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

January 2021 Issue

JANUARY 2021

Photo grabbed from Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc.

PROTECTS: CCC transitions to new Global Fund grant

The Champion Community Centers (CCC) network continues its endeavor to strengthen the country’s response to the HIV epidemic through community-based organizations (CBOs).

Taking off from the Accelerating Community Engagement and Response (ACER) project, the new HIV Global Fund grant transitions to the Philippines Response in Optimizing Testing, Empowered Communities, Treatment and Sustainability (PROTECTS) project. Running from 2021 to 2023, the PROTECTS project adds focus on scaling-up prevention and testing strategies employed by CBOs and partner local government units (LGUs). These include expansion of access points across the country and provision of PrEP and HIV self-testing kit supplies.

written by Raymond Manahan

With guidance from Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. as the grant’s principal recipient,, LoveYourself, as the sub-recipient,will lead the CBOs in doing this mission. More CBOs will join the roster of CCCs under To do these, PROTECTS will continue en- the project. LGUs, as well as, private fahancing the capacities of CBOs to ensure cilities, across the country will also help in their effectiveness and sustainability, both accomplishing the project’s goals. in service provision and advocacy.

LoveYourself offers RT-PCR COVID-19 testing in Manila written by Queenie Mauhay

LoveYourself opens its reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 testing services in Manila. Through its Luxecare program, LoveYourself levels up their testing services with the gold standard of COVID-19 testing.

Timely testing has been a large component for us in LoveYourself to provide data to the Epidemiological Bureau of the Department of Health for HIV. "In battling the twin pandemic, we’ve expanded our services to include COVID testing as well," shared Ronivin Pagtakhan, Executive Director of LoveYourself.

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PROTECTS’ goals ultimately aim to contribute to the achievement of the new UNAIDS 2025 AIDS Target, which include: 1.)

95% of PLHIV know their status; 2.) 95% of PLHIV who know their status initiate treatment; and 3.) 95% of PLHIV on treatment are virally suppressed. Know more about these targets at https://aidstargets2025. unaids.org/

What’s inside?

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Community in Action: LoveYourself White House spearheads SelfCare roll-out in Cebu City

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Community in Action: #QueensOfPrEP take over

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Community Spotlight: Through the eyes of a PLHIV

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Community Spotlight: What is it like to be a HACT nurse?

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Freedom Wall: Three A's we should know for the new beginning

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Freedom Wall: Birheng Maria Regalo ni Mario

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Community Comics: Combi Nation (8th episode)

Shop for a Cause!

It's never too late to plan wonderful things this year! Buy the limited edition 2021 LoveYourself Planner for only ₱500.00.

Scan the QR code to order.

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EDITORIAL

January 2021 Issue

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

Happy 2021, Lovers and Champions!

Every January we are setting ourselves for a new beginning. Some have new year’s resolutions. Some buy new things while some set new plans. This is exactly what our Champion Community Centers are up to as the brand new year unfolds before our very eyes.

With the pandemic still lingering this year, LoveYourself delve into a new territory by offering reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for SARSCoV-2 to clients who wish to know their COVID-19 status for travel and work purposes.

Diego Rozul Editor-in-Chief News Editor Edgar Bagasol Jr. Managing Editor Layout Artist Nadim Lumubos Features Editor Literary Editor Queen Mauhay

As regards to sexual health, LoveYourself expanded its SelfCare program to Cebu, introducing the new normal way of HIV screening in the Visayas. This initiative is in preparation for the nationwide release of SelfCare.

TJ Monzon Illustrator for Combi Nation

The #SaferNowPh campaigns for HIV testing is still ongoing, featuring Boys’ Love actors Paolo Pangilinan and LoveYourself TV’s very own, Got’chu Fam BL Sitcom actors. Meanwhile, #QueensOfPrEP campaign is still ongoing this year with Trans and Cis beauty queens and advocates. All of these changes under the LoveYourself scope will ensure everyone’s safety and protection against the twin pandemic of COVID-19 and HIV.

