Ripples: Sharing Stories, Empowering Communities (February 2021 Issue)

February 2021 Issue

FEBRUARY 2021

Photo from Quezon Public Information Office

PROTECTS ties in more LGUs to eradicate the HIV epidemic As the Champion Community Centers continue to grow, more local government units (LGUs) in the country are taking part in the nationwide initiative to eradicate HIV and AIDS in the Philippines. Baguio City and the Quezon Province are among the additions to the Global Fund-supported areas in the country under the PROTECTS project.

From February 9 to 11, PROTECTS Program Manager JM Maynes and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Rafael Reyes met with different stakeholders in Baguio City.

A meeting was held with the Area Regional Coordinator, Mikhail Taggueg, along with the regional field staff, to identify and address the challenges they encountered in the initial activities of the project. FPOP Baguio Chapter also shared their initiatives and best practices in empowering the

written by Raymond Manahan

youth to spread awareness on HIV, family planning, and adolescent sexual health during the meeting. The team also visited stakeholders in the Department of HealthCordillera Administrative Region to finally lay down the plans for the PROTECTS project and discuss potential collaborations.

CSJDM brings HIV services to the streets through mobile clinics

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written by Edgar Bagasol Jr.

The City of San Jose del Monte (CSJDM) in Bulacan ramps up their strategy to make HIV services more accessible to people through mobile clinics. Dubbed “Safe Love ON THE GO,” CSJDM plans to launch the country’s first mobile HIV clinics this March 2021.

Safe Love ON THE GO mobile clinic is a vehicle equipped with HIV and STI services that can travel around the city and remote areas. According to CSJDM HIV Coordinator Daniel Mangahas, the use of mobile clinics are responsive to the ongoing pandemic which limited people’s access to HIV and STI prevention, testing, and treatment services.

“Although, medyo relaxed na yung quarantine, and dami pa ring KP [(key populations]) ang nahihirapang mag-access ng mga HIV services. So our mobile clinics

are our response para madala namin ang serbisyo sa kanila instead of them going to our facilities,” (Although the quarantine has relaxed a bit, many KPs still find difficulty in accessing HIV services. So our mobile clinics are our response so we can provide the service to them instead of them going to our facilities) Mangahas expressed.

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Community in Action: Community-based organizations are pumped for the new grant

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Community Spotlight: HIV & COVID-19 FAQs

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Community Spotlight: The AYAT of Ilocanos

What’s inside?

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Freedom Wall: What is love in the time of COVID-19 pandemic Love, Loving, Loveless

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Community Comics: Combi Nation (9th episode)

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EDITORIAL

February 2021 Issue

EDITORIAL BOARD A message from LoveYourself’s Executive Director, Dr. Ronivin Pagtakhan

In welcoming the new year, we set our goals with an optimistic outlook for the year ahead. Then, we gain our momentum by the second month.

This is the very reason why the month of February can evoke a fresh vibe to conquer new heights and lead on to new beginnings. It brings out positive emotions, radiating the values of hope, gratefulness, and of course - what else can be more fitting than love.

This year, the Champion Community Centers network is hopeful to fulfill the greater vision of the new Global Fund grant called PROTECTS managed by Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. With the new and rekindled connection with the local government units and its communities, we are looking forward to elevate the delivery of HIV services around the country alongside our seasoned community partners and newest additions.

While we are in the process of moving on to this brighter chapter, let me take this opportunity to thank all community-based organizations (CBOs) that have become part of the recently concluded ACER program. As we cherish our times together, may you continue to grow and flourish in serving your respective communities. We’ve seen the impact of our efforts with the budding of new frontliners and groups in the fight against HIV. We are also hoping for the success and sustainability of the mobile clinic in San Jose del Monte in Bulacan. Truly, this innovation will serve as a benchmark for community organizations and LGUs to prioritize and adapt such services to reach more people.

The Champion network also look up to and grateful for the aggressive promotion of the Department of Health-Region 3 (DOH-R3) for their "Safe Love" campaign. This information drive and activation in DOH-R3 coincides with the "Fit 2Gether" and Always in Fashion – Condom Fashion contest and online show for the celebration of International Condom Day by LoveYourself and AHF Philippines. It also complements the newest #SaferNowPH campaign on debunking HIV myths and misconceptions, using the influential voices of smart witted and sensibly funny Baklang Kanal HIV advocates.

