PrEP Talk

By: Jayson Celeste

You possibly might have heard about Pre-exposure Propahylaxis (PrEP) by now. It definitely has been creating some buzz in certain circles:  in fact it was mentioned in the first episode of season two of the series, “How to Get Away with Murder”. However, if it's your first time to hear of PrEP and what it means, then we invite you to read on.

So what is PrEP?

PrEP has been described as a promising biomedical intervention for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection, and Truvada (combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine) is currently the most common type of medicine used for PreP.

Prescription is started before possible exposure to HIV, hence the name “pre-exposure”. It's pretty much like a contraceptive pill: as contraceptives keep the person taking it from getting pregnant unintentionally, PrEP keeps HIV infections at bay. Also, another important thing to note that is common to both contraceptives and PrEP is that their effectivity only depends on conscientious intake of the pill – that is, it is taken on a daily basis.

PrEP vs. PEP

PrEP is not a vaccine and is different from PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis), where the medication is taken immediately after exposure to HIV and is continued only for 28 days. PrEP requires a commitment to regularly take the drug daily for a sustained period of time. Intermittent intake of the drug reduces its effectiveness.

Why is PrEP important?

While the rest of the world is reporting decreasing number of new infections, the Philippines is one of the few countries to have bucked this trend. In October  2015 alone, the HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP) reported 651 newly diagnosed HIV cases, a significant increase from the same period last year (537 cases), and in 2013 (491).

Condom use has long been the primary HIV prevention tool, although its reliability is not absolute. There is a slight chance of ineffectiveness with using condoms due to a variety of reasons including breakage, slipping off, and leakage. In this light, PrEP is seen as a powerful supplement for HIV prevention.

The introduction of PrEP as a new preventative tool, along with consistent condom use, will hopefully help in tempering these increasing statistics.

Is PrEP Effective?

Several clinical researches on PrEP have shown that consistent use of the pill lowers the risk of HIV infection for up to 92% compared to those who didn’t use the pill. Using PrEP while practicing safe sex (i.e. proper use of condoms, lubricant, and safe sex practices) has been proven by studies to significantly lower the risk of HIV infection. Conversely, taking PrEP is not an excuse to resort to risky behavior. PrEP does not guarantee 100% protection from HIV infections, and offers no protection from other STIs. Again, the efficacy of the drug is intertwined with safer sex practices.

Use of PrEP requires regular tests for HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), which coincides with the schedule for prescription refills and regular check-ups.

Are there any side effects?

PrEP such as Truvada can cause short-term side effects including nausea, tiredness, gastrointestinal symptoms and headache, for one out of ten people using it on their first week of using the drugs. Long-term effects include possible liver and/or kidney problems.

These known and published side effects should be taken with a grain of salt, and in which case, you should consult your physician so that your other health conditions will be carefully taken into consideration. Consultation with the right specialist will enable you to manage your health problems effectively.

Shoud I take PrEP?

While PrEP will surely lower the risk of HIV infection in high-risk sectors of the population, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States lists down the following as most in need of taking PrEP:

• People who are in an ongoing relationship with an HIV-positive partner.
• People who are not in a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who recently tested negative for HIV.
• People who have had unprotected sex with a person of unknown HIV status and who are in high risk of getting the infection (e.g. needle users or bisexual male partners)
• Gay or bisexual males who have had unprotected sex or have been diagnosed with HIV in the past 6 months*
• People who have taken illicit drugs that are administered through needles in the past 6 months* and or have shared needles

One should take note that these criteria are specific to the American setting. We have included this list primarily to give an idea who are the groups who should be taking PrEP. As PrEP is yet to be introduced into the Philippines, the qualifiers (e.g. 6 months window for needle usage and STD diagnosis) and the high priority groups are yet to be determined by the designated national government agency.

While no one is particularly prohibited from taking PrEP, what has been identified above are most-at-risk sectors of the population who will most greatly benefit from regular intake of PrEP insofar as HIV infection risk reduction is concerned.