Contributors Aeronne Ara Pagtakhan Asha Gutierrez Cherry Mae Valdez Raymond Manahan Ryan Taborada Students from Tanza National Comprehensive High School

But the major change this year for the Champion network is the transitioning of ACER to PROTECTS project. As the program transitions, we expected to tap more communities to accelerate and respond to the call for an effective and efficient management of HIV in their respective localities.

If 2020 enabled us to innovate and adapt, the year 2021 will be a year of change and improvement. Together with our dedicated volunteers, I will guarantee that we will look for ways on how we can create a better experience for all clients, and provide a better living condition for all people living and non-living with HIV.

Raybert Domingo Adviser

Let’s continue to be optimistic despite all that’s happening around us. We will come through this year!

I’m wishing everybody a fruitful and a healthy year ahead!

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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January 2021 Issue

LoveYourself White House spearheads SelfCare roll-out in Cebu City

written by Diego Rozul written by Ryan Taborada

SelfCare now available in Cebu this coming February 2021. This expansion of SelfCare in the Visayas enables LoveYourself’s HIV self-screening program to be accessible nationwide. LoveYourself White House will be facilitating deliveries in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, while LoveYourself Anglo will accommodate orders in Luzon. Through these efforts, Filipinos nationwide are enabled to access HIV testing while reducing risk of COVID-19 exposure.

the self-screening program has been a means for the people of Metro Manila to access HIV screening without physically going to a community center or social hygiene clinic. Through the efforts of LoveYourself White House, Cebu and its neighboring regions can access SelfCare as well.

"I am excited that SelfCare is now available in Metro Cebu and soon to the rest of the province. It fits the Cebuano lifestyle by providing a safe and easy way to know one’s status," shared Jan Estrada, LoveYourself Cebu Center Manager.

Moreover, Sustainability of HIV Services for Key Populations in Asia Philippines (SKPA Philippines) has sponsored a limited number of SelfCare kits for people who pass the assessment criteria. In effect, eligible individuals effectively only pay for shipping.

HIV screening services are still in demand despite the pandemic. However due to community quarantine restrictions, access to these services have become limited.

Since SelfCare’s launch in October 2020,

SelfCare gives us another option on how to take care of ourselves. It’s empowering to have the choice and be in the driver’s seat when it comes to our health, said Eenno Dinglasan, Program Lead for SelfCare.

Get your SelfCare kit now when you talk to Cat on m.me/SelfCare2s. With SelfCare, you can ensure timely screening in the comfort of your own home.

NEWS

A volunteer demonstrates how the SelfCarekit is used.

Photo by Bet Domingo

Continuation: LoveYourself offers...

Cognizant of the importance of testing in the surveillance of the twin pandemic, this new service hopes to fulfill the needs of monitoring and flattening the curves. LoveYourself shows its responsiveness to the needs of the community it serves by providing much needed testing services for both HIV and COVID-19.

RT-PCR is the most accurate diagnostic test for COVID-19 as of yet. The test is able to detect nucleatic acid from the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus - the cause of COVID-19. The test uses upper and lower respiratory samples collected through either nasal or throat swabs. Compared to antigen and antibody tests, the RT-PCR is least likely to provide false positives for people currently infected with the SARSCoV-2 virus. Set an appointment for a COVID test at go.loveyourself.ph/ COVID19Test.

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NEWS

January 2021 Issue

#QueensOfPrEP take over written by Edgar D. Bagasol Jr.

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP is safe and effective for transgender people. This is the promise of LoveYourself’s first transgender people and women-specific PrEP campaign called “Queens of PrEP.” Launched last December, the campaign aimed to encourage transgender people who are sexually active, even those who are currently in Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT), to try the medicine to protect themselves from acquiring HIV.

cis and transgender women to become the face of the campaign. Some of those who heeded the call include Ms. Trans Global 2020 Mela Habijan, Viñas Deluxe, Eva Le Queen, Eva Papaya, Captivating Katkat, Electrifying Amanda, Mrs. Tan, Brigiding Gigi, and Turing Quinto, among others. A series of online posters and video materials were disseminated via the PrEP Pilipinas social media pages throughout December, containing PrEP information and encouragement messages on taking care of one’s sexual health.

