HIV HUBS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Here is a list of HIV hubs all over the Philippines for your reference. The list was actually taken from other blogger-friends. I deem it important to be posted here as some readers have asked where to go after they have been diagnosed with HIV. 

In government-run HIV hubs, initial laboratory exams are given free to HIV patients, and these tests include hepatitis profile, stool and urine tests, blood chemistry, TB test (sputum exam and X-Ray), among others. A CD4 Count (a test which tracks the progression of your HIV infection) is usually scheduled on another day.

Makati Medical Center and The Medical City are private hospitals which offer medical services to HIV-positive patients. 

Please use this list as reference in case you have friends who are asking where they should go after they have been diagnosed positive with HIV.

It is important to bring your confirmatory HIV result when going to your preferred HIV hub.

LUZON

Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC)

Dr. Manuel C. Factora - Medical Center Chief

Dr. Maria Lorena L. Santos - HIV AIDS Core Team Leader

Gov. Pack Rd. Baguio City

(074) 4423165; 4424080; 5236077; 5234103; 4428342 / (0917) 507-2326

Bicol Regional Training & Teaching Hospital (BRTTH)

Dr. Rogelio G. Rivera - Chief of Hospital

Dr. Anna Lynda Bellen

Legaspi City, Albay

(052) 4830017; 4830886; 4830015 / (0917) 793-5692

Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC)

Dr. Emmanuel F. Acluba - Chief of Hospital

Dr. Teresita Reyes - HIV AIDS Core Team Leader

Cagayan Valley, Tuguegarao City

(078) 3213561 to 64; 3213560; 8053560 Mobile / (0917) 628-0924

Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC)

Dr. Jeisela B. Gaerlan

Medical Specialist II/HACT Leader

(072) 700-3808

Jose B. Lingad Memorial Medical Center

Dr. Venancio S. Banzon - Chief of Hospital

Dr. Edwin Pasumbal - HIV AIDS Core Team Leader 

Brgy. San Dolores, San Fernando, Pampanga

(045) 9613921; 9613380 / (0927) 404-0365

Makati Medical Center (MMC)
No. 2 Amorsolo St., Legazpi Village, Makati City
8888-999

Philippine General Hospital (PGH)

Dr. Rolando Enrique Domingo - Director

Dr. Jodor Lim - HIV AIDS Core Team Leader

Ms. Dominga C. Gomez - SAGIP Unit

Taft Avenue, Manila

5261705; 5673394 / (0939) 625-8730

Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM)
Dr. Remigio M. Olveda - Executive Director
Dr. Rossana A. Ditangco - Head, HIV Research Unit
Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
8072628 to 32; 8072636; 8097599; 8422245; 8072628 loc. 414/208

San Lazaro Hospital (SLH)

Dr. Arturo Cabanban - Medical Center Chief
Dr. Rosario Jessica Tactacan -Abrenica - HIV AIDS Core Team Leader

3099528-29; 7438301 local 6000 / (0917) 535-9380

The Medical City
Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City
988-1000 / 988-7000

VISAYAS

Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital

Dr. Epifania S. Simbul - Chief of Hospital

Dr. Criselda E. Bacolor - HIV AIDS Core Team Leader

Lacson St. Bacolod City

(034) 4351591;4332697; 2080094 / (0922) 860-8876

Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital
(formerly Bohol Provincial Hospital)
Miguel Paras St., Tagbilaran City, Bohol
(038) 411-4868 / 411-4869 / 411-3185

Vicente Sotto, Sr. Memorial Medical Center (VSSMC)
Dr. Gerardo M. Aquino - Chief of Hospital
Dr. Regina Melodia - HIV AIDS Core Team Leader 
B. Rodriguez, Cebu City
(032) 2539882; 2539982; 2537564; 2532592 / (0919) 347-3658

Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC)
Dr. Jose Mari C. Fermin - Chief of Hospital
Dr. Ray Celis - HIV AIDS Core Team Leader
Manduriao St. Iloilo City
(033) 3211797; 3212802; 3211420; 3212841 to 50 / (0918) 940-1217

MINDANAO

Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC)

(formerly Davao Medical Center)

