Hayo, Project GenZine Volume 1 Issue 1

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An Joh g ang mag Edi n Dav tor- e P An muk sulat in-c ache g li n h g a co hief sa p pag on n ng b dana u sa pam sasal g mg hay s s at m bu an ag am ita n a sa h ma ay sa agit g lap lita sa angy mula tn aya ta. pag an n is, p p agt agsa ri sa g mg gp sul ko lip at n ag a a Ma g d pan taguy p ng unan mata bu lag ana gul od pag . na s a o an ng lay Ma tay tp l s la agm g mu ipuna a o nag sa lak k n h pag ula bay haha as pa t n a ng kab gm ng i an. t u o lag ga HA ad n ng b .

YO gk ose Ito , a k s m aib pag ang m iga alay ng ka an n! mu duru agig at mbataa ing sa, k h as n, na ng ma ayo a sa p mga salam lus ags ma na in n og t y a a g s w s Ga a na a m a l la p am mu bay g a ri in n kha a ma an ng g naw t lun saki ng p a ng a ta tn agas. yo a han asa, ng a gg Pa ang t ng ino on .

Editors’ Note

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le to s. Ab rtray w e i rv po this thei hat out words t ages of e c i p to vo ple of the f raid y a cou meet in a t l o uss will e. N e on disc s, Brav hose ar ho you o . t t r n w .T ate llia the . Bri ntil late enZine oge d advoc t d e d t G e u o ther rs an Dev awake Project nd e ga as write views a f p o n e i s e Z r k , n f e t e e o i r G w , w ject trum said the re f Pro being s a spec . o e s ine a n r i t z t e z a n s t i i h e r th s. T ,w res pire ago d value ork rep en in s to ins s e s h t t ts Mon uties an at our w ing. wan cep k con e who d d n n the e you th ical thin sa Zi ers, r it writ idea ct Gen e e assu otes cr s n i e e Z Proj at th Gen prom g th rs of the the f n i o y s sa e ite piec orth e wr tive a It’s w all of th e r c the f rom le. ing d p a o e r pe njoy u’ll e o y pe I ho less! b d o G

PROJECT GENZINE

FIRST AND ONLY CHILDREN-MADE PUBLICATION ON HIV/AIDS AWARENESS THE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF John Dave Pacheco ASSOCIATE EDITOR Rochelle Mae Bantaculo MANAGING EDITOR Charles Niel Tupas

CIRCULATION MANAGERS Anna Mariel Wakat Frances Royce Ofracio NEWS DESIGNER Dohniero Lozano ASSISTANT NEWS DESIGNER Vince Vesiete NEWS EDITORS Rain Raven Labanza Mary Gold Caballero Cedrick Fuentes Jelyzel Saure Jade Brillantes Crissa Trazo Carl Jay Atibula Chrislan Omega OPINION EDITORS Hanna Faith Palola Faith Hindap Hazel Paghubasan Jerome Piana

FEATURE EDITORS Sophia Yasaña Trixie Jen Cañete Ariane Keith Macalam Rendel Gay Poncardas Jonnamae Aleya Gaddao Marlo Gel Alkuino LITERARY EDITORS Apple Joy Mabuyao Marisolle Mayo Ednine Agustin Trisha Mei Cañete CARTOONISTS Pauline Rae Nebran Raven Cañete Dohniero Lozano PHOTOJOURNALISTS Leanna Rheeca Damalerio Metchyla Jana Jordan VIDEOGRAPHER Vince Vesiete

COPY READER Precious Kaye Pabalay MODERATOR Clyde Almaden

is the official magazine of Project GenZine, a youthled organization formed

by Team The Generals in 2021. It is part of the Young Heroes Initiative - High Five (YHI-HF) program, that made the country’s first and only children-made publication integrating HIV/AIDS awareness with student journalism on informing children and youth in General Santos City that is accessible from their school libraries, barangay libraries, city library and even in digital platforms.

mensahe ng pabalat

T

ahimik lamang itong namiminsala ng mga buhay, pabata nang pabata ang idinadamay. Kaya pa ba natin itong waksan o kahit mapababa man lang ang nahahawaan?

Silent Killer kumbaga na sisira ng buhay mo kung di ka handa. Kaya sa kauna-unahan at nag-iisang Child-Made magazine ng Project Genzine dito sa Heneral Santos ay napagkaisa nito ang mga kabataang Heneral na mga estudyanteng manunulat at peer educators upang magsulong ng kamalayan sa epidemyang HIV at AIDS.

Scan this QR code to connect to our Facebook page

Tara! Hayo na! Ito ay katagang nagpapaunlak sa atin ng imbitasyon upang makiisa at sabay-sabay na aabante, pasulong na may sigla at determinasyon sa nais maabot na adhikain. Sa bawat pagsikat ng araw ay bagong pag-asa at sa bawat paghakbang ng ating mga paa kasama ang inyong presensya ay masusugpo natin itong epidemya. Na kahit walang hagdang nakahanda ay magtutulungan tayo gamit ang ating mga balikat na abutin ang ating pinapangarap sa mas malusog na PIlipinas. Hindi lamang ito patungkol sa pagsulat, pagbibigay impormasyon, kundi pagbibigay rin ng inspirasyon sa lahat. Kaya tara na’t humayo, mga kabataan upang magbigay kaalaman at kaso ng HIV at AIDS ay atin nang wakasan.

Mission

To bridge the gap between people and factual knowledge with regard to HIV/AIDS.

To amplify HIV/AIDS awareness through harnessing journalistic and peer educating skills in disseminating information, and making sure that these information are within the reach of every community where:

People living in both highly urbanized cities and rural areas have a fair access to the Project GenZine’s published magazine.

Youths are given square opportunity to attend seminars conducted by the organization about the silent epidemic, HIV/AIDS.

Vision

We contemplate a community that is free from HIV/ AIDS and youths who are aware about the complications this silent epidemic has brought, youths who value education, and serve as the catalyst of healthy lifestyle. As the first childmade publication that integrates HIV/AIDS awareness, Project GenZine persists in intensifying its ability to disseminate accurate and accessible information about the said health issues in both urban and rural areas.

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UNAIDS proves that AIDS could be ended

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34 A Resolute Therapy

Hinirang ang Project GenZine sa LNK 2021

contents

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Kalel, 15 Movie Review

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Ang Sabi ni Lolo

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Tindahang Mura

56 Déjà vu

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Nakakaproud lang na sa ganitong edad ay may

NAGAWA NA TAYO. 8

CHARLES NIEL TUPAS Team The General’s Executive Head

Team The Generals’

Project GenZine, Kinilala ng LGU-Gensan

by MARY GOLD CABALLERO

Kinilala ng Local Government Unit ng Lungsod ng Heneral Santos sina Charles Niel Tupas, Frances Royce Ofracio, Dohniero Lozano, Clyde Almaden at Anna Mariel Wakat o ang Team Generals’ dahil sa kanilang Project GenZine: Write, Inform, Inspire na naglalayong mas paigtingin pa ang kamalayan ng mga kabataan patungkol sa usaping HIV/AIDS sa pamamagitan ng pahayagan noon lamang ika-26 ng Pebrero, araw ng Biyernes sa City Mayor’s Conference Room.

Ito ay alinsunod sa Ordinance No. 01, series of 2017 o tinatawag ding Awards for Children and Youth Excellence Program.

“Being recognized by our mayor as a youth leader with the Project GenZine is a great privilege kasi not all youth leaders dito sa GenSan have the same opportunity na marecognize ng ating mayor”, pahayag ni Charles, ang Executive Head ng nasabing proyekto.

“That recognition has helped us in reaching out different organizations even government sectors dito sa ating city and as the Executive Head of the Project GenZine, it is really a big achievement for all of us. cc ‘no, nakilala na tayo ng mayor, and nakapagbuild na tayo ng connection with them”, dagdag pa niya.

Ang naturang pagkilala ay pinangunahan ng Youth Affairs and Development Office (YADO) sa pamumuno ng YADO Division Chief na si Sahara Jho Cabreros.

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news

opinion

feature literary

The Official Community Magazine of Project GenZine, The FIRST and ONLY Children-made Publication on HIV-AIDS Awareness

ASPIRE FOR CHANGE. Children smile hoping for HIV/AIDS free nation, the world joined forces pledging to end aids by 2030.

Retrieved from UNICEF

HOPE IGNITES UNAIDS proves that AIDS could be ended

by RAIN RAVEN LABANZA

Globally, The United Nations AIDS Joint Initiative (UNAIDS) released a report giving evidence last June 3, 2021 that we can combat AIDS to commit and to achieve a new set of targets for 2025 to end AIDS by 2030.

New data from the UNAIDS report shows that the countries with progressive laws and policies and strong and inclusive health systems have had the best outcomes against HIV. Countries that have access to effective HIV services, including HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (medicine to prevent HIV), harm reduction, multi month supplies of HIV treatment and consistent, quality follow-up and care, for people living with and

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Highperforming countries have provided paths for others to follow.

WINNIE BYANYIMA Executive Director of UNAIDS

affected by HIV. To end AIDS Globally by 2030, the global AIDS community and UNAIDS used an inequalities lens for ambitious and achievable strategy development that targets to be achieved by 2025, and required responses accessible to populations currently being left behind to end inequalities.

The targets will bring HIV services to 95% of the people who need them, reduce annual HIV infections to fewer than 370,000 and AIDS-related deaths to fewer than 250,000 by

2025, requiring an investment of US$ 29 billion a year by 2025.

Each additional US$1 investment in implementing a global AIDS strategy will result in more than US$7 health benefits.

UNAIDS urges the UN General Assembly in the fifth high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on AIDS that was held on June 8 to 10, 2021 to commit the goals of a new political declaration on HIV. The United Nations AIDS Joint Initiative (UNAIDS) leads and spurs the world to achieve a common vision

of zero new HIV infection, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.

As part of the Sustainable Development Goals, UNAIDS integrates the efforts of some UN Organizations like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Women, International Labour Organization (ILO), and World Health Organization (WHO) to work closely with global and domestic partners to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Promotional Poster of Project GenZine | Graphics by DOHNIERO LOZANO

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news BUILDING ASPIRATION. The RAINBOW center for revitalization was finally opened through the initiative of Hon. Ronnel C. Rivera in December 1, 2018 at Dr. George P. Royeca Hospital Compound. Photo by MARK LLOYD LU

COVID-19 impact to HIV/AIDS combat

by CHRISLAN OMEGA

The Joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) explained that COVID-19 pandemic affects the HIV/AIDS response in the Philippines.

City Hospital opens up its first HIV/AIDS Center

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by CEDRICK FUENTES

ENERAL SANTOS CITY – With the initiative of Hon. Ronnel C. Rivera, Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital Compound finally opened its first treatment hub, Rainbow Center for Revitalization, December 1, 2018.

This is in celebration of World AIDS Day, an international day dedicated to raise awareness on AIDS caused by the spread of HIV infection.

The program started with a holy mass followed by the ribbon cutting led by Hon. Rosalita Nunez, Dr. Ali Tumama and Dr. Butch Doldoco and then proceeded into the blessing of the Rainbow Center for Revitalization.

Mr. Glenn Gonzales, one of the hospital’s overseers, welcomed everyone who attended to the opening of the center including their

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stakeholders Pink Salmon Plus and SHINE Soccsargen.

Dr. Jette Oco, the Department Head of our City Health Office, presented the fast track city declaration that was signed by Hon. Ronnel Rivera on November 27, 2018 making him the 19th mayor signing the declaration all over the Philippines.

Fast Track 2030 is a commitment to end HIV/AIDS by 2030.

After the ceremony, an inspirational message was uttered by Hon. Rosalita Nunez saying that she was glad about the treatment hub.

“I am glad that finally you have here the treatment hub. I hope that you will get your accreditation very soon”, Hon. Nunez stated.

Having this treatment center gives hope to some HIV/AIDS patient and it makes them feel grateful for this gift from our city mayor.

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“In the Philippines, in terms of testing we have seen a marked decrease in terms of those who are being diagnosed. In March, it decreased to 53% and in April, it decreased to 69%. Normally, we are diagnosing around 1,000 new cases every month, but last April we only diagnosed 247”, Dr. Louie Ocampo the Country Director of UNAIDS Philippines claimed.

Accordingly, after seeing a marked decrease in HIV/AIDS testing during the 2020 lockdown in terms of the delivery of the Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs considering the lockdown with quarantine guidelines, the country is experiencing some challenges in accessing ARV reveal.

As the Philippines fights against the COVID-19 pandemic, UNAIDS combating HIV/AIDS urges the government not to “drop the ball” on battling against the HIV/ AIDS epidemic.

The services themselves were disrupted, testing and treatment were also affected to fight yet another pandemic. We need to find smarter and innovative ways to share these services. We don’t drop the ball on this disease as we fight another one.

WINNIE BYANYIMA Executive Director of UNAIDS

UNAIDS officially declared as of 2020, Philippines is the fastest country growing HIV infections in the Asia Pacific, and one of the highest number of infections in the world with an estimated 111,400 people living with HIV.

BEAR OUT. Jackyln, a CHW in the Millennium Village in Sauri, Kenya, performs an HIV test in the month of August 2021 on one of her patients. Retrieved from MILLENNIUM PROMISE

A SENTIMENTAL PERSONAGE. A supporter lights candles in commemoration of HIV/ AIDS victims in the Philippines at a ceremony in Quezon City, Metro Manila, May 14, 2016.

Retrieved from REUTERS

Laws against HIV discrimination:

by CRISSA TRAZO

Stopping prejudicial actions toward people with HIV

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any Filipinos living with HIV experience discrimination because of the situation they are in and often afraid to seek the rights they have.