“Now that more transgender people need sexual health services, it is high time for the organization to empower them by increasing their engagement in its program and services. Transgender representation should now also be more visible in campaigns, especially that the organization will now extend to offering trans health services next year,” said SKPA Program Manager The campaign was launched during the John Oliver Corciega. #SaferNowPH Summit last December 2-4, also in time for the annual World AIDS “The #QueensOfPrEP will serve as a tranDay celebration. Throughout the summit, sitioning campaign to LoveYourself and campaign video materials were shown and SKPA’s bigger campaign on trans health key messages on the importance of PrEP planned to be launched in the first quarter uptake were underscored. These were par- of 2021,” he added. ticularly highlighted during the culmination day of the summit. Drag queens and People who are interested to take PrEP may performers from Spaces.MNL’s “Kweeens sign up through this link: go.loveyourself.

Noight,” an online drag show, actively pro- ph/PrEPPY. They may also use the Safe moted the pill along with their performanc- Spaces chatbot (m.me/SafeSpacesPH) or es and by incorporating PrEP key messages join “The PrEPPY Circle” Facebook group to know more about the medicine. in the program host and guest banters.

According to the World Health Organization, PrEP is a daily pill that offers more than 90% level of protection from HIV, if taken correctly and consistently by people who don’t have the virus. In the demonstration study conducted by LoveYourself from 2017-2019, PrEP was proven to be safe and effective both for the men having sex with men and transgender women.

Despite this finding, the organization observed that the demand for the medicine among transgender people is still low.

This was mainly attributed to the lack of transgender-specific PrEP campaigns and The campaign also reinforced the conmisconceptions on the effect of the pill to cept of HIV Combination Prevention. This their GAHT uptake. concept highlights that there are several HIV prevention methods that people may With this in mind, LoveYourself and SKPA explore and that these methods may be Philippines, launched Queens of PrEP to combined in order to achieve optimum scale-up uptake of the medicine among protection from the virus. These methods transgender people and women. This was include the use of condoms and lubricants, done by engaging a number of drag queens PrEP and Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP),

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and the concept of Treatment-as-Prevention, highlighting that people living with HIV can help prevent HIV transmission by achieving an undetectable status.

The campaign was implemented in partnership with the Champion Community Centers, Kalasag PrEP Network, World Health Organization - Philippines Country Office, Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, Camber Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Hetero, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

Over 20 drag queens and transgender influencers were engaged in the campaign.

Rolled out under the SaferNow campaign banner, the campaign mainly used both the hashtags #SaferNowPH and #QueensOfPrEP. Layout by @OwlRightStudios

January 2021 Issue

FEATURES

NEWS FEATURES

Artwork grabbed from Pixabay.com

Through the Passion in Service

eyes of a PLHIV

inations to PLHIV and their affected families. His support never fades specially with I am Cherry Mae Valdez, but you can sim- all the activities conducted or affiliated ply call me Mae. I am 30 years old and cur- with the PLHIV community. written by Cherry Mae Valdez rently living with HIV for seven years now.

“Continue believing in yourself. Your HIV It was December 2013, when I was diag- status doesn't and will I amnever Cherrydescribe Mae Valdez, but you can simply call me Mae. I am nosed with HIV. It was a blessing in dis- who you really are. Pursue your 30 years olddreams and currently living with HIV for seven years now. guised as I was detected at the early stage for yourself and not for anybody else. And and did not got to the point where I was always remember thatIt was life December is beautiful.

2013, when I was diagnosed with HIV. It was sent to a hospital to be admitted. This also Be grateful and never aforget to in call God blessing disguised as I was detected at the early stage and help my family to know more and under- whenever it's already too didheavy.” not got to the point where I was sent to a hospital to be adstand my situation and the situation of mitted. This also help my family to know more and understand others with the same disease. This also Providing knowledge my andsituation awareness to situation of others with the same disease. and the gives way to my younger cousins to be people in every community is agives big help This also way to my younger cousins to be able to take able to take care of themselves in any ways in pursuing for the zero care discrimination. of themselves in any ways possible. possible.