Diego Rozul Editor-in-Chief News Editor Edgar Bagasol Jr. Managing Editor Layout Artist Nadim Lumubos Features Editor Literary Editor Queen Mauhay TJ Monzon Illustrator for Combi Nation Contributors Asha Gutierrez Raymond Manahan Ryan De Torres

Raybert Domingo Adviser

Finally, we are also expressing our love to every one through the literary pieces of our multi-faceted and talented community advocates. After all, we are all banded by love - love for ourselves, love for others and love for our communities.

Happy love month to all! Hugs and kisses!

SHARE YOUR STORY! Create more Ripples by sharing stories of your own communities. This may include your events, activities, research, innovations, or any human interest stories that you think could inspire others in forwarding our cause.

To contribute, you may contact us at ripplespub@loveyourself.ph

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February 2021 Issue

NEWS

clinics who will be responsible for conducting the services.

According to Mangahas, the mobile clinic is designed like a moving one-stop-shop.

They even incorporated a telehealth system in the vehicle so that clients can remotely consult with a Doctor about their HIV/STI concerns. Clients can also get condoms, lubricants, and even refill their antiretroviral (ARV) medications from the mobile clinic.

Continuation: CSJDM brings HIV services...

Aside from the convenience, Mangahas said that their mobile clinics will help them better ensure the safety of their staff and the confidentiality of their clients. He specifically pointed out that whenever they do outreach programs at night in cruising spots, clients’ confidentiality is sometimes

The mobile clinics will also help in bringing the services closer to the communities in the city. “Most of our KPs here are MSM and youth, and it’s been a struggle reaching them,” Mangahas underscored, adding that many of these sectors are scared to pay a visit to an HIV-service facility because of social stigma, among many other unspoken reasons. compromised. This is also one of the reasons why the local government unit of CSJDM has pushed for the mobile clinics to deliver HIV services to key populations safely and discretely.

With this initiative, the city with the leadership of Mangahas hopes to reach more KPs, especially in remote areas, and provide them regular access to HIV and STI services. To do this, the city will utilize their networks in “clans” (online groups of KPs) A team of peer educators and health staff and will engage local barangays in the proare assigned to each of their two mobile motion and conduct of the service.

Continuation: PROTECTS ties in more...

The City of Lucena also welcomed the PROTECTS team on February 19.

LoveYourself Senior Program Manager JD Ruanto, together with Program Manager JM Maynes, visited the Integrated Provincial Health Office of Quezon and met with the medical director of Quezon Medical Center, Dr. Rolando Padre. After their facility tour, Maynes and Ruanto discussed the project with the people in the Governor’s office, highlighting the strategies on how to strengthen multi-sectoral approach to responding to the epidemic.

These visits are part of the onboarding process of LGUs and other community partners conducted by PROTECTS. In the next few months, the PROTECTS team will initiate courtesy visits and coordination meetings with other LGUs: first, to have a deeper understanding of each areas' HIV situation, second, to establish a stronger relationship with local stakeholders and partners, and lastly, align local targets with the national targets in the HIV care cascade.

LoveYourself's meeting with the local government unit (LGU) of Quezon Province aimed to harmonize efforts in eradicating HIV/AIDS and STI in the province. After the meeting, the LGU pledged to upscale prevention efforts by working with private and public community partners in the province. Photo from Quezon Public Information Office

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FEATURES NEWS

February 2021 Issue

Community-based organizations are pumped for the new grant written by Raymond Manahan

Leads of the Champion Community Centers network are pumped with the new round grant from the Global Fund (GF) to help their respective communities grow and be sustainable.

from the grant and our partners,” said David. Both organizations are committed to strengthening their relationship with partners such as the local government unit and the local health office, and other stakeholders to widen their reach among high risk groups. “We want to reach more comThe Decent Image of South Signal Associa- panies like call centers, clinics, and malls. tion (DIOSSA) and Family Planning Organi- We also intend to involve youth volunteers zation of the Philippines (FPOP) Pampanga to support our activities,” said David.