How long do I have to take PrEP before it becomes effective?

Scientists are yet to issue conclusive results on how long PrEP attains its maximum effectiveness, but studies reveal that if taken everyday, it reaches its peak of protection in 20 days in the blood, in 7 days in rectal tissue, and 20 days in vaginal tissue. However, we would like to reiterate again that these studies are not final figures, and one should not use this time frame as an excuse to resort to risky behavior.

Where can I get PrEP?

PrEP will be available in the Philippines sometime in 2016. Also, intake of PrEP should not be done without proper consultation and counseling with professional medical practitioners. For now, the nearest country where the treatment available is Thailand. In Bangkok, one can head to the Anonymous Clinic of the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre to receive the treatment.

For the meanwhile, while we wait for PrEP to be introduced into the Filipino setting, we invite everyone to understand and practice the Triangle of Self-Care, which will be essential in HIV prevention, with or without PrEP:

T: Timely Testing and Treatment
S: Safe and Satisfying Sex
C: Correct and Consistent Use of Condoms with Water-Based lubricant

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight: Pete Tan, The Free Spirit

With every summit he reaches, mountaineer and LoveYourself volunteer Pete Tan learns a thing or two about life. His biggest lesson so far – “Life is not all clear skies.” 

By Jean Natividad 

There’s something about being close to nature that changes a person. Away from the ruckus of city life, one is able to reflect on the things that matter and be present for each fleeting moment.

There's also a certain calm that being in the hills, or sitting by the river, or watching the waves brings. It is a state not easy to master given today's fast-paced life when everyone seems to be in a rush. What for really – we’re not quite sure.

Pete Tan, LoveYourself volunteer, mountaineer, and explorer of life has benefited from his nature adventures. At first encounter, one can sense the serenity in his disposition and hear the calm in his voice against a backdrop of urban noise. His amiable nature makes it easy for anyone to warm up to him. Perhaps this is why he fits so well in heading LoveYourself's recruitment arm.

Pete joined LoveYourself in 2014 and started leading recruitment early in 2015. These days, he conducts valuable and insightful face-time with new recruits. And through these interactions, Pete gets to the heart of the volunteers' motivations, passions, expectations, and helps them find their special place in the organization.

As one of the first to touch base with new recruits, Pete takes the role of the listener. What his fellow volunteers may not know, however, is that he also has one heck of a story to tell.

Rough roads
As Pete continues to listen to the stories of his fellow volunteers, he goes on to live his own narrative that only gets more and more eventful along the way. His affable and free-spirited character is a product of his experiences – experiences that have not all been that easy. He has, you can say, had his fair share of major struggles in life.

"I didn't finish college, and back then, that was a big failure for me. I wanted to get into Fine Arts, but I failed the entrance examination twice," Pete said.

He went on to take Business Administration, but his lack of passion and interest for the course led him to stop schooling completely. "I decided to try it on my own, to work and make a name for myself. I really wanted to prove something to myself at the time," he added.

At present, Pete has a stable career as a Sales Account Manager. According to him, there should be "no shame in trying." With his sheer tenacity, he overcame the fear and pain of failing not just once but twice.

But as unpredictable and tricky life is, that experience turned out to be nothing compared to the next.

The bigger obstacle
In 2008, Pete was diagnosed with tuberculosis. "I didn't know how I got it. I was smoking and I had tattoos, so I thought maybe it was through infected needles," he shared.

His condition got so bad that he thought the end was near. "I was coughing up blood. I asked my doctor if I still had a chance to live, and he said that if I am determined to survive, I still can," Pete said.

Once again, Pete went through an ordeal by himself. He made the deliberate choice to not inform his family. He shared, "My sister was going to give birth, so I told myself I needed to see my would-be niece/nephew."

This chapter in his life also pushed Pete to invest in experiences. He said, "That's the reason I tried doing new things, like mountaineering. I thought I should do it while I still can. And if I fail, at least I tried."