People do stigmatized and discriminate because they don't know factsdid not stop me for pursuing my dreams. Yes, Butand thisaccept condition But this condition did not stop me for pur- and sometimes, scared Iofexperience the facts. depression but I was able to overcome with the suing my dreams. Yes, I experience deprescommunity of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and most espesion but I was able to overcome with the My message to all, I always believe cially to God. in the community of People Living with HIV (PL- saying "knowledge is power". In any situaHIV) and most especially to God. tion, whether PLHIV, skin color, Within theeconomic seven years of my experience having this condition, status or gender, knowI the is betwasfacts. neverIthospitalized nor got sick. I was able to manage my Within the seven years of my experience ter to be equipped with knowledge health with thethan help of the antiretroviral (ARV) medicine that having this condition, I was never hospital- to ignore that this group ofgiven people were to exist. us. ized nor got sick. I was able to manage my Always have an open mind and a generous health with the help of the Antiretroviral heart.

My condition was never a hindrance on pursuing my goals, I am (ARVs) that were given to us. still where I want to be. I am working with various group and people which we have common goal, to help the PLHIV comMy condition was never a hindrance on munity. I have three (3) kids who are NOT infected with HIV. I pursuing my goals, I am still where I want have 9 year-old girl, 7 and 5 year-old boys. to be. I am working with various group and people which we have common goal, to I was able to send them to school, feed them, and provide them help the PLHIV community. I have three love, shelter and clothing. With the help of my four-year and (3) kids who are NOT infected with HIV. I counting boyfriend, who is also NOT infected with HIV, we are have 9 year-old girl, 7 and 5 year-old boys. able to continue our lives like others do and are currently fightI was able to send them to school, feed ing towards zero stigma and discriminations to PLHIV and their them, and provide them love, shelter and affected families. His support never fades specially with all the clothing. With the help of my four-year activities conducted or affiliated with the PLHIV community. and counting boyfriend, who is also NOT infected with HIV, we are able to continue “Continue believing in yourself. Your HIV status doesn't and our lives like others do and are currently will never describe who you really are. Pursue your dreams for fighting towards zero stigma and discrimyourself and not for anybody else. And always remember that life is beautiful. Be grateful and never forget to call God whenever it's already too heavy.”

Providing knowledge and awareness to people in every community is a big help in pursuing for the zero discrimination. People do stigmatized and discriminate because they don't know and accept facts and sometimes, scared of the facts.

My message to all, I always believe in the saying "knowledge is power". In any situation, whether PLHIV, skin color, economic status or gender, know the facts. It is better to be equipped with knowledge than to ignore that this group of people exist.

Always have an open mind and a generous heart.

Noam Shpancer

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FEATURES

January 2021 Issue

What is it like to be a HACT nurse?

She returned to CLDHEI to serve as a Staff Nurse for three years and worked at Villasis Polymedic Hospital and Trauma Center Fe Rhodora D. Cajulao is the HIV/ in Pangasinan for three years providing AIDS Core Team (HACT) Nurse of palliative care to patients and reviving at the Youth Center for AIDS Preven- least three people a day. tion (YCAP) Community Center. She graduated Bachelor of Science in After years of practice in private and pubNursing at Central Luzon Doctor’s lic hospitals, she tried to volunteer to a Hospital Educational Institution Non-governmental Organization though (CLDHEI) April 1991 and became a her College Friend. licensed Nurse the same year. She trained as a private nurse after li- “I became part of Family Planning Organcensure and eventually worked as ization of the Philippines (FPOP) because an ICU Nurse at the Tarlac Provincial of my College Friend, who is the Chapter Hospital.

Program Manager at the time. I asked her if I could volunteer and she gave an assignment as the Chapter Field Educator,” she recalled.

written by Nadim Lumubos

Nurse Fe mentioned that during her training and seminar on HIV Program, she envisioned that one day she will help a large number of PLHIVs in the Philippines. It was 2018 when she became the Clinic Nurse of the FPOP Pampanga handling cases on STI, HIV/AIDS. Since that day, she expounded her knowledge on HIV Program attending various seminars and training to become a Service Provider on STI, HIV/ AIDS.