Chapter are among the organizations that have been part of the network since its es- She also emphasized that the ACER protablishment. ject played an integral role in their community center’s growth towards being able DIOSSA is a transgender-focused CBO to offer services not just for HIV testing based in Taguig, which specializes in ad- and treatment, but also for other STIs and dressing sexual health, psychosocial combination prevention campaigns. Laguwell-being, and human rights-related is- ing, on the other hand, highlighted their sues in the transgender community. Tan- technical learnings in programmatic and ya Laguing, President of DIOSSA, said the financial reporting. Moving forward into organization expects new challenges from the PROTECTS project, DIOSSA and FPOP the project given its wider scope and new Pampanga Chapter will use this foundastrategies. With this, the organization re- tion not just to contribute to the program’s lies on more focus on key population (KP) goals, but also to flourish as Champion interventions and the employment of in- Community Centers. novative strategies.

Leader's perspective FPOP Pampanga Chapter is a local unit of the Family Planning Organization of the Among the people looking forward to Philippines, based in San Fernando City. the transition to PROTECTS project is FPOP is a nationwide organization that LoveYourself’s Senior Program Manager, concentrates in providing services on sex- J.D. Ruanto. ual & reproductive health and rights. Leading its Pampanga location is its Chapter Ruanto started as a program officer under Program Manager, Valentina David. the GF ISEAN-HIVOS Programme grant IN 2014 and eventually served as the ProSimilar to DIOSSA, David said that the new gram Manager for ACER in 2018. He now goals and strategies of PROTECTS will provides oversight to external grants at bring new challenges to the organization. LoveYourself.

Nonetheless, she expects that with the help of the community and all its partners, He expressed that the PROTECTS project the organization will be able to better con- will continue giving technical assistance to tribute to reaching the project’s targets. community centers and support for organizational development to CBOs engaged in “We hope to be able to reach more peo- the ACER grant. “It is still our goal to HELP ple in the community, given the support MORE CBOs under GF Sites to establish their own COMMUNITY CENTERS and Strengthen capacities of CBOs to ensure 4

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organizational sustainability,” Ruanto said.

In addition to existing 15 community centers developed under ACER GRANT, nine more centers will be established this year and new CBOs will be engaged in the PROTECTS project as part of its mission to widen the scope of the advocacy.

New mechanisms and strategies will also be employed by the project to take a more community-centric and context-specific approach. Ruanto said, “we will maximize the use of online platforms in disseminating information about HIV testing and communicating the importance of treatment. Emphasis will also be given to developing localized campaign materials focusing on different key populations.”

He added that innovative strategies will be one of the highlights of the PROTECTS project. Though he sees this as both opportunity and challenge, Ruanto maintains that with the combined efforts of the LGU, CBOs, the regional health office, and other partners, these innovations will be pivotal to reaching the goals of the project.

Above all the strategies the PROTECTS project will utilize, he believes that a strong collaboration with the LGU and the regional health office is key to the success of the project. “This is a national project and the Global Fund is here to help the government in its initiatives to eradicate HIV and AIDS in the Philippines,” Ruanto said.

It is Ruanto’s hope that the project will be able to reach more people and strengthen more community centers. “We want to engage more KPs, and make sure no one is left behind”, he added. With wider reach, innovative strategies, and community-specific approaches, Ruanto is optimistic that the PROTECTS project will not only contribute to the national response to HIV and AIDS, but also to the UNAIDS 2025 target.

COVID & HIV FAQS February 2021 Issue

written by Edgar Bagasol Jr.

Nade-detect ba ng COVID-19 test ang HIV sa katawan?

Mas mataas ba ang risk ng mga PLHIV sa pag-acquire ng COVID-19?

Hindi nade-detect ng COVID-19 test ang HIV o iba pang sexually-transmitted infections sa katawan ng isang tao. Tanging Ayon sa Centers for Disease Control and COVID-19 lamang ang kaya nitong i-dePrevention (CDC), limitado pa ang pag- tect. aaral na nagagawa tungkol sa paksang ito.

Ngunit naniniwala ang CDC na pareho lang Ang COVID-19 testing ay may dalawang ang level of risk ng mga PLHIV on treat- uri: viral test at antibody test. Sa viral test ment sa pagkakaroon ng COVID-19 sa nalalaman kung ikaw ay currently infected ng COVID-19. Sa antibody test naman namga taong walang HIV. de-detect kung mayroon kang past infecGayunpaman, maaaring mas mataas ang tion ng virus.