Using the name of ‘X’, to ensure his privacy, who is living with HIV for years suffered from discrimination, afraid to speak up for himself that may worsen his situation.

According to Article VII of the Tenth Congress Republic Act No. 8504 or known as Discriminatory Acts and Policies sections 35, 36 and 40.

As stated in the sections of this law, all discriminations in workplace, health institutions and schools are against of this law.

There is a corresponding penalty to those who will violate as written on Section 42.

Sec. 35. Discrimination in the workplace. – Discrimination in any form from pre-employment to post-employment, including hiring, promotion or assignment, based on the actual, perceived or suspected HIV status of an individual is prohibited.

Termination from work on the sole basis of actual, perceived or suspected HIV status is deemed unlawful.

Section 36. Discrimination in schools. – No educational institution shall refuse admission or expel, discipline, segregate, deny participation, benefits or services to a student or prospective student on the basis of his/her actual, perceived or suspected HIV status.

Section 40. Discrimination in hospitals and health institutions. – No person shall be denied health care service or be charged with a higher fee on account of actual, perceived or

suspected HIV status.

Section 42. Penalties for discriminatory acts and policies.

– All discriminatory acts and policies referred to in this Act shall be punishable with a penalty of imprisonment for six (6) months to four (4) years and a fine not exceeding Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00). In addition, licenses/permits of schools, hospitals and other institutions found guilty of committing discriminatory acts and policies described in this Act shall be revoked.

The objective of this law and its sections is to give protection, support and help to Filipinos living with HIV, helping them to speak up and fight for their rights, that all people are equal including the color of the skins, traditions, culture, and the illness they have.

by the numbers

HIV/AIDS Mode of Transmission among children and adolescents

58%

from January 1984 - March 2020

21%

11%

1%

No data

1%

3%

6%

Blood Transfusion

Sex with both males and females

Male-female sex

Mother-to-child

Sharing of infected needles

Male to male sex only

Source: HIV/AIDS & ART REGISTRY OF THE PHILIPPINES Graphics by Dohniero Lozano

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news

WITH THEIR MISSION. Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, showing conflicting evidence about COVID-19 risks in people with HIV in UK, US, and Europe during spring 2020.

Retrieved from HOSPITAL CLÍNIC DE BARCELONA | FRANCISCO ÀVIA

PLHIV on receiving vaccine against COVID-19

by JADE BRILLANTES

The World Health Organization (WHO) advocated COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer/ BioNtech and Oxford/Astrazeneca which are said to be safe for People Living with HIV (PLHIV). The presently available vaccines are not live vaccines and include genetic material from SARS-CoV-2 which cannot reproduce.

Moreover, the Philippine Health Department encourages PLHIV to receive COVID-19 vaccines.

According to PH Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergerie, the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and can be injected for PLHIV as long as they have a clearance from their doctors.

“The current COVID-19 vaccines being given in the country are safe for PLHIV as these are made from inactivated virus or parts of the virus,“ Vergerie stated.

She added that there had been no confirmed pharmacological interactions between COVID-19 vaccines and the Antiretroviral drugs which people living VACCINE AS A SHIELD. Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson early studies showed that the two doses vaccines injected were safe in the people living with HIV during the US studies, this August 2021.

Retrieved from SHUTTERSTOCK | OLENA YAKOBCHUK

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with HIV should continue to take after vaccination to protect their health.

Also, Dr. Edcel Salvaña from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Technical Advisory Group said too that HIV patients can be inoculated against COVID-19 as long as they are in a good condition.

“In people living with HIV, In general.

Once we start them on Antiretrovirals, their life spans almost approach those of people without HIV. As long as their CD4 counts are above 200 and they’re on a good Antiretroviral regimen, it’s fine,” he stated.

Salvaña also claimed that the vaccine would not act on newly diagnosed PLHIV who have other infections that compromises their weak immunity.

In addition, Allergist and Clinical Immunologist Dr. Rommel Lobo said that people who do not experience an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine can and should receive it.

“There are only 1 or 2 absolute contraindication for not being vaccinated, if you have an allergic reaction to your COVID-19 vaccine for the first dose and if you have been evaluated that you are reacting to a component of the vaccine, then, they will advise you against having the second dose,” he stated Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that the vaccine is not expected to be less safe in people who are immunocompromised.

news

WHO emerging evidence of HIV plus

COVID-19

by JELYZEL SAURE

?

DID YOU KNOW

T

he World Health Organization (WHO) released a warning report on July 15, 2021 that HIV infection increases risk of severe and critical COVID-19.

The warning report confirmed that HIV infection is a significant independent risk factor for both severe and critical COVID-19 presentations at hospital admission and in-hospital mortality.

Based on clinical surveillance data from 37 countries, 23.1% of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) who were hospitalized with COVID-19, died, and have been found that the risk of developing severe or fatal COVID-19 was 30% greater in PLHIV compared to people without HIV infection.

Among male PLHIV over the age of 65 years, diabetes and hypertension were associated with an increased risk of more severe and fatal COVID-19.

This highlights the need for PLHIV to stay healthy as possible, regularly access to their attending physician, taking their antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) medication also prevent and manage underlying conditions.

Moreover, this also means that PLHIV should be prioritized for vaccination in most settings.

According to a poll from WHO, out of 100 countries with information, 40 countries have prioritized PLHIV for COVID-19 vaccination.

Following it up, WHO will also release updated guidelines which provide over 200 evidence-informed recommendations and good practice statements for a public health response to the prevention, testing, and treatment of people living with HIV, hence, these recommendations help to ensure that people with HIV can start and continue treatment during times of service disruption as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The report released today will have important policy implications providing data to confirm that HIV is a risk for poor outcomes from COVID-19 and increases the urgency to see all PLHIV on treatment and with access to COVID-19 vaccinations.

DR. MEG DOHERTY Director of WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes

Furthermore, HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed 34.7 million lives so far, thus, to reach the new proposed global 95–95–95 targets set by UNAIDS, countries need to redouble efforts to avoid increasing HIV infections due to HIV service disruptions during COVID-19 thereby slowing down the public health response to HIV.

The first case of HIV infection in the Philippines was reported in

From January 1984 to March 2020, the regions with the most number of reported cases were

Since then, there have been

NCR with 29,425 (38%) cases, Region 4A with 11,850(15%) cases, Region 3 with 7,418 (10%) cases, Region 7 with 6,798 (9%) cases, and Region 11 with 4,291 (6%) cases. Twenty-one percent (16,705) of the cases came from the rest of the country while 1,138 (1%) did not report region of residence.

1984

77,625

confirmed HIV cases reported as of March 2020.

Source: HIV/AIDS & ART REGISTRY OF THE PHILIPPINES Graphics by VINCE VESIETE

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news TEAM IN ACTION. The Sangguniang Kabataan of Brgy. Buayan, in partnership of DOH and Pilipinas Shell Foundation conducted a Rapid HIV Testing in Barangay Buayan, General Santos City. Retrieved from LGU-GENSAN

Rapid HIV Testing done in Buayan

by RAIN RAVEN LABANZA

O

n June 11, 2021, the Barangay Buayan in General Santos City administered Rapid HIV Testing on its constituents. The said testing was done at the listed time schedule, within 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., to avoid crowds and to still, follow safe and health protocols amidst the pandemic.

In partnership with the Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., Department of Health, Barangay Buayan Council and Sangguniang Kabataan Buayan Council, everyone is encouraged to be tested to know one’s health status.

According to the Sangguniang Kabataan Buayan Council, invitees that are interested were tasked to send their personal information and even their preferred schedule time posted by the administrators through a private message for confidentiality of the person.

There are only 10 persons per time schedule invited for testing. The HIV Testing was confidential, no one

knows what the result may be.

The Local Government Unit in Gensan (LGU-GENSAN) opens doors for HIV/AIDS testing and awareness programs, making us join hands to fight, to protect, and to give our loved ones a healthy TOMORROW.

Getting tested with HIV would make a difference. Get tested now, and ENJOY LIFE FOR

THE BETTER!

DOH commits to continuous HIV services amid Coronavirus pandemic

by CARL JAY ATIBULA

The Department of Health (DOH) reaffirms its commitment to ensure continuous access to HIV services and strengthen its efforts to control and eventually reverse the HIV epidemic in the Philippines.

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According to DOH data as of December 2020, HIV testing decreased by 61% and treatment initiation was reduced by 28% in 2020.

Moreover, only 70% of the estimated 111,400 Filipinos who are living with HIV in 2020 are aware of their status, while only 61% are on life-saving antiretroviral therapy.

However, a total of 4,574 deaths have been reported between 1984 and 2020.

With the pandemic being a major deterrent to accessibility, the DOH and partners from local government units through its Social Hygiene Clinics (SHCs), public and private HIV treatment facilities, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and advocacy groups are working together to ensure continuous provision of HIV prevention, testing, treatment, care and support services for key populations with primary focus on ensuring continued support for people living with HIV.

In line with ensuring continuous provision of HIV services, the Department of Health (DOH) encouraged key populations and all interested individuals to get tested and know their status, emphasizing that HIV testing is free in Social Hygiene Clinics ( SHCs) or Reproductive Health and Wellness Centers and CBO-run community centers.

Also, DOH further called on people living with HIV (PLHIV) to access free HIV treatment and other services as well as adhere to the treatment regimen.

“To our PLHIV, help is always available. We urge you to access our free services and we assure you that support will continue even amid the Covid-19 pandemic. You do not have to go through this alone. Do not hesitate to contact your health care providers for any concern, especially in these trying times,” DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III stated.

As part of the priority group A3, DOH also encourages PHLIV to seek medical clearance prior to vaccination and get vaccinated once cleared by their attending physician.

Photo by METCHYLA JANA JORDAN

Photo by LEANNA RHEECA DAMALERIO

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Project GenZine

Media and Branding

Sa samahang Project Genzine, ay may makabuluhang kahulugan ang uniporme nitong kulay dilaw na mayroong tatak nito na palatandaan ng organisasyon sa harapan at sa bandang likuran ang tatlong kataga na layunin ng proyekto na Write, Inform, Inspire.

Dahil ito ang kauna-unahang Child-made Magazine na nagsusulong ng kamalayan sa isyu ng HIV at AIDS. Ang uniporme ay kulay dilaw na nagrerepresenta sa sigla, init, lakas, ilaw, at pagkamalikhain na kumakatawan sa lahat ng miyembro ng proyekto. Binubuo ito ng mga estudyanteng manunulat at peer educators na may iisang layunin, kundi ang mapababa ang kaso ng HIV sa Pilipinas.

Tulad ng sikat ng araw, ang kulay dilaw na madalas inilalarawan bilang isang masigasig, nakapagpapatibay ng buhay at nagpapasigla ng ating isip, katawan, at damdamin na hindi pa huli ang lahat upang kumilos ang kabataan sa usaping ito. Ito ang kulay na mabilis pumukaw ng atensyon kung saan oras na ng mga kabataan sa proyektong ito na pukawin ang isipan ng nakararami sa pamamagitan ng malikhain at malaman na magazine. Bumubuo rin ito ng klima ng pagtitiwala at komunikasyon sa ating kapaligiran na isa sa nais ng proyekto. Na mabigyang tiwala ang kakayahan ng mga kabataan na gumawa ng pagbabago at komunikasyon na siyang kailangan upang magbigay impormasyon at kaalaman.

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T-SHIRT T-SHIRT T-SHIRT

LOGO LOGO LOGO This image in one frame offers more than what it looks like in just one glance. A shared glimpse of symbolizations that will brighten our lives, a hope for the living and for the nations. Called as a logo, symbolizing the pride of Young Heroes in General Santos that did not let down anyone for naming it ‘HOME OF THE CHAMPIONS’. We named it PROJECT GENZINE, led by student journalists that unite the colors and images into the lives of symbols. In this one frame, you can see a Yellow, Blue, and Red color, and an image of a Tuna, Ribbon, and Wi-Fi. The Yellow color symbolizes HOPE for ending the stigma and discrimination to all individuals living with HIV, and anticipating a new chapter of life with acceptance and openness.

Blue color expresses CREATIVITY, indicating Project GenZine can raise awareness about HIV/AIDS through campus journalism with the creative ideas of student journalists in any possible way.

With COMPASSION, anyone can make a difference in this world and that’s what the Color Red is showing you, the goal to achieve #BetterGensan and #BetterPH, because of the compassionate hearts of the children from Project GenZine organization that was established with the envision to help and for the betterment of our society.

When you look at the image closely, you can see a tunashaped form that embodies the ORIGIN OF THE TEAM GENERALS’, the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, General Santos City.

At the same time, you can also spot a ribbon-shaped silhouette, emphasizing our will to raise consciousness and promote awareness to everyone; As well as it meant to show SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY for people living with HIV.

In this modern world, modern communication is needed namely Wi-Fi that signifies NETWORK AND CONNECTION as a catalyst of hope in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. By this, we can reach out a wider range of crowd and let more people acquire in-depth knowlegde about HIV/ AIDS.

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Hinirang ang Project GenZine sa LNK 2021

by JADE BRILLANTES

Upang mas makilala ang kakayahan ng mga kabataan iginawad sa kanila ang mga karapat-dapat na parangal noong Linggo ng Kabataan 2021 Awarding and Culmination Day na may temang “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health” na ginanap sa New Brighton School of the Philippines noong Agosto 19.