Conquering mountains
But this time, Pete did not fail. He is in good health – so good that he's able to reach summits, breathe fresh air, and marvel at the wonders of nature, all from hundreds and thousands of feet above everyone else.

"I am now really leaning more towards experiences than material things. I realized I had to change my way of thinking and experience more meaningful things. Being able to look back and say, 'I did this, I did that," gives me a good feeling and makes me a better person," he shared.

It’s not only through climbing mountains that Pete gets a certain rush. He said, “When I volunteer, I get a rush of something, like happiness and joy. I can say that I am braver now to help others and challenge myself.”

To conclude, Pete shared one adventure story that can pretty much sum up his life:

"It was my second major climb sometime 2013/2014. We were going down Mt. Napulauan in Mountain Province when it started to rain hard. We were soaked and cold, the trail had disappeared, and we needed to set up an emergency camp. It was so difficult. I wanted to cry. I was thinking of giving up, but then I thought it was just one experience, and it shouldn't be a reason for me to stop climbing. And then one of the team leaders said something that really resonated with me – ‘Life is not all clear skies.'"

Indeed it's not. But Pete's story and his unbreakable spirit prove the sky always clears up after a storm.

Photos: Pete Tan and Kris Tangco
Photo editing: Mark Long

LoveYourself Volunteer Spotlight is a monthly feature on the cause- and service-oriented members of LoveYourself. We will be chatting with volunteers from all walks of life – all united in one cause. Keep checking every month to meet the different faces of LoveYourself.

Have you been inspired by the courage and commitment of our volunteers? Like us on Facebook and help share our message of positivity and self-worth in your own communities to help fight the spread of HIV. Or inquire about becoming a LoveYourself volunteer.

Previous LoveYourself Volunteer Spotlight: Alexis Sy

###

Read More

Collaborating With Partners and Donors for Ito Ang Tamang Panahon HIV Testing Day

LoveYourself recently held its HIV testing day last November 29 at Victoria Court North EDSA, located just several blocks away from the Balintawak junction. LoveYourself holds HIV testing days biannually, with the previous one held last May 17 at Victoria Court Malate. With the latest HIV testing day's venue, LoveYourself  aims to reach out to clients from Bulacan and the northwest portion of Metropolitan Manila. 

Banking on the popularity of soap operas and the #AlDub phenomenon, LoveYourself embarked on a campaign bolstered by this theme, with the aim of appealing to target populations and to maximize its reach. Dubbed, "Ito ang #TamangPanahon #HIVTestingDay", this HIV testing day campaign sends out the message that getting tested and finding out one's status now has never been more timely. 

Capturing the Right Market

Over a hundred turned out at the LoveYourself HIV testing day last November 29 to find out their status. The prevalence rate was at 10%, which is much higher than the national figure of 0.1%. The prevalence rate for MSM's across the country as mentioned by UNAIDS is 5-8%.  

The HIV testing day's rate of 10% more or less matches the rates obtained from previous HIV testing days, which is a good indicator that LoveYourself campaigns effectively reach out to the right population.

The Philippines is one of a handful of countries experiencing a sharp rise in the rate of HIV infections. To date, 22 Filipinos get infected with HIV on a daily basis; whereas in 2006, only 1 Filipino acquired the infection daily.

Online Campaign, Many Thanks to Social Media Partners

As one of its internal campaigns, LoveYourself volunteers as well as non-members changed their profile photos of themselves doing the #pabebe wave. The hashtag, #TamangPanahon (literally meaning "The Right Time") as well as the #pabebe wave are signature motifs from local TV network GMA-7's all-time-hit series, Kalyeserye, featuring the supercouple Alden Richards and Yaya Dub (AlDub). 

External campaigns included boosts on Facebook of the event as well as message blasts on social media apps that are most commonly used by the gay and bisexual male community, Grindr and Hornet. A blog entry announcing the HIV testing day was also posted on online dating site, PlanetRomeo. 