COVID-19 risk ng mga PLHIV na may underlying medical conditions o may ma- Kailangan bang i-disclose ng isang hinang resistensya. Kasama rito ang mga PLHIV ng kanyang status pag PLHIV na may mababang CD4 cell count magpapa-COVID-19 test? at hindi naggagamot.

Hindi requirement ang HIV status disclosure sa COVID-19 testing. Discretion ng Epektibo ba ang antiretroviral isang PLHIV ang pagdi-disclose ng kan(ARV) drugs laban sa COVID-19? yang status sa kanyang COVID-19 testing Sa kasalukuyan, wala pang ebidensya na provider. Ito ay nakasaad sa Republic Act nagpapatunay na ang ARV ay epektibo 11166 o HIV & AIDS Policy Act of 2018. laban sa COVID-19. Bagaman, may mga pag-aaral na isinasagawa upang malaman Anong COVID-19 test ang dapat i-take ng isang PLHIV at paano ito ginagawa? ang relasyon ng COVID-19, HIV at ARV. Posible bang magkaroon ng COVID-19 ang isang PLHIV na may undetectable status?

Walang partikular na COVID-19 test para sa mga PLHIV. Bukod dito, saka lang kailangan ng isang PLHIV ang magpa-test for COVID-19 kapag classified siya as Ang mga PLHIV na above 200 ang CD4 symptomatic (may sintomas)/exposed o cell count, naka-treatment, at may unde- in-advised ng kanyang physician. tectable status ay pareho lang ang level of risk sa pagkakaroon ng COVID-19 sa Sa kasalukuyan, ang Reverse Transcription ibang tao. Kung kaya’t kailangan pa rin Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) ang nilang mag-practice ng COVID-19 preven- pinakamabisang uri ng COVID-19 test. tion measures gaya ng pananatili sa bahay, Nade-detect nito kung currently infected madalas na pag-hugas ng kamay, palagiang ka ba ng virus o hindi. Ginagawa ang test pagsuot ng face mask at shield, at pag-ob- na ito sa pamamagitan ng nasal o throat serve ng physical distancing tuwing luma- swabbing. labas.

Saan maaaring magpa-COVID-19 test ang mga PLHIV? Paano mas mapo-protektahan ng isang PLHIV ang kanyang sarili Ang LoveYourself ay nago-offer na ng RTmula sa COVID-19?

PCR COVID-19 testing services dito sa Iwasan ang exposure sa virus at panatilihin Manila. Maaari kang mag-set ng testing ang iyong katawan na malusog at malakas appointment sa link na ito: go.loveyourself. sa pamamagitan ng tuloy-tuloy na pag-in- ph/COVID19Test. om ng ARV at pagsunod sa advice ng iyong treatment doctor. Mas mapapalakas rin Sa pagbisita sa clinic, i-prepare ang iyong ang ating resistensya sa pamamagitan ng: Mandaluyong Tracker (QR code), siguradu1) pagkain nang sapat at tama; 2) pagtulog hing may suot na face mask and shield, at ng at least 8 hours per night; at 3) pag-iwas laging mag-practice ng physical distancing. sa mga bagay na nagdudulot ng stress. Nade-detect ba ng COVID-19 test ang HIV sa katawan?

NEWS FEATURES

Maaari at ligtas bang mag-take ng vaccine ang mga PLHIV? Kung ikaw ay isang PLHIV, maaari kang magpa-vaccine kung wala kang history ng severe or immediate allergic reaction sa mga vaccines. Tandaan na hindi kailangang itigil ang pag-inom ng ARV para makapagtake ng vaccine.

Kung ikaw naman ay isang PLHIV na may mahinang resistensya o may mababang CD4 cell count, be aware na maaaring iba ang maging response ng katawan mo sa vaccine at gayundin ang response ng vaccine sa katawan mo. Gayumpaman, mainam na komunsulta muna sa iyong Doctor upang malaman kung ano ang mas magandang gawin. Pagkatapos ma-vaccinate, ipagpatuloy ang pagpa-practice ng COVID-19 preventive measures.

