AUGUST 2020
First-ever National HIV Prevention Month rallies for a #SaferNowPH #HotDoctors of Pinas are in the frontlines in promoting HIV Combination Prevention. Photo grabbed from @HIVPrevMonth
written by Bet Domingo
Lakan vloggers storm the streets of Pampanga written by John Albert Pascual The Lakan Community Center takes the HIV advocacy into the vlogging space in support of the National HIV Prevention Month 2020. In their vlog, hosts Roman De Guzman and Elton John Pascual take on the men on the streets of Pampanga to distribute gather insights on condom use amid the pandemic measures. Geared with face masks and face shields , the Lakan vlog team stormed Balibago, Astro Park, Angeles City, and Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga to interview people on their perceptions of condoms. Their vlog was released during the NHPM Condom and Lube Day on August 8. Convincing people to spare some time and partake in the interview made... continue to page 6
Responding to the UNAIDS’ challenge to adopt a combination approach to HIV prevention, the Champion Community Centers and SKPA Philippines spearheaded the first-ever National HIV Prevention Month (NHPM) this year. The celebration was strategically launched in response to the recent Presidential Proclamation No. 971, declaring the second week of July as Infection Prevention and Control Week. Besides the striking rate of COVID-19 cases, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that in the first quarter of the year, around 2,800 Filipinos were diagnosed with HIV. This surfaced the need to intensify promotion of HIV prevention methods.
What’s inside? 3
Community in Action: 110 ‘PrEPPY Peers,’ to scale-up PrEP services in Central Luzon
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Community Spotlight: Kagay-an PLUS celebrates five years of advocacy
Themed “Safer Now”, the NHPM celebration aims to promote use and access of four HIV combination prevention methods, including condoms and lubricants, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and Treatment as Prevention (TasP). Following the UNAIDS’ harm reduction model, the campaign acknowledges that promoting one method alone is not enough to stop the HIV epidemic. This month-long celebration highlighted the prevention methods through a series of online activities throughout the month of August. The NHPM kicked-off on July 31 through an online event introducing the importance of having the power to choose how one protects oneself from HIV... continue to page 3
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Community in Action: Mujer distributes condoms and lubes in Zamboanga City
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Freedom Wall: Winners of photography contests for Condoms and Lube Day
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Community Comics: Combi Nation (3rd episode)
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