Grindr offered its blasts free of charge as part of its donation to the said event, while Hornet partnered with LoveYourself in lieu of observing World AIDS Day (December 1). 

LoveYourself public relations team also coordinated with popular LGBT blogs and online magazines in posting entries of the HIV testing day. Outrage Magazine, the Philippines' only LGBT magazine, known for bringing to light LGBT stories and raise awareness on LGBT rights and issues, made a post about the HIV testing day.  

Wazzup Pilipinas and Life Trends Online Magazine, both general audience community sites, also posted an announcement of the HIV testing day. Gay lifestyle blog, Bading na Kolboy and "counter club culture" LGBT group Kosmos had likewise featured the upcoming event.  

The collaboration with strategic blogs ensured a diversified reach, capturing audiences of varying lifestyles and sexual orientations and identities. Meanwhile, blasts and entries on popular M2M sites and social apps were very much effective in reaching out to this particular group. 

Grateful to Donors

Gayglers, a group comprised of LGBT employees of search engine giant Google, gave generous financial assistance to LoveYourself in facilitating #TamangPanahon #HIVTestingDay mass testing. It was the first time that the group provided assistance to LoveYourself. 

Together with financial and medical assistance from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), a DOH-designated HIV treatment hub in the country, resources and provisions, from social media campaigns to logistics and volunteer meals, were properly mobilized. 

LoveYourself is a non-government and non-profit HIV awareness organization comprised of volunteers mainly from the LGBT community. The organization is grateful for its partners and donors who help in providing financial and material impetus for furthering its goals of fighting the HIV epidemic in the Philippines. 

Read More

Feel the Love at the 1st Volunteers Convention and Christmas Party on December 5 at Ramada Hotel

Let's celebrate the beautiful year that was and will be!

You are invited to the first-ever LoveYourself Volunteers Convention and Christmas Party events on December 5, 2016 at the Ramada Manila Central Hotel in Binondo, Manila.

Register now so you can settle in more quickly on event day. For detailed directions, scroll below.

We promise a feel-good time. Free buffet lunch, free shirts for lucky early birds, flowing hugs as we toast the year's accomplishments and a peek at LoveYourself's fearless goals for 2016.

Then at night, we ring in the holidays with a Christmas Party complete with a Miss TLY Cabaret Queen pageant.

Volunteers Convention

Saturday will be a fun gathering filled with appreciation and love.

We will recap the year that was, look at our progress in the fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS, and savor LoveYourself's sweetest achievements -- none of which could have been possible without your contributions.

You will also learn about the ambitious new projects that we are undertaking next year. This includes our groundbreaking PreP initiative and 2016 roadmap.

Come early to get one of the limited free shirts that makes you feel even prouder as a volunteer. Register here.

Christmas Party

After the Volunteers Convention, stay for a showstopping good time. The annual LoveYourself Christmas Party commences, and you wouldn't want to miss the chats and cabaret performances.

Catch up with your friends, flirt with your crushes and watch the gorgeous candidates of Miss TLY Cabaret Queen compete for the crown. 

Be naughty or nice -- you deserve to have a blast after a year of hard work helping thousands know their status through HIV testing and discover their self-worth.

See you there, lovers. Don't forget to register!

How To Get To Ramada Manila Central Hotel Venue

For public commuters
1. From Taft: Take a jeepney going to Divisoria. Alight the jeepney before it turns left on Ongpin Street.

2. From LRT 1 Doroteo Jose Station: Walk towards C.M. Recto Ave., and ride a jeepney going to Divisoria. Once there, walk along Juan Luna Street towards Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz. Right after the plaza is Ongpin Street. Turn left from there, and right towards Q. Paredes Street.

3. From LRT 2 Recto Station: Ride a jeepney going to Divisoria. Once there, walk along Juan Luna Street towards Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz. Right after the plaza is Ongpin Street. Turn left from there, and right towards Q. Paredes Street.