Dr. Leopoldo J. Vega - Chief of Hospital

Dr. Alicia Layug - HIV AIDS Core Team Leader

JP Laurel St. Bajada, Davao City

(227) 2731 / (0920) 424-1721

Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC)

Dr. Romeo A. Ong - Chief of Hospital

Dr. Jejunee Rivera - HIV AIDS Core Team Leader

Zamboanga City

(062) 9910573; 9912934; 9920154 / (0920) 424-1721

Useful Link: SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINICS


References:

manilagayguy.net
stophivnow.blogspot.com

Take The Test is a registered, non-profit organization that was established in April 2010. Their advocacy focuses on HIV education and testing, and they provide services such as free testing and counseling, outreach, and educational resources across various communities, but with particular regards to men who have sex with men.

What:      Free HIV Testing

When:    August 19, 2012 (Sunday), 3pm to 7pm only

Where:   Bernardo Social Hygiene Clinic

        

                 2^nd floor, Bernardo Health Center (beside Ramon Magsaysay High School)

                Cubao, Quezon City

Contact numbers: 0917-5844878 / 0999-8844878 / 0932-8844878

You can also help the group through personal donations which would fund their future projects. Your donations will help the in procuring testing materials, and will fund event costs such as administration fees, transportation, housing, and food.

Please visit Take The Test at:

facebook.com/takethetest

twitter.com/TakeTheTestProj

takethetest.ph

I watched the movie simply because I believe that Eraserheads is one of the most influential musicians in the Philippines. I grew up listening to their songs. I adored them, idolized them, and it even came to point in my life that I studied and played the drums and be part of a rock band. As I saw the trailer of the movie, I also wanted to know who plays who among the characters in the songs of Eheads: Shirley, Toyang, Jay, Aling Nena.

The movie, indeed reminded me of high school. I wasn’t able to attend the several reunions of our batch, simply because I worked then in Manila. Some batch mates are already working abroad, so expectedly, the turn-out of the reunions was unsatisfactory. But hey, there’s always facebook to keep us informed of the whereabouts and activities of each other.

In the movie, one main character said, “Cool naman tayo nung high school, sikat naman tayo. Ano nangyari sa atin ngayon?”

I can’t help but ponder. Not all those who graduated with honors became the richest of our batch. In fact, most of those working abroad now were the quiet ones seated at the back, and those not belonging to the top sections. Having lots of money does not necessary equate to happiness, but then again, in reality, the status of a person is attributed to his wealth, whether you will agree with me or not.

Now that I have HIV, and probably the only one in my batch who has HIV, I oftentimes ask myself, what happened to me? I was studious, I had lots of friends, and modesty aside, I even graduated 9^th from our batch. There are some questions that I know I wouldn’t be able to answer now, but maybe some questions are just more powerful than the answers. And maybe it will take some time to discover the answers to those questions.

Shirley (played by Bangs Garcia) is one of the characters closest to reality. From being referred to as “manang” in the batch, she eventually became a model for sexy magazines. In high school, I’m really glad to see batch mates becoming doctors and lawyers, others became fond of travelling, exploring the world, engaging in meaningful activities such as photography, teaching, and even preaching. It’s amazing to see people who you wouldn’t imagine being the persons they are now.

Did high school define me? I thought it did, as I still am the person who strives to do good in whatever I do.

Did I become as successful as my classmates and teachers said I would? I thought so, until HIV got me. But hey, I was just born recently, March 29, 2012. I still have lots of years ahead of me to become successful once again. And that’s being positive.

No, this is not a movie review. It’s just me and my random thoughts.

Today, August 16, marks the feast day of Saint Roch, the patron saint of plagues, pestilence, and AIDS. He is also known as Saint Roque and Saint Rocco.

Saint Roque is usually depicted in Catholic churches as the one with a walking stick on one hand while his other hand is pointing to a wound in one of his knees. A dog is sitting by his side with bread in its mouth.

Saint Roque was born in 1295 at Montpelier, France to a wealthy and noble government family. He was born with a red birthmark in the shape of the cross on his chest. When his parents died at the age of twenty, he gave away his considerable fortune to the poor, handed over the reigns of the governorship to his uncle, and went on a pilgrimage to Italy.