Bilang isang organisasyong binubuo ng maraming batang manunulat, ang Project GenZine ay nakatanggap ng parangal na “Outstanding Youths of GenSan” na iginawad ni Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera at Youth Affairs and Development Office (YADO) sa kanila Charles Niel Tupas at Clyde Almaden bilang representante sa nasabing grupo.

Ayon kay Charles Niel Tupas, isa sa bumuo ng nasabing organisasyon at kasalukuyan Managing Editor ng Project GenZine, isang malaking suporta ang naibibigay ng YADO sa Project GenZine bilang isang non-government organization.

“Ang pagkilala ng YADO sa Project GenZine ay nangangahulugang pagkilala din ng ating LGU unit dahil bilang isang non-government organization kailangan namin ang suporta ng mga nakakatanda at ng YADO upang matagumpay naming maisagawa ang mga proyekto”, ayon kay Tupas.

“Ang pagkilala din nila ang nagbibigay ng pahintulot sa amin na pumunta sa ating mga barangay upang magsagawa ng mga seminar at panayam lalo na sa kaalaman at pag iwas sa HIV”, dagdag pa nito.

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Nanalo rin bilang First Runner-up sa patimpalak ng spoken poetry si John Dave Pacheco na parte din ng Project GenZine na may piyesang “Ang Manlalayag” na sarili niyang isinulat.

Habang ginaganap naman ang nasabing programa ang Project GenZine ay nagsagawa ng HIV/AIDS testing at ito ay naging matagumpay sa tulong at kolaborasyon ng Project GenZine, DOH 12 at Shell Foundation sa eksaktong lokasyon na pinangyarihan ng programa.

Ito ay isang malaking pagkilala sa Project GenZine upang mas maikakalat pa nila ang kanilang kaalamam para sa kaligtasan ng kabataan at nakakatanda tungkol sa pagiwas sa HIV. Maraming aktibidad na isinasagawa ang Project GenZine ngayon at sa susunod pa upang patuloy silang makikilala at lalago bilang isang modelo sa kabataan.

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opinion

news

feature literary

The Official Community Magazine of Project GenZine, The FIRST and ONLY Children-made Publication on HIV-AIDS Awareness

HIV Is No Longer a Death Sentence: Prevention is the Vision, Attention is Our Mission

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he Department of Health (DOH) reaffirms its commitment to ensure continuous access to HIV services and strengthen its efforts to control and eventually reverse the HIV epidemic in the Philippines.

For the past years, the Philippines is on top of the list having the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the western Pacific, purportedly there are 81,169 HIV cases recorded nationwide since 1984, and 735 are confirmed HIVindividuals. To which 96 percent of

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these are male. A small percentile of the reported cases, admitting to as observed that millions of Filipinos never in their lives see a doctor or a nurse.

Regardless of the speed in percentage growth of the epidemic in the country, the number of new infections in the Philippines is not as high as in several countries in the region, which are estimated to have tens of thousands of new infections annually.

In this correspondence, five intercessions are defined to curb the

epidemic.

First, through education ignominy must be lightened. In a country where HIV infection is disgust and immoral, promoting sexual health is indeed a challenge.

Yet in illiteracy is where the infection starts, thus sexual health and gender-sensitivity education must be part of the school’s curriculums and welltrained teachers are ones to handle such, taking into account age-appropriateness and cultural sensitivity.

Cartoon by PAULINE RAE NEBRAN

EDITORIAL Second, HIV testing is the necessary step to access life-saving antiretroviral medications. The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) released statics of the alarming percentage of LGBTQ2 communities that are impacted

by HIV but as mentioned above the real number of cases is hard to determine because people are not being tested. And among these unknown cases are a death sentence. So, if tested and treated, HIV can be beaten.

Third, the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) should be distributed on a national scale. PrEp is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission, and to give justice to the comprehensive HIV prevention programs, this drug should be made accessible nationwide, not limited to Manila.

Fourth, the empowerment

of the primary care physicians to effectively provide HIV care. ART is dispensed only through 95 HIV treatment hubs in the country, which is unevenly distributed and located only to major cities, and problems arise in rural areas or islands where no hubs exist.

Prolonged wait times decrease the doctor’s patient’s visit times and this possessed a potential risk for patients to fall out of care.

The DOH should take serious consideration of regionalizing HIV management to allow primary care physicians to prescribe and dispense ART in their general practice. And this is achievable through an HIV training program consisting of a standardized HIV treatment module, rotation in treatment hubs, and a certifying exam.

Finally, addictions must be addressed and mental health

promoted. Four percent of the HIV cases in the Philippines came from injecting drug users and have sharply increased, but needle exchange is illegal in the country.

The Philippine Government should reconsider implementing needle exchange programs or give alternatives to help those who struggle with addiction.

This is a state emergency. Sex education, promotion of HIV testing, national accessibility of PrEP and ART, empowerment of healthcare providers, and harm reduction are at once coveted.

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PLUCK VIEWS

D

Rescuing Youth From The Risk Of HIV

by HANNAH FAITH PALOLA

r. Jose Rizal’s famous saying “Ang kabataan ang pag asa ng bayan ‘’ is ingrained in the minds of all Filipinos. However, how can the youth represent the people’s hope if their health is jeopardized by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which has infected over 3.7 million children?

The virus began to spread in 1984, the number of people infected with HIV or PLHIV (people living with HIV) also increased rapidly and even in other countries became a major problem.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 3.7 million young people are already infected with HIV which is still increasing. Cases of HIV in children are commonly recorded in subSaharan Africa which is the leading cause of death of preteens and teens there. The main reason why they have HIV at an early age is because the mother of a child with HIV is not treated right away.

During pregnancy or breastfeeding, babies are already infected, which results in the acquisition of HIV at an early age which damages a person’s health so that it cannot fight off the viruses and diseases that its body faces and might cause death of an individual.

In other countries, young people who are engaged to an older person are normalized which also causes them to become infected and pass the virus to their children.

Rape and sexual abuse are also one of the reasons. In Central and Eastern Europe, it is common for street children who are usually 10 years old to contract HIV due to needle sharing.

Treating children with HIV is just the same as treating adults: they can be treated with ART (Antiretroviral therapy) but it’s not that easy especially since some HIV

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drugs don’t come in a liquid form that infant patients can swallow that results them to be untreated and lose their lives.

These problems can even be prevented through the right treatment process and the right guidance and support to patients.

A woman must be sure that she does not have HIV before she becomes pregnant in order to protect her health and the child.

The government implemented programs called HIV Prevention Program that are usually conducted in every community to decrease the number of HIV cases in the country.

HIV Test-Kits that can be used to test an individual for HIV without going to any clinic or hospital which is very valuable in today’s time of COVID 19 pandemic.

Conducting Sex Education and Prevention Programs involving HIV in schools will greatly help to make young people aware of this virus and keep themselves safe from the threat of HIV. It is important for a parent to know if she is affected by HIV so she cannot pass it on to her future child especially since we know that there is no defense against a baby in the severity of HIV. Let us not allow this virus to sweep away the future of young people. I encourage everyone to take part in the government’s steps to eradicate HIV. One day this pandemic will come to its end and become an HIV free country.

The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.

opinion EYE OPENER

Risk behind unprotected sexual intercourse

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by HAZEL PAGHUBASAN

art of our growing is discovering things that adults often do, one of it is sex. This activity can make a difference in a person’s life so minors cannot be involved in this type of experience. In everything that a person does there is a subsequent joy, regret and resentment. Why can such a thing cause regret and resentment if it gives pleasure to a person?

Through simple sexual intercourse a virus can be transmitted. This virus is known as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) which has claimed the lives of many people and continues to spread.

HIV is spread most commonly by sexual intercourse or contact with an infected partner. The virus enters the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, or mouth during sexual activity. It may also be spread through contact with infected blood through unsafe injections.

This virus is so serious that in simple sexual union you can be infected which will make a big difference in your health and life.

There is much that can be done to prevent this virus. Do not have sex without the use of protection or condoms, before having sex, identify or have known the person for a long time to make sure they are not affected by the

“

virus. Also, don’t just inject in clinics that are not approved by the government because there is a high chance that the virus can be transmitted through injection and blood.

If you are aware that you have been infected with HIV, avoid any form of sexual contact with others. Instead, go to a hospital and be honest in answering the questions that the doctor would give for your own sake. There is no effective medicine that has yet been discovered to kill such viruses so it is very important to be aware and critical of everything you do.

This type of virus should not be passed on indiscriminately.

We all want peace and security in our health so let’s open the mind of each and everyone what HIV is and how it is transmitted.

By simply spreading knowledge about HIV, everyone’s minds will be opened and the threat of the virus will be removed.

Every action of your life touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.

Cartoon by RAVEN CAÑETE

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LIFE VISIONARY

Bida Advocate

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by JEROME PIANA

a panahon ngayon, paunti nang paunti ang mga bilang ng mga nagkakaroon ng HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) at mas mabilis natin itong mapupuksa hindi lamang sa ating bansa kundi sa buong mundo, kung ang bawat isa sa atin ay magiging HIV Awareness Advocate sa kahit na simpleng paraan.

Marami sa atin ang babad sa social media, mapafacebook man o instagram ay maraming mga taong gumagamit nito. Mayroon ding iba’t ibang uri ng apps o social media platform na ginagamit sa pakikipagkomunikasyon na maaari nating gawing paraan upang mapalaganap ang impormasyon kung paano maiiwasan ang HIV. Sa simpleng pagpost ng mga bagay na maaaring gawin upang maiwasan ang HIV at maimulat ang marami sa kung ano talaga ang bayrus na ito at kung gaano ito kalala ay malaki ang maitutulong nito sa mga HIV Awareness Advocate na patuloy na pinaparating sa bawat isa, mapabata man o matanda, ang ganitong uri ng impormasyon.

Kahit hindi sa pamamagitan ng social media, maaari ka ring magbigay impormasyon sa iyong mga kaibigan, kamaganak, o kaklase na ang HIV ay isang mabagsik na bayrus at sa pamamagitan ng sekswal na pakikipag ugnayan at sa hindi ligtas na pakikipagtalik ay maipapasa ito.

Isa na rin sa aking mga naging karanasan ay ang pag attend ng isang seminar kung saan sila ay nagtuturo sa mga kabataan tungkol sa HIV at hindi ko maitatanggi na marami akong natutuhan. Sa isang araw na pakikinig sa mga HIV Awareness Advocate ay nabuksan ang aking isip na hindi biro ang ganitong uri ng bayrus. Ang mga

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kaalamang nailakap ko mula sa seminar na iyon ay maaari kong ibahagi sa aking mga kaibigan at kapamilya upang maiwasan din nila ang maging biktima.

Karapat dapat nating pasalamatan ang mga taong HIV Awareness advocate dahil malaki ang kanilang maitutulong sa ating bansa upang hindi lumaganap ang bayrus dahil ito ay para rin sa ating ikabubuti. Buong sikap nilang pinaparating sa atin ang mga impormasyon tungkol dito kaya naman huwag nating balewalain ang mga ginagawa nila dahil ito ay para rin lang sa sarili nating ikabubuti. Isang malaking saludo sa mga Advocate at mga health workers na maging kaagapay ng ating bansa sa ganitong mga suliranin.

Hindi natin maikakaila na marami ang nahahawahan ng HIV dahil sa kakulangan ng kaalaman, kaya naman nakasisigurow akong sa pamamagitan ng simpleng pakikilahok sa mga HIV Awareness seminars at iba paay lubhang nakatutulong.

Sa ganitong mga paraan ay makakatulong tayong ipalaganap sa atin ang HIV Awareness. Kung ang bawat isa sa ating ay magiging eye opener ng iba tungkol dito, ay mas marami ang makaiwas sa HIV. Hindi pa huli ang lahat, marami pa tayong maisasalbang kalusugan at buhay mula sa bayrus na ito.

Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light.

opinion KARAPATAN MO!

Ang Mapait sa Pagmamalupit

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by FAITH HINDAP

akababahala ang unti-unting pagdami ng bilang ng mga taong nag-positibo sa HIV dito sa ating bansa. Sila ay nagkaroon ng ganitong kondisyon bunga ng isang pangyayari na hindi naman malinaw sa isipan ng mga mamamayan. Dahil dito, lumalaganap na nga ang diskriminasyon laban sa kanila na masasabi kong isa rin sa mga pagkakamali na nagawa ko noon.

Sa kondisyon ng mga nagpositibo sa HIV hindi lamang ang kanilang pisikal na pangangatawan ang naapektuhan, kundi pati na rin ang kanilang emosyon at isipan.

Lubhang pinandidirihan sila ng sambayanan sapagkat ang mga salitang ibinibitiw sa kanila ay napakasakit. Ilan sa mga ito ay pinipilit na ilagay sa isang lugar na malayo sa mga tao dahil sa pangamba na posibleng sila’y makahawa ng iba.

Dagdag pa rito, nahihirapan sila na makakuha ng trabaho dahil ang ilan sa mga kumpanya ay nangangailangan ng HIV test na kung tutuusin ay nararapat na panatilihing lihim sa publiko.

Masakit rin para sa kanila ang katotohanang bitbit nila ang pangalang “HIV positive”. Kapag

“

ang kanilang sitwasyon ay naisiwalat sa iba, pandidiri ang maririnig laban sa kanila gayun din naman ang biglang pag-iwas ng nakararami.

Talamak din ang pagtanggi ng iilan sa mga healthcare professionals na bigyan sila ng pangangalaga o serbisyong pangkalusugan.

Sa kabila ng mga diskriminasyon sa kanila napagtanto ko na ang mga taong gaya nila ay dapat na nirerespeto. Hindi natin alam ang buong katotohanan sa likod ng mga pangyayaring naganap sa mga taong ito kung kaya’t pahalagahan na lamang natin ang ating kapwa. Huwag nating ipagkait sa mga HIV positive ang kaligayahan na nararapat sa kanila.