Ramada Hotel is just at the corner of Ongpin Street and Quintin Paredes Street.

For car riders/Uber and Grabcar users
1. Refer to the map above. The hotel is very near Binondo Church.

2. Feel free to use Waze and Google Maps by searching "Ramada Hotel"

Read More

Harana Chapter 8: I Would Runaway With(out) You

Past Harana Chapters:

    * Chapter 1

    * Chapter 2

    * Chapter 3

    * Chapter 4

    * Chapter 5

    * Chapter 6

    * Chapter 7

Harana Chapter 8: I Would Runaway With(out) You

December 11, Friday, ang bigayan ng class card para sa first sem. Thursday night pa lang ay hindi na mapakali si Ash; naiisip n'ya ang mga pinaggagawa niya noong nakaraang sem kung sapat na ba 'yon para makakuha siya ng mataas na marka. S’ympre kasama si Trey sa mga nagunita n'ya.

Habang papalapit si Ash sa Engineering Building ay umikot-ikot at sumunod-sunod ang pusang kanyang kinagigiliwan, si Estrella Monella. "Ming-ming, alam ko na kung bakit ka nandito, alam mong bagsak ako noh?," agad na bati ni Ash.

"Miaoooo," isang ungol lang ang narinig ni Ash mula sa pusa bago ito lumiban sa kanyang pagbati at nagtago sa halamanan. Tamang-tama naman ang pagkakita ni Ceres sa kanya bago pumasok sa building.

"Gandang umaga friend! Are you excited to repeat your first sem? JOKE!" biro ni Ceres.

"Kaya nga ayaw kong tumingin ng grades online eh." sinabi ni Ash habang papunta sila ng college faculty.

"That's super ok. Many felt that on their first time. Virgin ka pa nga! Hahaha!" banat ni Ceres.

Pumasok na si Ash sa faculty room upang hanapin ang kanyang mga professors para sa kanyang performance over the last semester. Nang makuha ni Ash ang kanyang grades ay hindi ito makapaniwala na pumasa pa s'ya sa Calculus at Algebra bilang tuliro pa s'ya sa mga panahong nagfi-finals. Sabi n'ya sa sarili n'ya na hindi na ito mauulit dahil dapat uno ang kanyang makuha next time at hindi 2.5.

Pero napaisip din siyang bumalik na lang ng probinsya para roon ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral.

Paglabas ng faculty ay agad na lumapit si Ash kay Ceres at niyakap ito.

"Muntik na akong bumagsak."

"OH-EM-GEE!!! You passed!!!" tuwang-tuwang bati ni Ceres. "You know from other batches it's either you pass or fail one of the subjects you took along with other subjects," pagpapalubag-loob pa n'ya.

"But these grades are my lowest sa tanang academic life ko," malungkot na sambit ni Ash na kinayag na ang kaibigang umalis.

"You still have to be happy, at least you didn't fail."

"I think I should go back to Naga."

"Seriously?!!!"

"I think I have to find my core again after almost failing. Balik na ako siguro agad bukas, at saka Christmas break din naman."

"Oh I see. If you needed that, then go ahead."

"And...for good na rin siguro," medyo may pag-aatubiling sagot ni Ash.