In Italy, he was very diligent in tending the sick, and is said to have effected many miraculous cures by prayer, the sign of the cross, and the touch of his hand. Due to his constant contact with the plague victims, he became ill himself. Because of his illness, he wandered into the forest to die.

Away from the people, Saint Roque made himself a hut of boughs and leaves. He was miraculously supplied with water by a spring that arose in the place. He also survived hunger when a dog constantly supplied him with bread. The dog would lick his wounds, eventually healing them.

On his return to Montpelier, he was arrested as a spy and was thrown into prison. The orders ironically came from his uncle, who was then the governor of the city, who failed to recognize him. Saint Roque did not reveal himself to avoid worldly glory.

He lived in the prison for five years until his death on August 16, 1327. Only upon his death was the birthmark on his chest was discovered, and the governor grievously saddened by the loss.

Prayer for AIDS to Saint Roque

Dear mendicant Pilgrim,
You once took care
Of sufferers from the plague
And were always ready to help others
By kind service and fervent prayers.
You yourself had no home
And you died in a dungeon.
No wonder countless invalids
Have confidently invoked your help.
Please grant a cure to

(name of sufferer),

and help us all become spiritually healthy.
Amen.

References:

http://365rosaries.blogspot.com/2011/08/august-16-saint-roch.html

http://newapologia.com/prayer-aids-saint-roque/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Roch

WHAT IS HIV?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

• H - Human. The virus infects human beings.
• I - Immunodeficiency. The virus damages a human’s immune system by destroying important cells (CD4+ T cells) that fights diseases and infection.
• V - Virus. A virus can only replicate itself by taking over a cell in the body of its host.

HIV can hide for long periods of time in the cells of the body that it can take months or even years before a person shows classic HIV disease symptoms. For some, it can happen more quickly but for others, it can take even longer. Because of this large amount of time, a person can be HIV positive and yet show no symptoms.

The only way to really know if you are HIV positive is for you to GET TESTED.

It can take up to 3 to 6 months after becoming infected before the body produces enough antibodies to give an accurate HIV test result. It is important to wait at least 3 months from your last possible exposure (unprotected sex) before taking the HIV test to be sure that the result is accurate.

WHAT IS AIDS?

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the last stage of HIV infection when a person’s immune system is severely damaged and has difficulty fighting diseases and certain cancers, and put a person at risk for opportunistic infections (OIs). A person will be diagnosed with AIDS if he has one or more specific OIs, certain cancers, or a very low number of CD4 cells.

Before the development of certain medications, people with HIV could progress to AIDS in just a few years. Currently, people can live much longer, even decades, with HIV before they develop AIDS. This is because of “highly active” combinations of medications that were introduced in the mid-1990s.

References:
www.aids.gov
www.cdc.gov
www.aidsguelph.org

Aristotle Pollisco a.k.a. Gloc-9 has just released his latest studio album, “MKNM: Mga Kwento ng Makata” under Universal Records. The first single from his album, “Sirena,” has been heavily lauded by the LGBT community as it narrates the struggles of a gay man. He was discriminated not only by his community, but unfortunately, by his own family particularly his father. Later in life, in a sudden turn of events, that gay man still showed love towards his father as he took care of him in his old age, while his other siblings already left their home and be with their respective families.

The song also features Ebe Dancel. And don’t blink your eyes. Some prominent members of the LGBT community are featured in the music video: Wanggo Gallaga, Dante Remoto, and Boy Abunda, among others.

fdsf

Sirena

Sirena

Gloc-9 feat. Ebe Dancel

cggdg

(Chorus: Ebe Dancel)

Ako’y isang sirena
Kahit anong sabihin nila ako ay ubod ng ganda
Ako’y isang sirena
Kahit anong gawin nila bandera ko’y di tutumba
Drum na may tubig ang sinisisid
Naglalakihang mga braso sa akin dumidikdik
Drum na may tubig ang sinisisid
Sa patagalan ng paghinga, sa’kin kayo ay bibilib