Kailangan bang maging undetectable ang isang PLHIV para makapag-take ng vaccine?

Hindi requirement ang pagiging undetectable para makapag-take ng COVID-19 vaccine. Ngunit para sa mga PLHIV na below 200 ang CD4 cell count, maaaring iba ang maging response ng katawan nila sa vaccine, lalo na sa mga may history ng allergic reactions sa components ng vaccine. Gayundin, pagkatapos ma-vaccinate, ipagpatuloy ang pagpa-practice ng COVID-19 preventive measures.

Kailangan bang i-disclose ng isang PLHIV ng kanyang status pag magpapabakuna?

Discretion ng isang PLHIV ang pagdi-disclose ng kanyang HIV status bago magtake ng vaccine. Gayunpaman, mas mainam kung alam ng vaccinator ang iyong general health status upang mapayuhan ka kung ano ang mga posibleng epekto ng vaccine sa katawan mo at magabayan ka kung paano mo mas mapo-protektahan ang iyong sarili mula sa COVID-19.

Saan at papaano makakuha ng vaccine ang mga PLHIV? Wala pang malinaw na guidelines ang pamahalaan sa pag-access ng vaccine at sa kung anong uri ng vaccine ang ligtas para sa lahat. Gayunpaman, obligasyon ng pamahalaan na ma-ensure ang access ng lahat ng tao, lalo na ng mga PLHIV, sa COVID-19 vaccines at iba pang health services.

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FEATURES

February 2021 Issue

The AYAT of Ilocanos written by Edgar Bagasol Jr.

The fast-growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country has been alarming. And as an advocate, I have always wanted to initiate something for this cause, especially in my province, Ilocos Norte.

It was a Saturday late evening last October when I finally had the guts to invite Jurgen Rapacon, a nurse and a fellow advocate, to start an HIV cause in Ilocos Norte. I first met Jurgen in a virtual orientation organized by another HIV-focused group here in Manila on that same day and the moment I knew that he is an Ilocano, I immediately looked for him on social media and prepared my speech. I was actually quite hesitant to connect with him at first because of his background but, I’d say now, pushing that send button is one of the things that I will always be grateful for in my life. That invitation I sent him that night has now turned into something transformative and meaningful.

In November 2020, the AYAT advocacy was born.

The AYAT advocacy is my vision. Since I graduated from college, I have always wanted to lead an HIV-related cause in my home province where HIV cases are still low in numbers, but so is the level of Ilocano’s awareness about HIV; it’s almost a strange topic for them. And Jurgen can attest to this saying that most Ilocanos, if not all, are still very conservative and that conversations about sex and anything related to it, including HIV, are still a taboo and highly stigmatized.

Our conversations went on for days and even weeks, discussing about what something could we do to increase the Ilocanos’ awareness on HIV and normalize sex conversations while considering the Ilocano’s religious orthodoxy. We were hesitant to

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introduce beliefs and behaviors that may sound intrusive or imposing for them given the fact that not many programs have been implemented about HIV specifically in Ilocos. We reflected as we conversed and finally in November, we arrived at a common ground: Love. We both agreed that by sharing the value of love, we will be able to empower our fellow Ilocanos with the right knowledge and attitude towards taking care of oneself, and by extension, protecting oneself from HIV.

Digital campaigns - Maximize social media platforms to spark awareness on HIV/AIDS and facilitate discourse to address stigma and discrimination against affected individuals.

From then on, we started gathering more Ilocano advocates, engaging them to our conversations; unpacking their opinions about the sex culture in Ilocos, as well as with their insights on the strategies on how we can effectively communicate our cause to the people without sounding too combative to Ilocano’s conservative beliefs. Grounded from these shared conversations and reflections, we agreed to call our group, the AYAT advocacy. An Ilocano term for love, “AYAT” stands for Advocates Yearning for an Ardent and Transformative HIV advocacy in Ilocos.

Shared advocacy - Explore opportunities for networking and partnerships with key stakeholders, including government institutions, international and private groups, medical and civil societies, and people’s organizations to ensure optimum impact in the communities we mutually serve.