"WHAT?!!! Agad-agad?!!!" gulat ni Ceres dahil malalayo ang isang taong napalapit na nang husto sa kanilang bakarda, lalo na sa kanya.

~~~

Read More

JOB OPENING : LEAD FACILITATOR and DOCUMENTER

ISEAN-Hivos Program (IHP) – Global Fund Round 10 – Multi-Country HIV and AIDS Grant

Expression of Interest (EOI) Number: TLY-25

Issuance Date: December 1, 2015 (Tuesday)

Deadline of Submission: December 14, 2015 (Monday), 5:00 pm (PH time)

Call for Expression of Interest for a LEAD FACILITATOR for IHP-P2-Y3 National Transgender Development Summit 2015: Translating the Dream into Reality under LoveYourself Inc. for the ISEAN-Hivos Program Phase 2, Year 3 in the Philippines – “Strengthening Community Systems to Reduce the Vulnerability to and the Impact of HIV Infection among MSM and TG in the Islands of Southeast Asia”

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

In 2010, the Islands of Southeast Asia Network on Male and Transgender Sexual Health (ISEAN) and the Humanist Institute for Co-operation with Developing Countries (Hivos) jointly submitted a regional proposal to the Global Fund for AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis (GFATM) Round 10. The programme, entitled ‘Strengthening Community Systems to Reduce Vulnerability to and Impact of HIV infection on MSM and TG in the Islands of Southeast Asia’, was approved by GFATM. This grant has the main goal of reducing (a) the vulnerability and risks of MSM and transgender (TG) to HIV infection and (b) the impact of HIV on their lives in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Timor Leste. It intends to address critical gaps in supporting and scaling up activities that reduce HIV/AIDS among MSM and TGs. Phase 1 of the program was implemented from October 2011 to September 2013. Phase 2, Year 1 of the program was completed last September 2014 and Phase 2, Year 2 started this January 2015, and is anticipated to run until September 2016. The program focuses on these key program components: capacity building, advocacy and networking, and technical and financial assistance.

In the Philippines, LoveYourself Inc. as the sub-sub-recipient (SSR), together with The Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare, Inc. (PNGOC) as the sub-recipient (SR) of the grant, and Cebu Plus Association, Inc. as other sub-sub-recipients (SSR), will be conducting the IHP-P2-Y3 National Transgender Development Summit 2015: Translating the Dream into Reality on December 16-19, 2015 at Casa Bocobo Hotel, Jorge Bocobo St., cor. T.M. Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila, Philippines.

The main goal of the event is to formally organize a Transgender National Network for the recognition and advancement of transgender-specific interventions on health, SOGIE and rights in the Philippines.

LoveYourself Inc. is looking for a capable Lead Facilitator for the IHP-P2-Y3 National Transgender Development Summit who will provide the following to address the Grant’s requirements:

1. Meet with IHP-Philippines program staff and review relevant documented materials and provide inputs and help finalize the program design.
2. Prepare PowerPoint presentations on the input sessions/topics.
3. Facilitate and synthesize the discussions and exercises.
4. Develop and submit a lead facilitator/trainer’s synthesis report after the conduct of the event.

Key Qualifications:

1.   Established previous experience in facilitating trainings, workshops, fora and similar types of activities;

2.   Must have experience in organizational development and policy advocacy;

3.   With excellent written and oral communication skills;

4.   Must have a background in handling agenda setting and planning workshops; and

5.   Must be an expert in parliamentary procedure

6.   Must be based in Metro Manila

FAIR HIRING POLICY

LoveYourself Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and highly encourages applicants from the gay, bisexual, and transgender community who have experience in non-profit and community development work.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE

Interested applicants should submit an expression of interest (EOI) letter together with the applicant’s CV/resume, IHP consultant’s biodata form (refer to link below), and sample documentation works, via e-mail to vinn@loveyourself.ph and cc: yesha@loveyourself.ph    and info@loveyourself.ph on or before December 14, 2015 (Monday), 5:00 pm (PH time), addressed to Mr. Ronnivin G. Pagtakhan Executive Director of LoveYourself Inc. technical review of documents will be done and the most qualified applicant will be contracted by LoveYourself Inc.

You can download the IHP consultant’s biodata form through this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwGcDibhwoE5RzBiTXM1T0tnTFk/view?usp=sharing

======================================================================