“It was a dream come true,” she assured.

It was December 2019 when FPOP Pampanga with the help of Department of Health Region III and Partner NGOs, they established the YCAP Community Center, a Treatment Facility and HIV Primary Care Clinic based in Maimpis, San Fernando, Pampanga where Nurse Fe is the HACT In FPOP, she focused mainly on Sexual Nurse.

Reproductive Health & Rights including the Family Planning Services and HIV. She “It is not easy to be a HACT Nurse, you became the Supervisor of the FPOP Tar- need to study again and it is a continuous lac Chapter in 2007 under the guidance of learning,” she said as she reminisce various Ms. Valentina S. David, CPM of Pampanga procedures and processes on handling cliChapter. ents. She also shared that she needed to undergo seriest of training to prevent lost It was 2015 when the FPOP Tarlac closed of contact of the clients. down, and Nurse Fe continued her work as a volunteer Nurse in Pampanga Chapter. “Buti pa sa Hospital, kapag tapos na ang According to Nurse Fe, her turning point Duty mo okay na,” she added as she mento HIV Program was in 2018 when she at- tioned loads of work, giving an extra time tended Seminar and Training on HIV. At to her work rather than her family. Nurse first, she just attended the said activity just Fe worked in the HIV Program even in the to have a representative from the organi- middle of the night just to help clients who zation. wanted to secure privacy.

"I realized that there too many. I need to help them," she said after “You need to give time and effort to show care, love and hope to them (PLHIVs),” the seminar. quipped Nurse Fe citing her love and compassion toward her field of work.

Nurse Fe was happy when she receives positive feedbacks from her client; she is delighted in hearing words of gratitude and encouragement among them. Her saddest moments are when the condition of her clients got worse because they are not following her recommendations.

“There is passion in serving,” she finally said as she assures that she will never get tired helping PLHIVs until HIV/ AIDS in the Philippines has stopped.

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January 2021 Issue

New Year, New Me. written by Queenie Mauhay The new year has come again Like the sun shining after the rain.

My mistakes and regrets that extended In my past will come to its end.

I promise to change for myself As I finally open the book in my shelf— Dirtied with dust and rot Yet the story still has its point and dot.

I will be be standing above All the burden I can’t love.

This year is terribly blessed For I am now is at its finest.

LITERARY

Three A’s we should know for the new beginning written by Aeronne Ara Pagtakhan New beginnings start with Acceptance. It is how you accept what the world lays in front of you; problems, hardships, traumas, heartaches, loss, and mishaps. These things shape us into who we are now. It builds our character and strengthens our heart, mind, body, and soul. However, acceptance is not just about gaining something. Sometimes, acceptance means letting go. Letting go of all the ‘what if's’ and everything that has been holding you back. Then maybe, once you've accepted all of this, only then can you start to adjust and appreciate yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

2020 has been a tough year to every one of us. It has opened not just our eyes, but as well as our minds. It taught us how to accept that life is full of uncertainties and that, tomorrow is never a promise. It taught us how to adjust and allow ourselves to welcome whatever there is in store for us. Yet, we often forget to grab these chances. We forget to live our lives to the fullest, often dwelling on our lows than our everyday highs; and tend to see that one black dot on the huge piece of white paper, we call "life".

Maybe this is the year for us to truly see the light and feel the "beginning" we've always opt for; we should learn to be more appreciative for the little things that makes the great difference. Believe that it's the smell of the coffee at 6' am, the blue skies, and how the leaves dance along with the wind. It's waking up and knowing that a new day means you get another shot in life. This can give us the ability to gain a new perspective in life and learn to appreciate all the important things.

Always remember that small changes can give raise to new and better tomorrow.

So it's the dawn of the new year, should we look for ways to gain more or learn how to simply live?