Our vision, mission, and strategies

Building capacities - Capacitate individuals on leadership, technical, creative and life skills as a way of empowering the self and the community.

Care and support - Serve as a safe space for everyone, especially for people living with HIV, by fostering inclusivity, embracing sex positivity, and providing psychosocial support.

Initiated as an HIV awareness and support group, AYAT advocacy envisions championing self and community empowerment in Ilocos by embracing the values of love and equity. By mobilizing a community of ardent advocates, we strive to realize this vision through these strategies:

These strategies are also grounded from our shared core values: ayat (love), gagar (passion), and panagkaykaysa (unity). Love drives our passion for the advocacy and unity to transform stigmatizing notions about HIV and sex, combat discrimination towards people affected by it, and make Ilocos free from HIV by imparting people Community outreach - Utilize our the right knowledge and preventive praccapacities and resources to conduct tices against the virus.

HIV education drives and provide other sexual health services, includ- Ardent Ilocano youth heed the call ing but not limited to, HIV preven- When we started AYAT, we did not expect tion, testing and counseling, and things to go smoothly, yet the number of linkage to care. people who see the same vision as us, increased drastically. From just me and Jurgen, we are now joined by over 50 Ilocano

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February 2021 Issue

advocates coming from different fields, helping us achieve our shared vision and goals. We’ve gathered these advocates from the two virtual orientations that we conducted in the past four months.

Besides this great number, what really inspires us is the fact that most of our advocates are youth and many of them have been proactive in leading our community.

In Ilocos, the youth aged 15-24 who engage in casual and transactional sex, are deemed to be the most vulnerable sector to HIV based on the latest numbers of the province. According to Jurgen, the lack of awareness drives and limitations of facilities offering HIV and other sexual health related programs and services in the province greatly contribute to this observation.

That said, Ilocano youth leaders including Rogie Balino, Juan Carlo Florano, and JC Finale Siazon, among others heed the call to lead our advocacy. These ardent advocates have been proactive in forwarding our causes, leading the conduct of our online campaigns, and encouraging their fellow youth to join our cause. They have also been taking charge in connecting with organizations advocating causes like LGBT rights and mental health; trying to marry these advocacies and making them more holistic and responsive to the current needs of the people that we cater, especially during this time of crisis.

What we’ve done so far Due to the ongoing confinement, most of our activities so far in the AYAT advocacy are held online.

One of our feature activities is our “LABLOVE” episodes. Derived from an Ilocano term “lablab,” which means to talk/

to be talkative, LABLOVE is an online talk show wherein our members are engaged in open conversations about love, sex, and many other topics. To date, we’ve already hosted three episodes covering topics on SOGIE awareness, HIV 101 orientation, and advice on relationships. After every episode, we also release a series of infographics summarizing what we’ve talked about.

FEATURES

most of this reach are our target stakeholders---Ilocanos.

I believe that Jurgen and I were meant to meet that day. If it was not for the invitation I sent him that night, our advocacy would not have existed. But ultimately, if it not for the Ilocano advocates who are yearning with us to forward a progressive love and sex culture in Ilocos, our family and advocacy would not have flourished This love month, we have also released an the way it is now.

HIV prevention campaign called “#LoveSafely.” This campaign featured different What’s next for us? Well, besides enriching HIV prevention strategies, including HIV our online presence through continuous education, use of condoms, PrEP and PEP, activities and campaigns, what we really and encouraging people living with HIV to want for now is to keep this family growadhere to their treatment to achieve un- ing and try reaching more Ilocanos and detectable status and subsequently help make them aware about the importance of prevent possible HIV transmission. This our cause. Jurgen and I, together with our campaign is complemented with a regular youth lead advocates, can only do so much video posting dubbed “AYAT ti Ilocano,” so we need more hands and minds to help.