Huwag mandiri, huwag manakit, at buksan ang isip; Ang mabuhay ng malaya ay karapatan ng lahat.

Cartoon by DOHNIERO LOZANO

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BREAKING CHAINS

Let’s Get Techie In HIV Communication

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by JOHN DAVE PACHECO

e can’t deny that the popularity of social media influences the public to become more toxic in society. The misconceptions and discriminations against the HIV positives are popping up through this platform which worsen throughout the years. This is the reality of the world’s evolution that we are capable of, but why don’t we change social media and use it to serve a good communication especially for the people living with HIV.

False information about HIV in social media is not new to us.

Every scroll is a rumor, comments that can hurt someone’s feelings and the share button which spreads a story without any clarification.

We tend to post our public opinion about a certain topic which can be a disadvantage in society. This is also the reason why people can commit cyber bullying against the HIV positives.

The HIV positives are the main victim of social media.

They are trapped on social media platforms especially facebook.

They can read some information and discriminations towards them and get used to internalizing the HIV stigma. Because of this, their treatment is affected.

Social media has a strong social and cultural influence upon society. Due to its innate ability to reach a large number

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of people, it is effective to send messages for building public opinion and awareness. Instead of discriminating against someone due to its physical condition we must support and encourage them to get better. By simply clicking the right button with the correct information and understanding, it is a good way to start.

It’s time for us to take some action and use social media as part of HIV prevention and treatment efforts. Through the internet, individuals can inform themselves about symptoms, treatment, and other health-related information.

Limitation is one of the biggest requirements, set your time in spreading good news but not the fake one. We can easily access this technique so we should not waste our time but let’s take a bigger step to reach the destination of peace and harmony.

Social media: A platform of aid not to discriminate.

Cartoon by DOHNIERO LOZANO

opinion DARE TO MAKE THE FIRST MOVE

Drawing the information age to our advantage

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by DOHNIERO LOZANO

hrough the gifts of “the information age” we’re living in, we enjoy the privileges of having an easy and effectively quick access to various information that might provide help to individuals in accomplishing their homeworks, paperworks, researches or whatever task they ought to finish but requires sources, facts that are often only obtainable by citing details in the Internet.

But despite this offering of our modern digital time, the lack of knowledge or awareness of the general Filipino public towards HIV/ AIDS never fails to attract disbelief from me.

Digging a pit to this situation of perilous ignorance, you shall see people who speak nothing of HIV/ AIDS but prejudices and calculated judgement. Thoughts of disgust are likely to be spoken mindlessly. But ask them what they know regarding the disease. I dare say it’s best to go straight to the Church and pray for their souls rather than let them pierce your ears by letting rubbish words go off their mouths and attack people often depicted as “bigaon.” Which is not necessarily true at all.

People must learn to adopt the fast-paced changes of our society and draw it to their advantage upon seeking what is the truth of HIV/ AIDS. Go surf through social media, amass facts and truths on how HIV/ AIDS is transmitted. There they may learn not to assume one’s story and dodge voicing insensitive comments towards people living with HIV. There’s a reason why it’s called Human Immunodeficiency Virus, it’s only a human to human transmitted virus. They’re not animals. I searched through the Internet on HIV may be acquired and I got the answers provided by HIV.gov.

According to the site, HIV may be acquired through various ways: Having vaginal or anal sex with someone who has HIV without using a condom or taking medicines to prevent or treat HIV. Anal sex is riskier than vaginal sex.

Sharing injection drug equipment (“works”), such as needles, with someone who has HIV. From mother to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.

However, the use of HIV medicines and other strategies have helped lower the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV to 1% or less in

“

the United States.

Getting stuck with an HIVcontaminated needle or other sharp object. This is a risk mainly for health care workers. The risk is very low.

Having oral sex. But in general, the chance that an HIV-negative person will get HIV from oral sex with an HIV-positive partner is extremely low.

Receiving blood transfusions, blood products, or organ/tissue transplants that are contaminated with HIV. Being bitten by a person with HIV. Each of the very small number of documented cases has involved severe trauma with extensive tissue damage and the presence of blood.

There is no risk of transmission if the skin is not broken.

Contact between broken skin, wounds, or mucous membranes and HIV-infected blood or bloodcontaminated body fluids.

Deep, open-mouth kissing if both partners have sores or bleeding gums and blood from the HIV-positive partner gets into the bloodstream of the HIV-negative partner. HIV is not spread through saliva.

Eating food that has been prechewed by a person with HIV. The contamination occurs when infected blood from a caregiver’s mouth mixes with food while chewing.

The only known cases are among infants.

Many people with HIV have lives that are not so different from those of people without the virus.

People who receive the most up-todate treatments can usually enjoy full social and professional lives, as long as they follow their treatment plans.

In the age of information accessing the truth has been made easy, we need only to seek it.

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opinion FEARLESS VOICE

An “F” for PH Justice System:

Prosecuting Drug Criminals yet Take No interests in Rapist

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by RAIN RAVEN LABANZA

afe sex is possible through sexual education but the eradication of sexually transmitted diseases by crimes such as rape and incest is another story that needs the government’s notice; change thy system and save lives.

Unreported rape cases are believed to be a skyrocket by now and Rape Is No Joke (RINJ) estimates based on straw polls of help desk callers, five out of ten females are sexually assaulted in the Philippines and that a growing number of males are victims of this crime, especially children. Being sexually abused is like killing a bud before it may bloom, but having to live with HIV because one was raped is no more than a dead shell.

And thus, the opportunity to address the justice system of our country Philippines, yours truly will take responsibility.

Children that are victims of rape are becoming HIV positive and under any circumstances, they might be able to spread the disease without warning. This time I urge those who held such responsibility to not take lightly the cases of rape and to take action whenever sexual crimes are existing. Awareness is what they should give the victim in their situation because being illiterate in their current state may lead to the transmission of the disease or worse death.

The inept way of handling justice is worsening, all ears on me, “When would humanitarian action be taken?” Women or even men who complain to the police

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are likely to be raped again at the station for rape is oppression of power against the weak and strong, rich and poor. No amount of bombast can solve the problem, the RINJ says it all, that the government is 100% incompetent in prosecuting rapists or even providing concepts to solve this issue. “If Philippines legislators are serious about eradicating HIV, they can make a huge dent by eradicating impunity for rapists.” – The RINJ Foundation The state must seek to eliminate rape and incest in the country and not be indecisive, and that decree should be justice. In the current administration, they prefer prosecuting drug criminals, some of them are not even guilty but they take no interest in the failed judiciary. As much as I am concern about the security of the state against the possible delinquencies of drug criminals, we still should never forget the crimes that anyone even not a drug addict could do.

The deeper we go the darker it gets, to eradicate HIV safe sex through education is not enough, I plead the government to take immediate actions against the law-breakers because they too are charged for the transmission of the disease.

Good legislation for humanitarian action: Rape cases deserve equal attention.

Test Yourself!

Knowing the basic information is the first step in combatting HIV/AIDS. With this, identify the corresponding statements below whether it is True (T), False (F), or if you don’t know (DK), by encircling the said choices.

You may also just SCAN THE CODE below to have conveniency on answering via Google Forms. Let’s begin our journey, Kapatid!

True

False

I Don’t Know

1. Coughing and sneezing DO NOT spread HIV/AIDS.

2. A person can get HIV/AIDS by sharing a glass of water with someone who has HIV/AIDS.

T

F

DK

T

F

DK

3. Pulling out the penis before a man climaxes/cums keeps a woman from getting HIV/AIDS during sex.

T

F

DK

4. A woman can get HIV/AIDS if she has anal sex with a man.

T

F

DK

5. Showering, or washing one’s genitals/private parts, after sex keeps a person from getting HIV/AIDS.

T

F

DK

6. All pregnant women infected with HIV/AIDS will have babies born with AIDS.

T

F

DK

7. People who have been infected with HIV/AIDS quickly show serious signs of being infected.

T

F

DK

8. There is a vaccine that can stop adults from getting HIV/AIDS.

T

F

DK

9. People are likely to get HIV/AIDS by deep kissing, putting their tongue in their partner’s mouth, if their partner has HIV/AIDS.

T

F

DK

10. A woman cannot get HIV/AIDS if she has sex during her period.

T

F

DK

11. There is a female condom that can help decrease a woman’s chance of getting HIV/AIDS.

T

F

DK

12. A natural skin condom works better against HIV/AIDS than does a latex condom.

T

F

DK

13. A person will NOT get HIV/AIDS if she or he is taking antibiotics.

T

F

DK

14. Having sex with more than one partner can increase a person’s chance of being infected with HIV/AIDS.

T

F

DK

15. Taking a test for HIV/AIDS one week after having sex will tell a person if she or he has HIV/AIDS.

T

F

DK

16. A person can get HIV/AIDS by sitting in a hot tub or a swimming pool with a person who has HIV/AIDS.

T

F

DK

17. A person can get HIV/AIDS from oral sex.

T

F

DK

18. Using Vaseline or baby oil with condoms lowers the chance of getting HIV.

T

F

DK

Scan the Code!

Send your answers to us!

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Jenga HIV/AIDS is a life-threatening illness that is prevalent among the people in the most productive age groups and has the potential to create a severe impact on a certain nation particularly in its economy. The stack of Jenga represents the gradual economic growth of a country through the years caused by the relatively high level of industrialization and the productivity of each sector. However, some health-related dilemmas such as HIV/AIDS can bring substantial effects for this destructively increases expenditures for health care costs while reducing the revenue and the labor supply that delays the progress and hinders the economic development of a certain nation.

Cartoon by PAULINE RAE NEBRAN

Epidemic and Pandemic Both deadly and arising health issue that the Philippines is facing right now. Having HIV in this time of pandemic is very crucial and dangerous.

Imagine facing two viruses that might kill you. With that the Department of Health is addressing this health issues for the awareness and safety of the Filipino people.

Cartoon by DOHNIERO LOZANO

A Hand to Hold In the midst of chaos brought by HIV/AIDS in a person’s life and the discrimination that prevails, there is a home of refuge. Republic Act No. 11166 is an act strengthening the Philippine comprehensive policy on Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome prevention, treatment, care, and support. This act is a blanket of protection that will uphold the human rights of every positive individual. It ensures access to HIV/AIDS related services by eliminating the climate stigma and discrimination. Furthermore, it positively addresses and seek to eradicate conditions that aggravated the spread of HIV infection which include poverty, gender inequality, marginalization, and ignorance.

Cartoon by RAVEN CAÑETE

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Steadfast in Slow Motion Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the name itself that elicits fear into people who hear about it by weakening the immune system’s ability to protect against other diseases. Under the circumstances of its failure to react with modern day medicine, progress in dealing with the virus’ rapid plagues on the human body is similarly compared to the movements of a snail. With the pandemic confinement on the medical professionals’ movement, it seems unlikely that this crucial matter can be solved without delay.

Cartoon by PAULINE RAE NEBRAN

People’s Incredulity about HIV Now is the time to grave the skepticism regarding HIV/AIDS. The virus is real and being ignorance will lead us nowhere.

The cartoon aims to showcase that HIV is a virus that today has no cure but preventable and if not prevented it is deadly. HIV/AIDS increases as people irresponsibly do the wrong actions and not knowledgeable enough in regards to the topic. Discriminations are expected as misconception are in their head. HIV is a virus that is living and not just a dust to wipe and blow to vanish. Be responsible and knowledgeable not just for yourself but for all.

Cartoon by RAVEN CAÑETE

Beaten by the Unbeatable Known for its lethal, growing and frightening reputation, HIV lives up to its name of being the unbeatable. Despite it being invincible and matchless on top of that, there has never been a single moment where medical workers abandoned their duties and until today, they continue to slowly discover more about this syndrome and learn how to complety alleviate it.

There might be medicines up to date that are capable of having the role as safety measures however it is still not enough to fully suppress the detrimental effects of the virus on the human body. The aftermath of this life-threatening condition along with the hidden discrimination faced by the victims, living in a boxing ring is not as good as what may others seem.

Cartoon by PAULINE RAE NEBRAN

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feature

news opinion literary

A Resolute Therapy

by TRIXIE JEN CAÑETE

‘There is no cure for HIV but there is a treatment for it.’

Almost all people know about HIV but not all know that there is a medicine for it. Throughout these years, a lot of people believe that HIV is a hopeless condition and it will basically lead a person on the day of his death for a short amount of time. However, there is actually a medication for it and it is called “Antiretroviral Therapy”.

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is an HIV treatment where combinations of various antiretroviral drugs were taken every day by Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV). These drugs come in different classes which includes nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), Protease inhibitors (PIs), Integrase inhibitors (IIs), Fusion inhibitors (FIs), and Chemokine receptor antagonists (CRAs). Each drug slightly differs based on the way they fight the virus inside the body and research shows that a combination of these drugs was the best way to control the HIV virus.

HIV is known to attack the CD4 cells of the immune system. Without CD4 cells, infections could easily enter the body which could lead to a lot more complications. ART prevents the HIV from multiplying itself reducing the amount of HIV present in the body. This would give a chance for the immune system to recover and produce more CD4 cells to fight infections.

Aside from protecting the CD4 cells, ART reduces a person’s viral load to the point that it reaches the undetectable level which is the main goal of the treatment.

An undetectable viral load means there is no risk of transmission of

HIV to other people that is why it is important to regularly take the prescribed medicines to continuously prevent transmitting the virus.