ISEAN-Hivos Program (IHP) – Global Fund Round 10 – Multi-Country HIV and AIDS Grant

Expression of Interest (EOI) Number: TLY-26

Issuance Date: December 1, 2015 (Tuesday)

Deadline of Submission: December 14, 2015 (Monday), 5:00 pm (PH time)

Call for Expression of Interest for a DOCUMENTER for IHP-P2-Y3 National Transgender Development Summit 2015: Translating the Dream into Reality under LoveYourself Inc. for the ISEAN-Hivos Program Phase 2, Year 3 in the Philippines – “Strengthening Community Systems to Reduce the Vulnerability to and the Impact of HIV Infection among MSM and TG in the Islands of Southeast Asia”

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

In 2010, the Islands of Southeast Asia Network on Male and Transgender Sexual Health (ISEAN) and the Humanist Institute for Co-operation with Developing Countries (Hivos) jointly submitted a regional proposal to the Global Fund for AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis (GFATM) Round 10. The programme, entitled ‘Strengthening Community Systems to Reduce Vulnerability to and Impact of HIV infection on MSM and TG in the Islands of Southeast Asia’, was approved by GFATM. This grant has the main goal of reducing (a) the vulnerability and risks of MSM and transgender (TG) to HIV infection and (b) the impact of HIV on their lives in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Timor Leste. It intends to address critical gaps in supporting and scaling up activities that reduce HIV/AIDS among MSM and TGs. Phase 1 of the program was implemented from October 2011 to September 2013. Phase 2, Year 1 of the program was completed last September 2014 and Phase 2, Year 2 started this January 2015, and is anticipated to run until September 2016. The program focuses on these key program components: capacity building, advocacy and networking, and technical and financial assistance.

In the Philippines, LoveYourself Inc. as the sub-sub-recipient (SSR), together with The Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare, Inc. (PNGOC) as the sub-recipient (SR) of the grant, and Cebu Plus Association, Inc. as other sub-sub-recipients (SSR), will be conducting IHP-P2-Y3 National Transgender Development Summit 2015: Translating the Dream into Reality on December 16-19, 2015 at Casa Bocobo Hotel, Jorge Bocobo St., cor. T.M. Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila, Philippines.

The main goal of the event is to formally organize a Transgender National Network for the recognition and advancement of transgender-specific interventions on health, SOGIE and rights in the Philippines.

LoveYourself Inc. is looking for a capable Documenter for the IHP-P2-Y3 National Transgender Development Summit who will provide the following to address the Grant’s requirements:

1. Document and summarize highlights of each session for the first day, and the day-ender evaluation conducted by the training team.
2. Present the proceedings of the general assembly and the board meeting in a minute documentation format pursuant to the principles of parliamentary procedure.
3. Prepare and finalize the proceedings/documentation (with executive summary), and consolidate relevant documents (i.e. presentations, outputs, work plans, handouts, etc.) in the proper format as required by the Program.

Key Qualifications:

1.   Established previous experience in documenting trainings, workshops, fora and similar types of activities;

2.   With excellent writing skills and good communication skills;

3.   Preferably college graduate with a degree on English, Communication, Journalism and other related fields.

4.   Familiarity with parliamentary procedure.

5.   Must be based in Metro Manila

FAIR HIRING POLICY

LoveYourself Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and highly encourages applicants from the gay, bisexual, and transgender community who have experience in non-profit and community development work.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE

Interested applicants should submit an expression of interest (EOI) letter together with the applicant’s CV/resume, IHP consultant’s biodata form (refer to link below), and sample documentation works, via e-mail to vinn@loveyourself.ph and cc: jhaydee@loveyourself.ph    and info@loveyourself.ph on or before December 14, 2015 (Monday), 5:00 pm (PH time), addressed to Mr. Ronnivin G. Pagtakhan Executive Director of LoveYourself Inc. technical review of documents will be done and the most qualified applicant will be contracted by LoveYourself Inc.

You can download the IHP consultant’s biodata form through this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwGcDibhwoE5RzBiTXM1T0tnTFk/view?usp=sharing

Read More

LoveYourself Observes World AIDS Day With Community Events

By Kris Tangco