(Love of Ilocanos) featuring quotes that encourage love for oneself and for others. Numbers-wise, we recognize that HIV is still not much of a concern in Ilocos as comOrganizing these online activities and pared to other cities and provinces in the campaigns have been a challenge for us country, but do we have to wait for numsince we have not yet met personally as a bers to surge before we actually act on it? group. The proactive engagement of our Should we keep ignoring the fact that sex youth lead advocates however has been culture in Ilocos has been problematic and key in the conduct and success of these the number of facilities where people can online activities. access sexual health services and opportunities to learn about sexual health are very What’s next for AYAT? limited? Simple answer is a resounding NO. Ilocanos are resilient and resourceful, I’m still overwhelmed with how fast we’ve so is AYAT advocacy. AYAT advocacy will been growing as a community. And consid- help Ilocanos cope from the HIV epidemic ering the limitations posed by the ongoing and equip them with the right knowledge pandemic, I’m also still in awe realizing and behaviors to face any threats to our what we’ve done so far; first in estab- overall health. lishing our presence as a community, and second in successfully conducting online To know more about our cause, visit and activities and campaigns to forward our follow our Facebook page: AYAT advocacy cause. To date, we are now reaching over or you may join in our growing community 1,000 people on social media, hoping that through our Facebook group: AYAT advocacy.

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LITERARY

February 2021 Issue

the misery, the pain, and the love for him surging through me as I grieve in despair.

We have never been so close, but during this pandemic, he stayed beside me, making me feel secured and safe. However, my beshies are there to support and comfort me during my devastating days. During as a smile etched in my lips while looking this pandemic, I got to reach people I have at the people who are still willing to share never had time to reconnect with again, what they have even though they are los- get to know other people, and survive with ing something on their ends. them.

As I left the Pedro Gil station, I saw one of my colleagues who is a nurse and is about One night before I sleep, I have the time to to go to work. My heart is awed. I sensed appreciate more of what I have, of where his strong sense of bravery and passion for I am. A part of me is thankful for the longhelping those who are in need. I salute him est community lockdown because I got and the other health professionals who the chance to bond with my family. My are selflessly and wholeheartedly treating family has been there to laugh with me, to those patients with Covid-19 infections, encourage me and became my source of despite having limited support and assis- strength and inspiration. tance.

I think the value of love during this panUpon my arrival at the university to have demic has changed drastically. It showed my first personal meeting with my col- the materialistic things are not the primary leagues, the scenario gave me a totally dif- reason why people love. All of us have exferent feeling. Uneasiness and somehow perienced a lot during this calamity. Some excitement runs through me—thanking might have lost their loved ones, some God that finally, I get a reason to be out- might have thought of losing hope and side. I am amazed by my colleague’s ded- some find this situation an opportunity to ication and perseverance to provide qual- change their perspectives. Nevertheless, ity education to our students, despite the because of what happened, the pandemic odds of online teaching. gave us the chances to magnify the beauty of love, with love, for love, and to love! It As I got home, a lovely news came. My sis- gives us time to love ourselves and others. ter delivered a healthy baby boy—a new It makes us choose love and still live with member of the family, a new hope, a new love. source of happiness. Everyone is excited and it really is something to look forward to from time to time. However, a few months later, a heart shattering news came to me. My dog died. I felt

What is Love in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic? written by Ryan De Torres Almost everyone’s life has changed because of the pandemic called COVID-19 that many have experienced loss and despair. There are deaths of loved ones, closures of businesses, retrenchments in work, and separations from people we love which made people cry because of anxieties, depressions, and had fear of the possibilities to happen today and tomorrow. Community quarantine, disrupted transportation, and physical distancing made us long for warm hugs, spontaneous talk, group bonding, and family gatherings. As we walk through with our life today, how did the pandemic change the way we love? What love has become to everyone during this time?

Passing through the walkways in the LRT, I see darkness and emptiness. The female vendor I used to talk to was no longer there selling my favorite dumplings. I started to wonder where she is right now, hoping that she is okay and having something to put on her table. Realizing the situation makes me feel sad and down, but I have to move forward.

While riding the LRT, looking outside, I see groups of people giving and sharing food in the street. I see the hint of light and happiness painted in the faces of the people as they receive the food. Hope resides in me

LOVE Can be a moment of sublime, Created between snippets, Of wishes in harmony, For me, a smile Of yours O...

LOVELESS Should it only be a memory, some say just forget, they pretend, LOVING impossible, Loving you was like, for me, A maze that I would, again...

Not mind, getting, Lost in, again...

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written by Asha Gutierrez

February 2021 Issue

COMICS

Artwork by TJ Monzon

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February 2021 Issue

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