Antiretroviral Therapy is a life-long treatment since there is no known cure for HIV yet. However, this is still so much better as it could help PLHIV live a long healthy life.

With the help of ART, PLHIV won’t be as hopeless as before anymore. Life is still possible and a bright future is still waiting on the way. ART can be availed in Gensan on Rainbow Center for Revitalization located at Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital compound.

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The Official Community Magazine of Project GenZine, The FIRST and ONLY Children-made Publication on HIV-AIDS Awareness

Art by VINCE VESIETE

??

What is in HIV: A growing turmoil

by ARIANE KEITH MACALAM

HIV/AIDS has been a turmoil for over a decade now, a life-threatening disease that weakens the immune system to an extent of frailty.

The early cases of HIV in the Philippines was reported in 1984 and around 2007, the DOH alarmed an epidemic of the infectious virus as to how it was transmitted through sex workers, injected drugs and other blood transfusion indications.

Philippines HIV has one of the least cases of the infectious virus however it is growing fast regardless of the total cases of over 0.1% of the incident of the infection having over 100,00 people

living with HIV. HIV will develop into AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome) as damaged immune system continues, HIV disrupts the body to battle with infections and diseases, due to this the lethality and lifespan of the host will gradually be reduced without the medications.

In some instances, AIDS varies from the person, as some has been living a normal life as a host and some dies after getting infected, even after being officially diagnosed with AIDS as most people does not die from AIDs itself but to the diseases or the opportunistic

infections became stronger as HIV/AIDS weakened the immune system.

Though as continued research has been forgotten now, scientists have found a way to stabilize the HIV cells from mass production with advanced drugs or medications. With this, it opens an opportunity to many people to live a normal life whilst taking (meds (?)) regularly through some time the doctor may consult and you may be allowed to start a new family.

By partaking in the medications, there is only a very slight chance of having delivery complications regarding the hosts.

HIV at AIDS: Paano Naiiba?

by RENDEL GAY PONCARDAS

Kabilang din ba kayo sa mga tulad kong hindi talaga alam kung ano ang pagkakaiba ng HIV at AIDS? Ngayon ay sasabihin ko sa’yo kaya humanda at ipagpatuloy mo lang ang pagbasa upang malaman ang natatanging kaibahan ng dalawang ito.

Ang HIV o Human Immunodeficiency Virus ay isang klase ng virus na layong umatake at humina sa immune system ng isang tao. Sa madaling salita, ito ang matagumpay na pagkapasok ng virus sa katawan ng tao. Sa mga unang taon, hindi pa mararamdaman ang mga sintomas. Kapag lalong humina ang immune system, nahihirapan na itong labanan ang mga karaniwang impeksyon. Sa unang stage ng pagkakaroon ng HIV, maaaring makaranas ng lagnat, sakit ng ulo, sore throat, pamamaga ng lymph node, mga pantal sa balat, at iba pa.

Kapag matagumpay na nawasak ng virus ang immune system, nagdudulot ito ng AIDS o Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Ito ay ang pinakahuling stage kung saan maaring magkaroon ang isang tao ng opportunistic infections. Cytomegalovirus, Kaposi sarcoma, lymphomas, Tuberculosis, Candidiasis, at Pneumocystis pneumonia ang mga halimbawa nito.

Sana sa pagbabasa mo rito ay may konting ideya kang nakuha sa pagkakaiba sa pagitan ng HIV at AIDS. Nais kong ibahagi mo rin sa iba ang iyong nakuha ng kaalaman upang maging maalam sila sa ganitong uri ng bagay.

Lagi nating isaisip na ang maunlad na kaalaman ay maunlad na bayan.

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Paraluman:

Katawa'y Puhunan

M

by SOPHIA YASAÑA

adilim ngunit may hiwaga. Masalimuot bagkus pumapawi ng problema. Sa bawat paglagok ng alak ay sumisilakbo ang init na nadarama.

Dagdagan pa ng mga maririkit na pigurang nakikita. Sabay sa nakaiindak na musika, ang katawan nila ay tila alon na umiindayog sa ritmo. Ito ay nakapulupot sa posteng bakal at paikot-ikot na sinasayawan.

Sa bawat pagliyad ay namumutawi ang alindog. Sa bawat pag- ugoy ng bewang bakas ang pormadong hubog ng katawan. Litaw rin ang kasing pinong buhanging mga balat sa suot nitong lantad at mas umaapaw ang gandahan dulot ng palamuti sa mukaha at mga aksesorya.

Sa bulwagang pera ang daan sa saglit na kasiyahan, maraming interesado at nahuhumali. Marahil ang iba ay malumbay at nais ng saya. Di kaya gustong limutin ang problema? Walang dahilang tiyak na maipupukol sa mga taong dumadayo sa mapupusok na lugar; ngunit sa bawat paraluman na nilalandas ng mapanudyang mga mata ang katawang kapit sa patalim ay naghihintay na panganib sa bawat gabi.

Maituturing na ang dapit hapon ay pangkaraniwang paglubog lang ng araw datapwat para kay Sarah Jane Salazar, ito ay hudyat ng malalim na pakikibaka sa gabi.

Madungis at walang dignidad. Masahol at kasuklamsuklam. Sa bawat pagtapak ng mga takong sa entabladong maituturing niyang normal na kabuhayan, lahat ng panghuhusga ay hindi na batid. Bagkus sa bawat liyad, kembot at paghaplos ng kamay sa katawan ay umaakit ng pera. Sa bawat titig ng madlang may pagnanasa at pagkumpay ng kamay ay nangangahulugang may pagsasaluhang laman at gawad na salapi.

Siya ay isang babae ngunit hindi maipapabilang sa pangkaraniwan. Siya ay isang tuksong mahirap iwasan at kung maraming madadali, pera ay rumaragasa sa gabi. “Excellent Performance” ngang maituturing kaya’t pabalik balik ang maraming suki. Sa layo ng kaniyang nilakbay sa paghahanap-buhay, umabot siya sa pader ng kanyang kleyenteng Japanese. Siya ay inayang tumuloy at maniraharan at nagpakasasa sa ginhawang pansamantala.

Hanggang may perang tagapamagitan may pekeng pag-ibig na maninipula.

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feature

“

Sana maging aware sila sa sakit na ito at hanggang ngayon ay wala pang lunas.

Huwag niyo po akong tularan, tama na po na ako lang at huwag nang magyari pa sa inyo.

Sa bawat tipa at pagmamaneho ng kanyang buhay, ang pagbibiro ng tadhana ay hindi niya malulusutan ng landas. Sa hindi inaasahang paraan tumaliwas ang tibok ng kanyang puso at ritmo ng pag-ibig ang bumalot sa kaniya, sabay ng himig at likiro ng pagmamahal nang makilala niya ang lalakeng nagparandam ng tunay na pag-ibig at ipinaramdam na tanggap ang kaniyang buhay.

Sa bawat gabi ng pagsasalo nabura sa kanyang isipan na siya ay isang babaeng bayaran at kung biyaya mang maituturing, ito ay nagbunga ng isang binhi.

Siya ay isang babae at hindi man pangkaraniwan, siya ngayon ay pigura ng isang ina. Magulang ng isang puslit at may responsibilidad na tangan-tangan. Ngnuit hindi sapat ang pagmamahal upang maibagay ang pangangailangan ng anak. Sa kabila ng pagiging ina ipinagpatuloy pa rin niya ang nakasanayan. Tuloy ang lagim sa gabi, sandalling halik sa langit.

Mundo’y mailap na ngumiti kay Sarah Jane.

Maaliwalas man ang araw ngunit makulimlim para sa isang paraluman. Siya ay naging positobo ng HIV sa edad na labing siyam na nakuha niya sa pagiging club entertainer taong 1990. Siya ang pangalawang HIV positive na isinapubliko ang kalagayan.

“Dahil sa sobrang kahirapan ng buhay naming at sinoportahan ko rin ang sarili ko at pamilya ko, kaya pinasok ko ang ganitong trabaho.”

“Una magwiwaitress ka lang. Pagnaimpluwensyahan ka na ng mga barkada, hihikayatin ka nila hanggang sa naging dancer na ako, yun hanggang sa sumasama na ako sa mga customer.”

Marahil noong kapanahunan ay hindi pa bukas ang mga isipan ng tao na tangkilikin ang pagpapalawig sa impormasyong tungkol sa virus at higit na namumutawi ang pagiging ignorantre kung paano nakukuha at maiiwasan ang HIV-AIDS. Si Sarah Jane Salazar ang nagbigay mukha sa sakit na HIV-AIDS at naging instrumento sa pamamagitan ng Anti-HIV-AIDS Information Campaign. Hindi hadlang ang pagiging apektado ng virus datapwat siya ay naging HIV educator at activists. Sa kabila ng bigat at mga balakid, umaapaw pa rin ang hanagarin niyang makatulong sa mga tao na maipalaganap ang kamalayan sa sakit na ito.

“Sana maging aware sila sa sakit na ito at hanggang ngayon ay wala pang lunas. Huwag niyo po akoang tularan, tama na po na ako lang at huwag nang magyari pa sa inyo.”

Ang kanyang buhay ay isinalaysay sa pelikulang Secrets of Sarah Jane (Sana mapatawad mo). Si Salazar ay na-ospital sa National Center for Mental Health matapos na masuri na may manic depression ayon sa mga doktor na maaaring nauugnay sa mga gamot na kontra-AIDS na iniinom niya. Namayapa si Salazar noong Hunyo 11, 2000 sa edad na 25 mula sa mga komplikasyon sa AIDS. Minsan ang buhay ay isang awit ng galak. Minsan ito’y palahaw at luha. Maging ang isang paraluman ay may himig ng hinagpis at sandaling upaapaw ang pagsisisi.

Tulad ni Sarah Jane Salazar, siya’y nagbibigay ng aral na mapupulot ng bawat henerasyon. Siya ay si paraluman, na naghahangad sa atin na ang katawan ay huwag ipuhunan.

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HIV/AIDS:

A Good Prognosis over the Stigma

by JONNAMAE ALEYA GADDAO

In the 80s the first cases of HIV/AIDS have been growing largely over South Africa with over 3 million cases of death over HIV/ AIDS for the past 20 years.

San Francisco was the hotspot of the virus on its early age due to the ruckus it started, a stigma grew over the four high risk groups : homosexuals, intravenous drug users, Haitian refugees and hemophiliacs.

The overgrowing pressure of HIV/ AIDS hosts and homosexuals, are degrading, and so started a propaganda for their community, the LGBT and also for HIV/AIDS hosts.

The LGBT and other organizations came into one and propagandized their rights regarding regulatory rules and the overwhelming stigma received by the society.

Thus the government then developed a relationship of trust and collaboration over these organizations, whilst fought with very detailed information for their constituents specially the LGBT community, and so a corporation over a new way for the society

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to have an equal perspective, which caused a good effect over the stigma that has been dealt for everyone not just the HIV/AIDS hosts.

The cooperation of the organizations has resulted into a good foundation for the betterment of the research of HIV/AIDS. As of the current years, the modernization of the internet, especially social media, has led to a more understanding of the HIV/AIDS virus, and for communities such as LGBT to have their stand with human rights.

Also the educational system are giving prior knowledge about the sex education regarding ; safe sex, understanding STDs and STIs, early pregnancy, porn addiction, and more that correlates with the concept of sex.

Currently the stages of prognosis with the available medications for HIV/AIDS has proven to significantly hinder the cells that are responsible for the virus. In other words the patient can live a normal life and is highly likely to have a family, while always taking the medication prescribed by the physician.

Cartoon by PAULINE RAE NEBRAN

The Truth Behind

by MARLO GEL ALKUINO

Disgusting. Dangerous. Hopeless.

If you are one of those people who don’t have any background knowledge about HIV, you will probably describe people living with HIV as those three words above. However, those words are just erroneous assumptions. The truth is there is more in these people that you need to know.

HIV which is an acronym for Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. Unlike the thoughts of others, HIV transmission does not only occur through sexual intercourse, but it can also be transferred through infected blood that is transmittable through used syringes. Mother to child transmission is also possible if a pregnant woman has HIV, the virus can be passed on the child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

Though HIV can be transferred from person to person in many different ways, it does not mean that it can infect people easily. Studies have shown that the virus can’t survive for a long time outside the body since it will dry up when exposed to air. Once the virus dries, it will be inactive and no longer infectious so shaking hands and hugging a person living with HIV won’t be a threat. Moreover, sharing dishes, silverware, and drinking glasses with them is definitely safe because the virus is not transmittable through saliva as well as sweat and tears.

In case you are wondering how people with HIV survive, there is actually a treatment called Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) which keeps HIV from duplicating itself. If the prescribed HIV medicine were taken every day, the viral load would drop and the HIV would reach undetectable status. When the virus is undetected, it would be possible for a person living with HIV to not transmit the virus to others and can even have a child that is free from HIV.

“There is always more to something than what meets the eye,” a quote once said and this is completely true because with people living with HIV, there are always different words to describe them other than disgusting, dangerous and hopeless. As you can see, people like them can still put a smile on their faces just like most of us and that is because they are people who have a good soul, harmless personality and positive view in life.

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Art by DOHNIERO LOZANO

Hindi Kami Naiiba sa Inyo

by ROCHELLE MAE BANTACULO

Magdalena. Malaswa. Kadiri.

Iyan ang mga nakabibinging salitang palagi kong naririnig sa araw-araw ko’ng pamumuhay.

Hindi naman nakakaapekto sa akin ang mga mababaw at walang bahid na katotohanan na mga insultong ito, kundi ang mga salitang nanggagaling sa mga pamilyar na boses ng mga dating kaibigan at guro ang siyang tumutusok sa aking puso.