Today is World AIDS Day, and LoveYourself joins the global community in its observance by hosting three events: an empowering pageant, an HIV testing day and an HIV awareness campaign with media trailblazer Rappler.

World AIDS Day is designated on the first day of December, and has been commemorated since 1988 to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by HIV infection, as well as to remember those who have died of the disease.  

The Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS, known more commonly as UNAIDS, reports that at the end of 2014, 36.9 million people globally were living with HIV, with 2 million new infections in the said year. Also from 2000 until 2014, 25.3 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses, while 15.8 million people have access to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy as of June 2015. 

Philippines: AIDS epidemic in-the-making

While the number of infections worldwide has dropped from 3.1 million in 2000 to 2 million in 2014, a 35% decrease, the Philippines has reported a staggering 2000% increase in the number of infections since 2008. The Philippines currently is now one of only a handful of countries classed by UNAIDS as at risk of a full-blown AIDS epidemic. As of October 2015, 651 new cases of HIV infection were recorded in the country, with more than half of these cases coming from the Metropolitan Manila region. A total of 542 cases (83.26 percent) come from MSM's or men-having-sex-with-men. 

LoveYourself fights back with free HIV testing

In the light of the spread of the AIDS epidemic and the rising tide of HIV infections particularly in the LGBT community, LoveYourself, a non-government and non-profit organization, offers free counseling and HIV testing in conjunction with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine or RITM, a DOH-appointed institution for HIV and AIDS research in the country. At the same time, the organization seeks to increase HIV awareness while anchoring on the importance of self-worth. 

The organization is comprised of mostly LGBT volunteers who conduct counseling and awareness campaigns and programs targeting at-risk populations. While the organization mostly appeals to men who have sex with men, its two clinics, LoveYourself Anglo along Shaw and the LoveYourself Hub-RITM Satellite Clinic in Malate, welcome people from all walks of life who wish to know their status.

As part of its awareness campaigns, LoveYourself also aims to educate the public and combat the social stigma associated with the disease. It supports lifestyles of LGBT groups while emphasizing the importance of safe sex practices and of knowing one's status as a springboard for empowering oneself, leading to a better sense of self-worth and self-care. At the same time, awareness programs reach out to the public to promote an environment of acceptance. 

LoveYourself events for World AIDS Day 2015

Regularly LoveYourself holds events spearheading its advocacy.

Last weekend, at the advent of the World AIDS Day, two events took place with HIV awareness and prevention at the helm of its goals. Mr. and Ms. Fratpad beauty pageant was held on Saturday, November 28, with participants mainly coming from local LGBT groups, or "clans". 

On Sunday, November 29, HIV mass testing was held at Victoria Court in Caloocan in an effort to reach out to those who live in northern areas of Metro Manila. 

Collaboration with Rappler for #StayNegatHIVe Campaign's HIV-fy Movement

News website Rappler has partnered with LoveYourself in launching its #StayNegatHIVe campaign aimed at raising awareness of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines. The campaign consists of various activities, including open online discussions on social media platform Twitter, interviews, and links to various articles related to HIV/AIDS, including entries from LoveYourself's page. 

In line with #StayNegatHIVe campaigns, and as one of its indirect but creative thrusts, is the HIV-fy movement. A number of LoveYourself articles and entries will be modified so that all instances of "hi" will be temporarily replaced by "HIV". This temporary replacement will make the repeated occurrences of the three letters "HIV" more prominent throughout the affected entry, as one way to impart awareness of HIV to readers. 

Thank you to Hornet and Grindr

Social app Hornet Gay Social Network has helped LoveYourself by blasting announcements of its events as well as ads promoting its free counseling and testing services as part of its efforts to observe World AIDS Day. Grindr, another LGBT social app, also helped in blasting announcements for the mass testing event held last November 29. With Hornet and Grindr as both in the top five social apps preferred by gay men in the Philippines, LoveYourself is able to maximize its reach effectively. 

Read More