala ako sa lahat ng ginagawa  nila

- i believe we are the youngest group, and the most active especially online

- we focus on education, counseling, quarterly testing & outreach

Action for Health Initiatives, Inc. (ACHIEVE)

162-A Scout Fuentebella Extension, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City 1103 Philippines

(+632) 426-6147 / 414-6130

http://www.achieve.org.ph/

- i heard they do legal assistance from those who have been discriminated

AIDS Society of the Philippines, Inc. (ASP)

2F OTM Building, No. 71 Scout Tuazon Street, Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, 1103 Philippines

(+632) 376-2541 / 410-0204

http://www.aidsphil.org/

- they have a very discreet office in timog areag (QC) and they so special

free testing  bi-monthly (1st Friday and 3rd Saturday of each month)

-  nameet ko na ang mga key-people sa ASP --- i love them!

Health Action Information Network (HAIN)

26 Sampaguita Ave. Mapayapa Village II, Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City 1127 Philippines

(+632) 952-6312, 952-6409

http://www.hain.org/

- love ko rin sila, they provide training for groups who needs it

- ambabait grabe

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS – Philippines (UNAIDS-Philippines)

29F Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue corner. Sen Gil Puyat Avenue, 

Makati City 1226 Philippines

(+632) 901-0412, 901-0414, 901-0415

http://www.unaids.org.ph/

- i met the country director Maria Teresa "Bai" Bagasao a couple of times recently

- super like ko sya, parang nanay, super down to earth

Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC)

3F, Bldg 15, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila, Philippines

(+632) 338-6440, 743-0512

http://www.pnac.org.ph/

- i met the executive director na rin, mabait din sya

Pinoy Plus Association, Inc. (PINOYPLUS)

1805 P. Guevarra Street, Sta. Cruz Manila

telefax: (+632) 743-7293

Mr. Jericho Paterno -President

email: pinoy_plus@yahoo.com

- im not a member of this group yet, not yet

- nabisita ko na ang office nila near San Lazaro

- membership is only for sero-positive people (PLHIV)

- they are the expert in  helping out newly diagnosed PLHIV

who is going around their business in San Lazaro

- i heard Jericho talk one time and i was touched by his story

Positive Action Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (PAFPI)

2613 Dian Street, Malate, Manila 1004 Philippines

(+632) 528-4531, 404-2911

http://www.pafpi.org/

- very limited information about this group

- i think they were an offshoot of PLHIV group from RITM originally

- membership is both sero-positive and sero-negative

Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF)

2F APMC Building, 136 Amorsolo corner P. Gamboa Streets, Legaspi Village, Makati City 1229 Philippines

(+632) 8170489; +632-8400714; +632-8129183

http://www.tdf.org.ph/

http://www.facebook.com/tdfphilippines

- di ko sila kilala (pa)

Youth AIDS Filipinas Alliance (YAFA)

c/o Adolescent RH Center, Social Hygiene Clinic, Manila Health Department, 208 Quiricada Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila

(+632) 711-6942

http://www.youthaidsfilipinasalliance.org/

- narinig ko na sila pero yun lang, hehe

TLF SHARE Collective (TLF)

2580 A. Bonifacio St., Brgy. Bangkal, Makati City

Telefax: +632 751 7047 | +632 728 8487

Email: tlfmanila@gmail.com

http://tlfshare.webs.com/

- i so love TLF, they provide training and technical for different groups

- i wish they can be more active pa

- mga kuya at ate ng adbokasiya

- sinimulan ni MAMU

Philippine NGO Support Program, Inc. (PHANSuP)

4/F VD&S Building, 59-B Panay Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines.  

Tel/Fax: (+63)-332-1914 (tel/fax);  

Email: raonebrida@yahoo.com ; raonebrida@gmail.com

http://www.aidsalliance.org/linkingorganisationdetails.aspx?id=15

http://www.facebook.com/PHANSUP

- i met some key people from the group, mabait din, 
- they have a lot of ideas and projects in mind

- i hope they can be more active and visible in the future