Nagsimula ang bangungot na ito nang mabalitaan ng lahat ang tungkol sa matagal ko nang tinatagong karamdaman, ang pagkakaroon ng HIV/AIDS. Naging makatotohanan ang mga pangyayaring ayaw na ayaw kong maranasan. Hiniwalayan ako ng aking kasintahan. Lumayo ang aking mga kaibigan. Nagsilbing tsismis sa mga guro at kaklase. Ako’y maging mapag-isa. Tinalikuran ako ng lahat nang hindi man lang makapagbigay ng pagkakataon na maibabahagi ang katotohanan sa likod ng aking mabigat na nararamdaman.

Ang limitadong pag-iisip nila ay nagsasabing lumayo sa akin upang hindi mahawa ng sakit at magsilbing kahihiyan o katatawanan

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sa lahat - na ang pagkakaroon daw ng HIV/AIDS ay isang bunga ng malanding kagagawan ng isang tao. Isang kasalanan na hindi na dapat patawarin pa at pinagkaitan ng panahon sa pagbabago. Ito raw ay para sa mga taong hindi nirerespeto ang kanilang sariling dignidad. At dapat lang mabulok at mamatay nang nag-iisa. Ang makitid nilang isipan ang naging daan para paniwalaan ang mga bagay na ubod lamang ng kasinungalingan.

Nanggagaling sa aking Nanay ang sakit na ito. Oo, isang posibilidad na ang nanay na HIV positive ay pwedeng mahawa ang sakit sa kanyang anak na sanggol habang nagbubuntis, nanganganak, o nagpapadede. Nang malaman ng kanyang kasintahan ang karamdaman niya, tinalikuran din siya nito sa takot na mahawa at hindi na nagpakita pa muli.

Pinalayas ng kanyang sariling pamilya dahil sa kahihiyan. Lumaki ako nang wala man lang maituring na Tatay at pamilya.

Ngunit sa kabila ng pangyayaring ito, hinding-hindi ko kayang maisip na sisihin ang aking mahal na Nanay. Ang pagdurusa na aking nararamdaman ngayon ay

maaaring hindi nangangalahati sa mga butil ng lahat ng kahirapang dinanas niya. Ginawa niya ang kanyang makakaya upang mabuhay ako ng komportable habang may sakit na dinaramdam at walang tulong sa pamilya. Dumaan sa butas ng karayom para buhayin, pakainin at alagaan. Laking pasasalamat ko sa Diyos dahil nagkaroon ako ng mapagmahal na Nanay - katulad niya na handa akong ipaglaban sa mundong punong-puno ng saradong isipan.

Magdalena. Malaswa. Kadiri.

Kahit ano pang ibato ninyong salita sa akin ay wala na akong pakialam. Alam kong hindi ako nag-iisa. May tahanan akong gawa sa bato, haligi ang ilaw na liwanag at init sa dilim at lamig, na nagmamahal at pagsuporta sa mga bagay na hilig kong gawin. Gusto ko lang malaman niyo ang katotohanan at matutong palawakin ang iyong isipan. Sa ganitong paraan, magbago man lang ang turing niyo sa amin na mga taong naghihirap sa ganitong karamdaman, na makita lang man ng sarili nitong mga mata na hindi kami naiiba at ganap na tao rin kami katulad niyo.

EYE-OPENER: A Closer Look to Sexually Transmitted Diseases

by SOPHIA YASAÑA

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are one of the fast-growing health related cases in the world, with over an estimated one million cases every day according to the World Health Organization (WHO) . In the Philippines, Human-immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a well-known type of STD however, there are actually a lot of varieties that are more common than HIV.

Slow-paced STD

Caused by spirochaete, treponema pallidum, Syphilis is an infection that brings severe complications in the body including heart, spine and brain. It is divided into stages; the primary where the infected person gets a round sore called chancre three to four weeks after the contact with bacteria.

Chance would appear wherever the bacteria entered, it could be in the mouth, anus or rectum. Next is the secondary stage, on this stage, skin rashes would appear and sore throat is also experienced. The primary and secondary symptoms would disappear in the latent stage and any symptoms could not appear for a year but once an infected person was left untreated, he would enter the tertiary stage and experience life-threatening health problems.

The tertiary stage can occur years or decades after being infected.

Good news is that Syphilis is curable however the damage it caused in the body is irreversible.

Surprise Attack Chlamydia, which is caused by chlamydia trachomatis, could attack without showing symptoms. In some cases, it shows symptoms and these symptoms include unusual discharge and painful urination. This disease is one of the most common STDs and is also curable. Since it usually does not have signs, it is important to have regular screening in order to prevent or cure it as soon as possible.

The growing number of STD cases around the world is very alarming specially that it is a condition that could lead to more severe health complications and death. The types of STD mentioned above might have a remedy but there is nothing more powerful than prevention itself. Rather than regretting having one of these diseases in the future, it would be so much better to create preventative measures and practice safe sex through wearing condom.

Delayed Feelings Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is commonly spread through vaginal and anal sex and it can cause genital warts. This type of STD can delay the showing of symptoms for a year which makes it harder to figure out.

Moreover, an infected person can pass HPV to another person even without experiencing symptoms.

Fortunately, there is still a possibility that this disease would be gone permanently. Studies have shown that though there is no cure for the virus itself, it can go away on its own with the help of the body’s immune system.

A Burning Sensation Yellowish discharge, scrotal swelling, pelvic pain and a burning sensation during urination were the symptoms of Gonorrhea. This disease is treatable with the help of antibiotics but if it did not get treated, Gonorrhea could increase the risk of having HIV.

Art by RAVEN CAÑETE

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Understanding Gender Inequality

A View for a Kinder Society

by TRIXIE JEN CAÑETE

“Ang bakla ay dapat ipako sa krus”, a Filipino curse which means that gays should be crucified on the cross. By definition, gender is the state of being male or female and its preference through social, cultural, and behavioral differences rather than biological ones. It is what a person thinks or wants about himself/herself. Nowadays, there are many issues arising about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) community especially in the Philippines because it degrades culture, traditions and practices.

Yes, they are not fully accepted in society.

In a world where gender is an issue, ‘How are we going to create a kinder society if inequality exist?’

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Be a role model - Dr. Jose Rizal, our Filipino National Hero, said, “The youth is the hope of the nation”. We can do many things although we are still young. Kindness should be embraced wholeheartedly. Let’s awaken our soul to be a role model to our fellow youth to follow the right path and be the instrument of kindness.

Understanding them- We can choose a different path but bear in mind that, we will always be on the same ground. It may be a common notion for them but they are still human. We should listen to their sentiments and voices as they listen to ours too.

Art by PAULINE RAE NEBRAN

Be a buddy, not a bully! – Given the fact that they are human, they can be our buddies too. It is not easy for a person to be confused about gender identity; they are feared to be judged or bullied by others.

Educate others - It’s disappointing that others lack knowledge about this scenario.

Some think it is a kind of nonserious matter that does not need to be attended to. That’s why we should be sensitive enough to feel what others feel. That they are not different from us, that they are fun to be with, that they have capability and talents, that they can do good and excel in everything they love, and lastly, that they are real, because they express themselves even if society doesn’t let them do it freely.

Taking part - Discrimination is everywhere that shows inequality.

By taking part in a program about LGBTQ+, it would also widen the perspectives of how we deal and accept them. Attending a Peer Educator Training for STI’s, HIV, and AIDS helped a lot to understand their present situation. Not only the

epidemic and alarming problems could affect us but also about the Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE).

Collaborate - by taking part in the programs, we can promote awareness. Collaborating to such advocacies will make us aware of the pros and cons; it would also engross us to make a move, not only in the LGBTQ+ community but also in the society.

Engage yourself - As we were colonized by the Spaniards before, we’re influenced by how we view other genders. By engaging, we can have our minds open that they should be accepted in the society.

Trying not to fit anymore but to be part of it.

Inspire to act - It is for as to understand the constant change in the society and as a youth, we should act and amend the increasing rate of discrimination about gender inequality in our society not only to LGBTQ+ community, but also to PLHIV, victim of abuse and violence, and many more.

Give and expect nothing Give what’s best for you know, it

is right. A kinder society would have productive people if everyone is open and free. As we listen to them as they voiced themselves to everyone in this world. Where positivity could grow and foster and everyone could have an equal freedom to express without fear of discrimination and judgement.

Respect - the bottom line for all of this. Humans as we are, true kindness is within our hearts.

Be happy with what others have.

Participating in that training builds up many realizations to all the participants, especially to myself.

Meeting LGBTQ+ members and learning a lot from them as they are addressing ‘freedom, acceptance, and respect’ from others and in the community itself.

Respecting yourself is also an avenue to respect others. As a young peer educator, it is for us to help in raising the gender equality in different gender identities in our society. No exceptions and not to be oblivious of this stigma. It is not only about ourselves but also to others, where we try to put our shoes on them, for us to have a kinder society we dreamt of.

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“

Kalel, 15 will take you into a horrifying situation, whereas if you can’t survive, it will leave you crumbled into insanity.

It’s a story of despair,

whereas you are given an option to do something or remain an ignorant bystander.

K A L E L, 15 MOVIE REVIEW

by VINCE VESIETE

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I

f you thought that the burden of the world is on your shoulders, think again. You might not know a piece of someone whose everything has been taken away.

Meet Kalel, a teenage boy born in a dysfunctional family, friends that influence bad habitual practices and his love interest which is an immature one. The film introduces them one by one and how it affects the main character daily. The more you immerse yourself with it, the darker and suffocating it gets.

Sensitive themes such as HIV, drugs and other youth issues are blown on your face as you get through the film. With its hazily yet excellent cinematography paired with black & white treatment, it successfully drew the audience into how lifeless and devastated he was. Editing-wise, the cinematography bars have their own life, contributing to how excruciating the protagonist’s struggles are.

The production design is also commendable, making it a character itself—a numb and muted witness of his surroundings.

Once again, Elijah Canlas shows his prowess in acting in this timely and relevant film. He successfully represented

the character which is a reflection of this generation—confused and lost. Jaclyn Jose as a mother, shows that not everyone can commit to responsibility as you run out of love. Eddie Garcia as a priest and a father to the protagonist, embodies those who think they will get away with everything if they had the money.

The film is not that graphic, but the story itself. This happens when the youths are pushed to the limit, being crushed by society and by the one they cared for. In a situation where we longed and are deprived of love, security and attention, we don’t wish it to happen, as seen in the film.

It is indeed an eye-opening and mustsee film in today’s society, especially on how HIV/AIDS cases progress day by day in the Philippines.

Kalel, 15 will take you into a horrifying situation, whereas if you can’t survive, it will leave you crumbled into insanity. It’s a story of despair, whereas you are given an option to do something or remain an ignorant bystander.

Stream it on Watch now!

Photo credits: mydramalist.com

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Team Generals, naimbitahan ng RPN DXDX GenSan

by ROCHELLE MAE BANTACULO

Nitong nakaraang ika-25 ng Agosto, naimbitahan ang Project GenZine ng RPN DXDX General Santos City - HISGOT! HISGOT! With Kuya Leo Martin Cellan upang maisawalat ang mga paparating na mga proyekto at kamalayan sa HIV/ AIDS. Gamit ang kanilang talento at talino sa pagpapahayag ng mga

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impormatibong detalye ukol sa HIV/AIDS sa publiko, unti unting binigyang importansya sa pamamagitan ng pag imbita sa mga talakayan.

Maraming pinagdaan ang grupo ng kabataan upang makamit ang mga parangal na mayroon sila ngayon.

Layunin ng Project GenZine ay magsulat, magpaalam at magbigay ng inspirasyon sa kabataan dito

sa lungsod ng Heneral Santos at sa iba pang lugar.

Sinimulan sa pagsusulat ng mga artikulo, sumunod sa pagbisita sa ating mga barangay at ngayon naiimbita na upang italakay ang HIV/ AIDS ng nasabing proyekto.

Marami pang aabangan ang kabataan sa magiging aksyon ng Project GenZine sa hinaharap at mga parangal na matatanggap nila.

Did you know?

Project GenZine has its own finger sign which shows the appearance of its logo. This gesture resembles the ‘“Finger heart” sign in South Korea, but instead it is tilted 90° counter-clockwise. Whenever there are documentations, pictorials or any photo-taking events in the organization, this is used to capture such moments signifying the vision and mission of the organization, and everything that it has been standing for.

G GS I GN GS I GNN GS I G GS I GS 47

literary

news opinion feature

The Official Community Magazine of Project GenZine, The FIRST and ONLY Children-made Publication on HIV-AIDS Awareness

ANG

Pulang Marka ni

pandora

“So that’s it for our session today! We will now proceed to testing!”

Halos hindi magkandamayaw sa pagkamangha ang mga kasama ko dito sa seminar na dinaluhan ko. Nakuha pa nilang magbiruan tungkol sa magiging resulta ng test nila o di kaya’y kung gaano kasakit ang ituturok na iniksyon.

Ako? T*ng*na kinakabahan na!

Mayroon naman akong ideya tungkol dito noon pa mang sumabak ako sa tawag ng laman online. Alam mo na, bored na bored at talaga namang tumaas ang libido ko n’on. Pero ano kasi, sino ba namang aayaw kung nasa proseso ka na ng panggu “GawkGawk”? Ang sakit pa naman sa puson kung ipapatigil mo.

Ang masaklap pa nito, sa sobrang libog, hindi ko na natanong kung pang-ilan na ako sa mga nakameet-up niya. Ayon nga sa seminar “The more the merrier! The merrier the chances of winning! Winning the HIV!” Instant karma ko na ata ito dahil nagpadala ako sa makamundong pagnanasa.

