HAPI Leads HIV-Testing for our Bulacan Friends

events, humanism

HAPI Admin
September 18, 2022

By Shawn Evans Quiming
HAPI Scholar

On August 28, 2022, HAPI Pride‘s Sean Ethan Cross and Miss Panama, an HIV-AIDS advocate, talked to members of the HAPI-Bulacan chapter about HIV-AIDS with the goal of educating them about the virus and ending the stigma surrounding it.

This is not the first time HAPI has organized an event discussing HIV-AIDS. Last year, HAPI-Zambales held its inaugural educational session to brighten the spirits of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Zambales. In honor of Pride Month last June, HAPI-Zambales partnered with HAPI Pride to hold another empowerment seminar for 16 patients of San Marcelino District Hospital’s Shelter of Hope in Zambales, assisting them in facing various problems, especially in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. These are just some of the events HAPI held concerning HIV-AIDS.

“The HIV-AIDS talk was added in order to reach everyone, including heterosexual members, who have limited knowledge about HIV.”

“I have wanted to create a series of SOGIE talks for a while now,” Cross, who is a SOGIE Advocate, said in an interview after the event. “My goal is to discuss these topics internally with fellow officers and HAPI chapters [in] the hopes that it will carry over into their communities. The HIV-AIDS talk was added in order to reach everyone, including heterosexual members, who have limited knowledge about HIV.” Cross expressed his pleasure over the outcome of the event, saying it brought listeners one step closer to breaking the stigma around these topics.

“People with HIV and AIDS are nothing to be afraid of. They are people just like every single one of us, and each has a story to tell,” Miss Paris said.

Of the talk’s 24 attendees, 14 (58.33%) got themselves tested by Ms. Paris and Nathan, HIV-AIDS advocates. “It’s vital to get tested for HIV regularly, even if you don’t think you’re at risk,” advised HAPI CFO Mutya Valenzuela. “Schedule your free confidential HIV test. HIV testing is self-care.”

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that targets the immune system of the body. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) can develop if HIV is not treated. There is presently no cure available, although breakthroughs have recently begun. All things considered, the disease may be managed with medical treatment; if done with discipline, it could lead to PLHIV living perfectly normal, healthy lives.

The only way to determine whether you have HIV is to be tested. A number of tests examine your blood or other bodily fluids to determine whether you are infected. Most of these procedures cannot detect HIV immediately because it takes time for your body to produce antibodies or for enough viral load to develop within you. If you have the virus, it is better to know as soon as possible so that you may begin treatment and work towards living a long, complete life. Of course, you can also take precautions to avoid spreading HIV to others, like getting tested regularly or taking PrEP.

This program was powered by the Café Humaniste program of Humanists International, of whom the organizers are grateful. They also express their appreciation to HASH – HIV & AIDS Support House, Inc. and HAPI Pride for the knowledge and awareness they gave to the members of HAPI-Bulacan chapter. A shout-out goes to Angie Driskell, HAPI Junior Ambassador, and her daughters A.J and D.J. for cooking and assisting Sean Cross as well.

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