Kinder over richer, laughter over order, Claim your affirmations.

written by Asha Gutierrez

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LITERARY

January 2021 Issue

written by Isagani Tunay na napakaganda ni Maria. Mapula ang kanyang mga labi, at puno ng kolorete ang kanyang mala-anghel na mukha. Bagay na bagay ang kaniyang suot na bestida, para sa baling-kinitan niyang katawan. Nagtataka tuloy ako kung bakit wala pa siyang naging nobyo, o kahit isang manliligaw. Madalas ko siyang nakikita na umaalis tuwing gabi sa kanilang bahay, at posturang-postura.

Ngunit sa lahat ng pagkakataon na siya ay aalis, wala kahit isa ang nakapagsasabi kung saan sya paparoon.

Dahilan upang mag usisa na ako.

Kasalukuyan ko siyang sinusundan ngayon gamit ang aking bisekleta papasok sa isang eskinita, hanggang tumigil siya sa isang lugar na puno ng nagkikislapang ilaw, at naglalakasang tugtog na magpapaindak sa'yo. Napansin kong tila may hinihintay siya sa labas. Hanggang sa ilang minuto na

Birheng Maria

ang lumipas, may tumigil na kotse sa kan- habang tila mangiyak-iyak na. "Idagdag mo yang harapan. pa ang pesteng sakit na ito!", matapos ang mga salitang binitawan niya, nagsimula na Kinabahan ako sa mga maaring mangyari, siyang umiyak habang sinasaktan ang sarili. kung kaya't dali-dali kong iniwan ang aking Hinayaan kong kumilos ang aking katawan bisekleta sa sulok at mabilis siyang hinila upang yakapin siya, habang unti-unti na palayo sa magulong lugar na 'yon. Nagulat ring lumalabo ang aking paningin dahil sa siya sa aking ginawa at hindi niya napigi- mga nagbabadyang luha. lang magalit.

"Krrrrnnggg, krrrrngggg". nagising na la"Ano bang kailangan mo? Hindi ka ba nan- mang ako dahil sa lakas ng tunog ng orasdidiri sa akin?", wika niya habang may ha- an, tanda na kailangan ko ng gumising. Isa lo-halong emosyon. Agad naman akong na namang panaginip na nag-pangiti sa napaisip kung bakit kailangan kong man- akin ng bahagya. diri sa kaniya, hanggang sa napagtanto ko ang lahat. "Dahil ba nagtatrabaho ka bilang "Tatay, pupunta po ba tayo sa ospital, isang bayarang babae?" Malumanay at kukuha na po ba tayo ng mga gamot namaingat kong pagtatanong. tin?" bungad sa akin ng anak kong si jose na hawak ng kaniyang nanay, si Maria "Nawala na ang aking pagka-babae, ang pinakamamahal ko. Dama kong hannayurakan na ang aking pagkatao, hindi ko dang-handa na nilang kuhanin ang bagong na alam kung ilang lalaki na ang ginawang imbak na mga Antiretrovirals na kakailanparausan ang aking katawan!", sambit niya ganin namin.

Regalo ni Mario TAONG 1983. Disyembre. Kasagsagan ng rehimeng Marcos nang marating ko ang bayang ito. Tanyag dulot ng kababalaghan tungkol sa misteryosong lalaking hatid ay karamdamang walang lunas kung makipagtalik.

Kataka-taka ang mga kaso ng biglaang pagbagsak ng katawan ng mga binata, dahilan upang dapuan ng mga sakit gaya ng pneumonia at tuberculosis. Kung anong dahilan? Hindi ko rin batid. Subalit hindi siya ang sadya ko kundi ang isang matikas na binatang nagpaibig sa aking muli, si Mario. Walang militar sa paligid, hindi gaya sa Maynila. Marahil maging gobyerno ay takot sa misteryo. Dinala ako ng pagod na katawan sa pusod ng kagubatan. Naaninag ko ang mga numerong 0681 sa dingding ng nag-iisang bahay na may liwanag. Nandito na ako. May nakamasid mula sa malayo.