Ipaputol ko nalang kaya itong titi ko? Para wala na din akong maramdamang lib- ay hindi pwede. Marami pa kaming pagsasamahan nitong buddy ko. Walang iwanan, sa hirap at ginhawa.

Nagsisimula na silang pumila. Palibhasa mga di pa nadidiligan. Buti pa ako nadiligan, sa maling tao nga lang.

“Paalala lang pala, hindi sapilitan ang testing na ito ha?

Pero nirerekomenda namin na magpa-test kayo. No worries. All of the information will remain confidential.” Dagdag ng speaker kanina bago niya inasikaso ang mga pumila.

Ayos! Pwede naman palang hindi magpa-test. Aalis nalang siguro ako para makipagjabulan kay junior. Eggziting!

Tatayo na sana ako sa kinauupuan ko nang bigla akong tinapik ng isang nilalang na pahamak sa buong buhay ko.

“Zyle! Magpapatest tayo ha?

O baka naman natatakot ka na?” nanunuya nitong saad. Nakitawa rin yung ibang kasamahan namin dito sa lamesang kinaroroonan ko.

“Mga hindot na to. Feeling close!” Sabi ko sa sarili.

“A-ako? Hindi ah! Hindi ako takot kasi hindi ako pakboy kaya hindi ako magpopositibo! Tumayo lang ako kasi nangangawit na ako kakaupo.” Pagdadahilan ko upang pagtakpan ang aking kaba.

Umakbay siya. “Eto naman ‘di mabiro. Baka kako ayaw mong magpatest kasi takot ka sa injection! Yun yung ibig kong sabihin kanina. Alam ko namang wala ka pang kinakantot. Unless… may dapat akong malaman!”

Nagtaas baba ang kilay nito.

Intrimitido talaga kahit kailan.

Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin at itinuon ko nalang atensyon ko sa ideyang magpapatest ako.

Lord, bekenemen po. ‘Wag naman sana.

Pagkatapos ng ilang oras na pagtayo, nakaupo na ‘rin sa wakas. Makikipagtuos na ako kay kamatayan. Char!

Una niyang tinanong ang mga pangunahing impormasyong kailangan ilagay sa form. Mayamaya’y dumating na sa puntong personal na katanungan na ang pumailanlang. Huhubarin na ako ng hiya!

“So you have a recent intercourse with someone you have met online last week. Anong klaseng intercourse iyon?” Isa din to. Ang hilig maki-usyuso sa personal na buhay.

“B-blowjob po,” wika ko.

“Are you the doer or the receiv-“ hindi ko na siya pinatapos sa tanong niya dahil agad akong nagsalita.

“Pwedeng magproceed na po ako sa testing? May emergency po kasi ako sa bahay at kailangan kong magmadali. Thank you!”

Hindi ko na kaya ang mga tanong.

Hinablot ko ka agad ang form at agad na itinurok ang dapat na iturok.

Pawis na pawis ako sa

Sensitive Content This article contains words that may be harmful or traumatizing to some audiences.

kinalalagyan ko. Ang lakas din ng dagundong ng puso ko. Kinse minutos daw bago malaman ang resulta pero ba’t ang bagal ng oras?

Sa mga oras na ito, iniisip ko na kung goodbye world na ba ang mangyayari. Tatanggapin ba ako ng mga magulang ko o ano pa ba?

Halo-halo!

“Zyle? Here’s your result!” agad akong napatayo sa aking kinauupuan, pagkarinig na pagkarinig ko ng aking pangalan.

Tila ba’y bumibigat ang bawat hakbang na ginagawa ko.

Animo’y hinihila ako pababa— mukhang handang lumamon ng buhay ang sahig na kinatatayuan ko.

Kung iba nalang pala lamunin niya edi sumaya pa ako.

Charot!

Pinakita sa akin ng naturang staff ang testing kit. Napatakip ako ng baba. Ang baho kasi ng hininga ko—hindi biro lang.

Napalundag ako sa saya na siyang dahilan upang humarurot ako palabas. Isang pulang marka!

Ibig sabihin negative!

Thank you Lord! Magjajabol nalang ako simula ngayon!

Hindi ko namalayang dumilim na pala. Mukhang napamarathon ako kanina sa tuwa. Hehe sorry na.

Agad kong kinuha ang aking cellphone sa bulsa nang magring ito. Na siyang ikinangiwi ko pagkatapos. Sana pala hindi ko nalang ito sinagot.

“Sir? Ba’t nga po pala hindi kayo bumalik kanina?

Anyways po pinapasabi ni dok na kailangan mong bisitahin ang clinic niya pagkatapos ng tatlong buwan o iyong tinatawag na window period. Yung resulta niyo po kanina ay hindi gaanong tumpak kung hindi niyo pa po natatapos ang nasabing period.

Ayun lang po, magandang gabi!”

Tigalgal akong napatitig sa kawalan.

“Punyeta. Sana di masarap ang ulam nung doktor na iyon.”

Ang tangi kong nasambit habang unti-unting dumadaloy ang mga luhang kanina ko pa pinipigilan.

by JOHN DAVE PACHECO

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Art by PAULINE RAE NEBRAN

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Art by DOHNIERO LOZANO

Sensitive Content This article contains words that may be harmful or traumatizing to some audiences.

Ang Sabi ni Lolo

by APPLE JOY MABUYAO

Siya ang bumuhay sa aki’t nagsilbing tahanan na sa aking pag-iyak, ako’y kanyang pinapatahan. Kaya’t sa edad na labing isang anyos ay tinuruan na niya akong sumunod sa kaniyang mga bilin at utos.

Ang sabi ng lolo, alisin ko daw ang humahadlang sa kagandahan ko.

Huwag ko raw itago ang aking natatagong kayamanang dala-dala. Hindi ko lubos maisip kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin.

Nakakunot noo niya akong tinignan, “Apo, sumunod ka lang kay lolo ha?” Aniya habang dahan dahang tinatanggal ang paborito kong puting blusa at ang abot tuhod kong palda na kaniyang regalo n’ong ako’y sampu. Mula sa nakakunot na noo nito’y biglang sumigla ang kaniyang mga mata. Ganito pala ang sayang naihahatid ko kay lolo.

“Lolo, maglalaro po ba tayo?”

Tanong ko sa kaniya habang patuloy niyang minamasdan ang sinasabi niyang kayamanan.

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“Oo, Apo, halika’t pasiyahin mo si lolo,” tugon nito at sinimulan na niyang ipadausdus ang kaniyang nangungulubot na kamay sa aking bewang. Ano ito? Anong klaseng laro ba ito? Hindi ko maintindihan, pero—mahal ko si lolo.

Ang sabi ng lolo ko, huwag ko daw ipagkakalat ang aming sikreto. Tuwing gabi’y dinadala niya ako sa kubo malapit sa palayan, maglalaro raw ulit kami pero sa pagkakataong ito ‘bawal ang mag-iingay’.

Nang inilabas ni lolo ang nakakabit sa gitna ng kaniyang mga hita. Bigla bigla na lang itong tumatayo mag-isa, lalo na pag nakatitig sa akin si lolo mula ulo hanggang paa.

“Hawakan mo, apo.” Matigas na aniya habang nakatitig sa akin. May pag alinlangan man ay sinunod ko ang kaniyang utos. “Ngayon naman ay galawin mo,” sa paggalaw ng aking kamay ay narinig ko ang mahina niyang ungol. Paano ba talaga ito laruin, lolo? Hindi naman namin ito nalaro nila Joshua, bagong laro

literary

ba ito? Mga tanong na sumagi sa musmos kong isipan, pero `di bale na alam kong tuturuan niya akong maigi dahil mahal na mahal na mahal niya ako.

“Apo, humiga ka muna’t may ipapasok lang si lolo,” mahinahong bulong ni lolo sa akin na agad ko namang sinunod. “Apo, sumunod ka lang sa galaw ng lolo ha,” aniya at tanging pagtango ang aking naging tugon.

Ang bagay na tumatayo kay lolo ay nararamandaman ko sa aking pagitan.

Nakakakiliti, ito na ba ‘yong laro na sinasabi ni lolo na bawal ang mag-ingay? Mukhang ito na nga.

Sa kaniyang paggalaw ay bigla akong nakaramdam ng kirot sa aking pagitan na tila ba’y may napunit. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiwi sa sakit. Para ba akong sinuntok sa puson nang paulit-ulit, nakapapaso ang bawat ulos na sinasabayan ng nagbabagang galaw. Hanggang sa dahan-dahan siyang gumalaw nang paatras abante at hindi ko na alam kung ano ang aking nararamdaman.

Basta ang alam ko lang ay hindi na mapigilang tumulo ang aking mga luha. “ Lolo, lolo... “

ko gabi-gabi.

Bawat gabi ng ulos ay may nararamdaman pa rin akong hapdi, nais kong iyapos ang aking kamay sa kanyang leeg hanggang sa wala na akong maramdamang hininga. Bakas sa mga mata ang panghihinayang na hindi man lang napagtanggol ang sarili—dahil puro lamang laro ang nasa isip. Nakakatawa mang isipin na dahil sa nakakahindik na pangyayari ay natuto ako.

Sa isang dosenang bayo, ramdam ko pa rin ang kulubot niyang balat habang hinihimas ang maseselang parte ng aking katawan. Sa aking pangingisay ay naninindig ang mga balahibo; ang baboy, masagwa, pokpok. Sa tagal ko na sa larong ito ay marami nakong natutunan. Tinuturuan ako ng mga nakakasama ko, ‘level up’ daw na laro. Isang matulis na may nilalamang kulay berdeng likido, ang sabi’y mas binibigyan daw ito ng lakas para sa 24/7 na chukchakan.

Gayunpaman, napagtanto ko na sa larong itinuro ng aking lolo ay may kapalit.

Nakalimutan niya pa lang ituro sa akin na pagkatapos ng pagkikiskisan ay mag-iiwan ito ng isang lapnos na pang habay buhay ko ng dadalhin.

“Shh, b-bawal ang mag-ingay,” nakukulirap na saad ni lolo habang patuloy sa kaniyang ginagawa.

“Lolo, lolo…”

Nang tumungtong ako sa edad na dalawampu’t isa, saka ko lamang napagtanto na ang pangyayaring iyon ang sumira’t bumuhay sa akin. Nakakuyom man ang aking kamao at handang sugurin ang taong akala kong tahanan na sumira sa aking buhay. Sana nalaman ko kaagad, sana hindi na lang ako pumayag sa isang laro ng kababuyan.

Ngunit, ipinagpatuloy ko ang laro na ginagawa namin ni lolo noon para mabuhay, pero ang kinaibahan ay iba’t ibang lalaki na ang kasama ko. Bawat laro’y pikit kong tinanggap ang aking kapalaran dahil sa isang hinayupak na matanda. Pero, salamat na rin dahil pinapakain ako nito araw-araw maliban sa isang dosenang titi na sinusubo

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Linya sa Linya Dalhin mo ang pagbitiw, iiwanan ko ang paghawak.

Dalhin mo ang pagtanggap, at iiwanan ko ang pagsuko.

Dalhin mo ang pagtakbo, iiwanan ko ang hindi pagharap.

Dadalhin ko ang paghakbang sa pag-iwan mo ng pagtalikod.

Dalhin mo ang paglaya, iiwanan ko ang paghihirap.

Dalhin mo ang kagaanan at iiwanan ko ang bigat.

Dalhin mo ang malamig na dampi at iiwan ko sa iyo ang mainit kong yakap.

Dalhin mo ang liwanag at iiwanan ko ang dilim.

Bitiwan mo ang unang salita at panghahawakan ko ang huling linya, bago ang pagpili sa paghinga at mahal kita.

Binubulong na ng itim na mariposa na pinili mo na ang huling hininga para masabi ang huling linya: “Mahal Kita”.

by MARISOLLE MAYO

INC

V by Art

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TE

SIE

E EV

Tahan na Tahanan Samantala, sapagkat ang mga sinamantala na sinalanta ng mga nanamantala at nanalanta naman ang itala sa pagsasamantala, sa pagkait ng paglaya.

Hindi mo mapapansin o maririnig ang kanilang alulong, ngunit ang pintuang nagsasara, nakakandado— at malayang sumigaw ang mga inosenteng bintana sa kalawang nitong dala.

Kung matapos man ang gabi sa pagsalakay ng mga lobo, nasa sa iyo ang susi sa pagsaksak ng mga bampira. Hayaan mong hagkan ka ng liwanag. Hayaan mong tanggalin ng pagpapatawad ang pangil na nakabaon sa iyong puso.

Matatapos lamang ang buhay-patay kung hindi mo tanggap na minsang naging ataul ang iyong tahanan.

by EDNINE AGUSTIN

Particles of Life From Mercury to Iron Mixed every particle Wishing to make miracle From these extraordinary particle Believe me, I did my best.

But, all these particles can do Is to just Slow the process Of you---dying.

by APPLE JOY MABUYAO

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Art by DOHNIERO LOZANO

Boses

‘Wag kang makinig sa kanila , ‘Di nila batid ang mga pinagdaanan mo.

Wag kang mag – isip ng iba, Sinasabi lang nila ito para mawalan ka ng kumpiyansa.

Mayro’n kang sariling boses , Ngunit bakit sa kanila ka nakikinig ?

Mayro’n kang sariling desisyon, Pero patuloy ka pa ring nakadepende sa kanila.

Boses na parating may puna, Wag kang makinig sa kanila.

Tinig na may halong panunuya, Iwasan mo sila.

Pagiging babaeng bayaran ay ‘di basehan, Para sabihing madumi ka.

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Mayro’n kang rason na ‘di nila alam, At walang planong alamin pa.

Boses na sinasabing Trabaho niyo ang pinagmumulan ng sakit, Sagutin mo ang tinig na iyon Na ang tunay na sakit ay ang boses nilang mapanakit.

‘Wag kang dumepende sa iba, Paka – iisipin kung kanino ba .

‘Di mo kailangan ang boses nila, Tinig mo lang ay sapat na.

Gawin mo kung ano ang sa tingin mo ay tama, Tiisin mo ang mali nilang akala .

Gawin mo ito at ibulong mo sa kanila na , Mabubuhay ka nang malaya sa boses ng pangungutya.

by JOHN DAVE PACHECO

Meet Again

If we ever meet again under the crying grey clouds, I want you to lay your head upon my chest, And embrace me tightly just like what you did before, When you said that my arms are your home.

And while we soak ourselves in tears from above, I will wish to all the gods and goddesses, That may you utter the words I long to hear, After I find the courage to ask you, The most selfish question I have.

If we ever meet again amidst the visit of rapture, I wouldn’t force you to forget the heartaches, Nor the never-ending agony, I passed to you.

I wouldn’t be mad if you will blame me, For the rocky roads you’ve walked through.

I created them anyways, But I want to clarify that I despise them too, Since they are the fruit of my immoral pleasure, The indication that I awfully erred.

I’m sorry, my child.

I took my own life away to end my pain, While you are fighting the battles, That are supposedly mine, just mine.

I apologize for the incurable trouble I left in your system.

I am hesitant to ask, but will I be forgiven?

I know it’s impossible that I’ll be, For it’d be hard for you to pardon, Yet I am still hoping that you’ll say the words I long to hear, “I bear no malice anymore, Mama. I love you.”

I will patiently wait for that moment, Even when it’s time for me to dive into the fire.

Hearing the voice of your amnesty, I swear I would be burnt with a smile on my face.

And my deafening screams, As my body befriends the heat, Would instantly become a whisper to your ears, That says, “Mama loves you too”.

For now, I have to bid a goodbye.

Gomen-ne, my child.

Till we meet again.

by APPLE JOY MABUYAO

Art by PAULINE NEBRAN

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Cartoon by PAULINE NEBRAN

Déjà vu

T

he night sky feels serene, everyone is slumbering and there was I walking my way home but as I was walking in a dark boulevard, I suddenly felt goose bumps.

Strange, but this must just be the cold breeze of the night so I held my jacket tight and fasten my pace. Two blocks left and I’m home but a black headed man popped out from the dark, so I stopped and stepped back. He looked at my direction and I to fear, instincts told me to run but I was there standing still and in a swift motion. He covered my breathe with a kerchief, I tried to fight back but he’s so strong I can’t even get off his hold. That kerchief has something like drug that dozed me off.

As I awoke, darkness filled my eyes like I was blind. Where am I? Why am I here? I have to get out of here! I say to myself.

I tried to get up but my hands are tied, so as my feet. “Help!”, I shouted but no one replied. I shouted a hundred times until I lost my voice but still no help came across. Feeling weak I decided to calm and think, there I remembered the guy who abducted me.

He must be the one who did this misery. While I am struggling to get off the hold, a door suddenly opened and the light beamed inside invading the darkness. I shut my eyes and when it opens a silhouette of a man welcomes me. “Hey there beautiful”, he said and smirk. Now that I see his face clearly, I must say, he’s a devil! I clenched my jaw and shouted to his face, “Who are you!?”

He gripped my jaw tightly to stop me from saying more. “Shut up!”, he shouted back, “don’t worry this night will be the best night of your life”, and laughed evilly. “Why are you doing this to me?

I’ve never done anything to you!” I muttered. He mockingly replied, “Simple, it’s because you’re delectable”. Then he took something from his pocket, it was a syringe! “This will definitely make you energized”, just as I was about to object the needle already sting in my arm. “No-!” my eyes became blurry and the last thing I see is his evil smile upon me ‘til everything turns dark.

“Wake up, honey, it’s time to take your meds,” a voice whispering through my ears feels so heartwarming, calming my overbeating heart. As I opened my eyes there’s light, no total darkness. I roam my eyes and there I saw mom smiling at me. “It’s time to take your meds, honey”, she showed me the ARV (antiretro viral drug). Yes, I am taking Anti-retro viral treatment (ART).

Heaving a sigh I got up and take it.

Three years has passed since that nightmare happened, I was traumatized and it always appears in my dreams whenever I am alone, dark, when men come near and much worst when I see a syringe. That night a virus was transmitted in me, nurses said when I undergo screening is that I might’ve acquired it from the needle he used or in our sexual intercourse. And from that day on that I learned the fact that I will bring it on throughout my life, I was devastated and my life become miserable. But, as I met the support group for HIV/AIDS awareness I encountered a new life, found new friends and gained new hope.

But nothing lasts forever. It was late night when I decided to go outside, to buy something but shocked by a sudden happening.

As I am passing through a dark boulevard, I suddenly felt goosebumps. Strange, but this must just be the cold breeze of the night so I held my jacket tight and fasten my pace. Three blocks left and I’m near the minimart but a rustling sound from an unlit alley stopped me. It’s moving fast! Going near! Please not again!

With eyes full of fear, I slowly turned my head and to my surprise a black colored cat jumped out the dark. Heaving a sigh of relief my heart suddenly felt déjà vu.

by TRISHA MEI CAÑETE

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Cartoon by DOHNIERO LOZANO

Tindahang Mura Pabili po!

Mayro’n po ba kayong isang supot ng respeto?

Po? Naubos na po?

Pero meron po kayong isang kilong pang – uunawa?

Ha? Naubos na rin po? Sa tindahan ni Aling Nena, Sa tindahan na puno ng mura– Siguro ang pusong sanay na sa sakit ay suki na niya.

Baka ang taong mas inuuna ang pera ay kaibigan na ni Nena.

Ang daming tinda, Sari-sari’t mura.

Punong-puno ng demonyong salita At kulang sa makataong gawa.

Sa huling sigaw na pabili, Sa unang murang aking naiuwi, Kandilang hawak-hawak.

At sa puntod ni Aling Nena iaalay.

Sa tindahan niya, Ang bayad mong tama, Isusukli ay mura, Dahil sa sarap na naranasan ni Aling Nena, Katulad niya, Ang tindahan nito ay nagsara na.

by EDNINE AGUSTIN

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Alab Realism Noo’y tinanong ng posporo ang dalawang patpat.

“Sapat na ba kayo para maging panghabambuhay na tahanan ng apoy?”

Sagot nila ay oo.

“Ayaw niyo bang pumailalim lang muna sa mga dahon?”

Hindi na raw kailangan.

Palibhasa’y piniringan ang sarili ng pagkatakam sa mga diin ng pagkiskis - balat sa balat.

Ang init na anak ng pagkiyakis ang kanilang sarap.

Saya ang dulot sa kanila ng pagkapaso. kagandahan ang turing sa bawat lapnos, ginhawa ang bawat pagkahapo, sana ay magtagal. Ngunit nandiyan ang lamig, ang palabang asawa ng apoy, Lagi lang siyang nakaabang sa bahay niyang yari sa panganib Maniwala ka, dahan-dahang mauubos ang dalawa.

Hahapdi ang bawat linamnam at kinabukasan, hahapdi pa rin kahit magiging peklat na ang mga sugat na ipininta ng pagkatakam.

Pwede nilang hayaan ang mga pilat pero hindi sila lilisan.

Pwede nilang bawasan ang kirot, pero hindi siya malulunasan.

Noon ay tinanong sila ng posporo.

“Sapat na ba kayo para maging panghabambuhay na tahanan ng apoy?”

Sagot nila ay oo.

“Ayaw niyo bang pumailalim lang muna sa mga dahon?”

Hindi na raw kailangan.

by MARISOLLE MAYO

Cart

oon

by R AVEN

CAÑ

ETE

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Attack! I will make the Body sick!

I am CD4! I will defend you!

Attack! I will make the Body sick!

Inspired and adapted from Tools for HIV Counseling for the Asia-Pacific Art by PAULINE RAE NEBRAN & DOHNIERO LOZANO

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Attack!!

Time to attack the Body again!

Another one? No, you won’t!

What would I do without you, CD4?

Why CAN’T I defend myself?!

Nooo! Where are you CD4?!

I’m gonna attack you CD4!

I win!

Oh no, you won’t!

I can defend myself!

Goodbye, Body–

Thank you, CD4!

You can do it, CD4!

Oh nooo!! How can I defend myself now??!

I can’t protect myself, you win.

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Partners & Affiliated Organizations Positive Youth Development Network (PYDN) The Philippines’ pioneering youth development, and accrediting network, dedicated to building strong, socially aware, and sustainable youth organizations responsive to the evolving needs and opportunities of the country.

This network initiated the Young Heroes Initiative- High Five which is the root of where Project GenZine is now growing.

Youth Affairs and Development Office (YADO) Youth Affairs and Development Office also known as YADO is under the City Mayor’s Office of the City Government of GenSan dedicated to promote Youth and Development. Its goal is to build young leaders and change-makers in the city of General Santos.

Supreme Student Government Federation of General Santos City Division The Supreme Student Government (SSG) is the foremost co-curricular student organization authorized to operate and implement pertinent programs, projects, and activities in schools nationwide. It lays the groundwork for good governance, volunteerism, unity, and cooperation by providing students various venues where they can improve their leadership knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Inc. SOCCSKARGEN Chapter (FPOP) The Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) is the largest and most prominent non-governmental family planning organization in the Philippines.

Various activities are held in partnership with this organization, such as celebrating World Aids Day, distributing free contraceptives in public, and seminars.

Coffee By George (CBG) Coffee By George (CBG) aims to provide guests the world’s best freshly roasted coffees with excellent service. Their commitment to best practices towards customer service, our employees, the environment, and our community defines their mission. CBG is also an advocate of Youth Empowerment through the arts, education, information dissemination, and responsible freedom of expression.

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Local Government Unit of General Santos City (LGU GenSan) In charge of making the City of General Santos progressive, healthy, and safe.

Makers of Local Laws to follow to ensure the stability of each community.

Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) is the focal inter-agency body of the Philippine Government for children. It is mandated to coordinate the implementation and enforcement of all laws; formulate an integrated national policy and long-range programs, monitor and evaluate the implementation of this policy, and all programs and services; advocate and mobilize resource assistance for the general welfare and protection of children by virtue of Presidential Decree 603, amended by Executive Order 233 s. 1987.

City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) City Social Welfare and Development Office is the Social Welfare Arm of the Local Government of General Santos

Department of Health Region 12 (DOH) The Department of Health (DOH) is the principal health agency in the Philippines.

It is responsible for ensuring access to basic public health services to all Filipinos through the provision of quality health care and regulation of providers of health goods and services.

Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of General Santos City.

Sangguniang Kabataan is a council meant to represent the youth in each barangay in the Philippines.

Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) was established on August 19, 1982 as the social arm of Shell companies in the Philippines. They aspire to spearhead fit-forpurpose projects that respond not only to the needs of Shell’s worksites and host communities, but to the rest of the country. PSFI aims to build the capacities of the most vulnerable sectors of Philippine society by closely working together with its partners, stakeholders and the Shell companies in contributing to the country’s sustainable development. At all times, the organization upholds the Shell core values of honesty, integrity, and respect for people.

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UNICEF Philippines - United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child in 190 countries and territories, with a special focus on reaching those in greatest need.

UNICEF, in partnership with ING (Internationale Nederlanden Groep) is one of the primary funders of Young Heroes Initiative- High Five, which made this project much easier to fulfill.

Y-PEER Pilipinas- Youth Peer Education Network The Youth Peer Education Network (Y-PEER), is a groundbreaking and comprehensive youth-to-youth initiative pioneered by UNFPA. Y-PEER is a network of more than 500 non-profit organizations and governmental institutions; its membership includes thousands of young people who work in the many areas surrounding adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

Center for Health Solutions & Innovations Philippines, Inc. (CHSI) CHSI look at problems as challenges and turn them into opportunities to make a difference in the lives of Filipino families and communities. Their mission is to provide innovative, evidence-based solutions to health and social challenges in the Philippines. Furthermore, their vision is that families, health workers, civil society, and government in the Philippines work in synergy for healthier and more productive communities.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) UNFPA is formally named the United Nations Population Fund. UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Their mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

City Health Office It is the local health office in General Santos City wherein anyone is encouraged to consult any health-related concerns, especially those who are involved in food handling businesses to undergo medical assessment in order to be issued with a Health Certificate by the City Health Officer.

Acknowledgement Project GenZine would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Positive Youth Development Network (PYDN) who commenced Young Heroes Initiative- High Five where this project started, to Youth Affairs and Development Office (YADO) who actively publicizes Youth and Development, to Supreme Student Government Federation of General Santos City Division, to Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Inc. SOCCSKARGEN Chapter (FPOP) for conducting activities in partnership with Project GenZine, to Coffee by George (CBG) who too advocates Youth Empowerment, to the Local Government Unit of General Santos City (LGU GenSan), to Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), to City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), to Department of Health Region 12 (DOH), and to City Health Office. Project Genzine would also like to include a special note of thanks to UNICEF Philippines (United Nations Children’s Fund), to Y-PEER Pilipinas (Youth Peer Education Network), UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), CSHI (Center for Health Solutions & Innovations), Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of General Santos City, and to Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc.

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2021