Nakatatakot. Agad akong kumatok. Iniluwa sa akin ang nagliliwanag na hitsura ng sinta kong binata. Ngumiti siya't agad akong hinagkan.

sorpresang tinutukoy niya. Naglapat ang aming mga basang katawan. Sa kama natapos ang mahabang gabi. Ako'y nanaginip, narinig ko kanina sa bayan. Lahat ng kal- dito'y bumulagta sa labas ng pintuan ang alakihan ay nag-iingat sapagkat sa oras isang lalaki. Ako'y napaluha. na makursonadahan sila ng misteryosong nilalang, tiyak na bilang na ang kanilang Nagising ako sa kalabog ng pinto. Bago ko mga araw. Ayon sa isang ale, hirap na hirap pa ito nabuksan, nakita ko ang isang puumihi ang kanyang anak, may mga nana na lang kahon katabi ang karit sa lamesa. Pulis ang ari nito't buong araw na pagod. Sagot ang bumungad sa akin. Tinanong niya ako ng isa pa, nasaksihan niya ang mga butlig ng isang bagay, "Ginoo, bumalik na po ba si at pasang mapupula nito sa mukha. Narin- Mario? Hindi ko pa nasasagot ay nakita ko ig ko ring, unti-unting kinain ang kaniyang ang humahangos na si Mario suot ang kanala-ala't namayat ng husto bago tuluyang yang salakot. Nanindik ako sa kanilang usmamatay. apan. Narinig kong sinabi ni Mario, "Opo, kakambal ko nga ang natagpuang bangkay Ramdam ko ang panaghoy sa kanilang ti- sa labas ng bahay ko kagabi". Ang sagot ng nig. Ang pagkahulog ng karit ni Mario ang pulis, mukha ng bangkay ang itinuro ng ilan nakapagbalik sa akin sa kasalukuyan. Oras sa mga biktima ng misteryosong lalaki sa na raw ng kaniyang pagsasaka, sapagkat bayang ito. mahimbing na ang paligid. Ika-sampu na ng gabi sa orasan. Mag-ingat daw ako. Ikanda- Humingi ng tawad si Mario. Sa loob-loob do ang pinto. May surpresa siya pagbalik. koý matatapos na rin ang takot ng lahat.

Ngunit nang matapos ang kanilang taLumipas ang isang oras. Pinukaw ang aking lastasan, lalong nanindik ang buo kong atensyon ng isang larawan sa dingding. Di- katawan sa naging usapan namin ni Mario. toý katabi ni Mario ang isang lalaki. Hindi Tinanong niya ako kung nagustuhan ko ko siya kilala, ngunit hindi nagkalalayo ang ang regalong iniwan niya sa lamesa. kanilang wangis. BLAG*!7%!pft#. Iniluwa ng pinto si Mario. Pawis na pawis at tila Nakapapagod raw ang pagsasaka at inabot nangangayayat. Malalim ang mga mata siya ng umaga bago makabalik. Binati niya nito't ramdam ko ang kaniyang pagod. Ka- ako ng maligayang pasko. Napagtanto ko. pansin-pansin din ang mapupula niyang Hindi yata panaginip ang nasaksihan ko pasa sa mukha. kagabi.

written by lone_noob

Nagtataka ako kung bakit sa gubat niya napiling manirahan. Hindi ko napigilang mag-usisa. "Sapagkat nilalayuan ako ng mga tao. Sa oras na matagpuan ko na siya, manunumbalik ang lahat bulalas niya sa akin. Sa malungkot niyang tinig ay nanum- Nagtataka man akoý nilabanan ko ang Enero ng sumunod na taon, 1984. Iniulat balik sa aking gunita ang mga kuwentong mainit niyang mga halik na bungad sa akin. sa Pilipinas ang kauna-unahang kaso Sinabayan ko ang init ng kanyang katawan ng HIV/AIDS. ng gabing iyon. Pakiramdam ko ay ito ang

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January 2021 Issue

COMICS

Artwork by TJ Monzon

Artwork by TJ Monzon

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January 2021 Issue

Permission to Reproduce The information in this publication may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from the network, provided that due diligence is exercised in ensuring the accuracy of the information reproduced; that the institution is identified as the source of the information; and that the reproduction is not presented as an official version of the information reproduced, nor as having been made in affiliation with or with the endorsement of the Ripples Community Publication.

Sharing STORIES Empowering Communities 10 10

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