(1st Verse: Gloc-9)
Simula pa no’ng bata pa ako,
Halata mo na kapag naglalaro
Kaya para lahat ay nalilito,
Magaling sa Chinese garter at piko
Mga labi ko’y pulang pulang pula,
Sa bubble gum na sinaba
Palakad lakad sa harapan ng salamin,
Sinasabi sa sarili “ano’ng panama nila”
Habang kumekembot ang bewang,
Mga hikaw na gumegewang
Gamit ang pulbos na binili kay aling bebang
Upang matakpan ang mga pasa sa mukha
Na galing sa aking ama
Na tila di natutuwa sa tuwing ako’y nasisilayan
Laging nalalatayan,
Sa paglipas ng panahon ay di ko namamalayan
Na imbes na tumigas ay tila lalong lumalambot
Ang puso kong mapagmahal
Parang pikit matang bulol.

(Chorus: Ebe Dancel)
Ako’y isang sirena
Kahit anong sabihin nila ako ay ubod ng ganda
Ako’y isang sirena
Kahit anong gawin nila bandera ko’y di tutumba
Drum na may tubig ang sinisisid
Naglalakihang mga braso sa akin dumidikdik
Drum na may tubig ang sinisisid
Sa patagalan ng paghinga, sa’kin kayo ay bibilib

(2nd Verse: Gloc-9)
Hanggang sa naging binata na ako
Teka muna mali, dalaga na pala ‘to
Pero bakit parang lahat ay nalilito pa rin
Ano bang mga problema nyo
Dahil ba ang mga kilos ko’y iba,
Sa dapat makita ng inyong mata
Sa tuwing nanonood ng liga laging natutulala
Kahit di pumasok ang bola ako’y tuwang tuwa
Kahit binaliw na sa tapang, kasi ganun na lamang
Akong paluin ng tubo kahit kinakalawang
“tama nanaman itay, di napo ako pasaway
Di ko na po isusuot ang lumang saya ni inay
Kapag ako’y naiiyak ay sumusugod sa ambon
Iniisip ko na lamang na baka ako’y ampon
Kasi araw araw na lamang ay walang humpay na banat
At inaaabot ang ganda ko papailalim ng dagat

(Chorus: Ebe Dancel)
Ako’y isang sirena
Kahit anong sabihin nila ako ay ubod ng ganda
Ako’y isang sirena
Kahit anong gawin nila bandera ko’y di tutumba
Drum na may tubig ang sinisisid
Naglalakihang mga braso sa akin dumidikdik
Drum na may tubig ang sinisisid
Sa patagalan ng paghinga, sa’kin kayo ay bibilib

(Last Verse: Gloc-9)
Lumipas ang mga taon na nagsipag-asawa
Aking mga kapatid, lahat sila’y sumama
Nagpakalayo layo ni hindi makabisita
Kakain na po itay, nakahanda na’ng lamesita
Akay akay sa paglakad paisa isang hakbang
Ngayo’y buto’t balat ang dati matipunong katawan
Ngayon sa iyong kaarawan, susubukan kong palitan
Ang lungkot na nadarama, wag napo nating balikan
Kahit medyo naiinis hindi dahil sa nagka-cancer
Kasi dahil ang tagapag-alaga mo’y nakaduster
Isang gabi, akoy iyong tinawag, lumapit
Ako sayong tabi ikay tumangan, kumapit
Ka sa aking kamay kahit hirap magsalita
Anak, patawag sana sa lahat ng aking nagawa
Di sinusukat ang tapang at ang bigote sa mukha
Dahil kung minsan mas lalake pa sa lalake ang bakla

(Chorus: Ebe Dancel)
Drum na may tubig ang sinisisid
Naglalakihang mga braso, sa’kin dumidikdik
Drum na may tubig ang sinisisid
Sa patagalan ng paghinga sakin kayo ay bibilib

Ako’y isang sirena
Kahit anong gawin nila
Bandera koy di tutumba…

After discovering my HIV status, I quitted everything. I abandoned my life in Manila. I had a blossoming career in the health care field, but because of the cancellation of my work abroad, I also cancelled my work in Manila altogether.

I can’t say it was a bad decision, though at times I keep telling myself that I shouldn’t have been so decisive when emotions were still high. But what can I do? I panicked, and I had no one to turn to, no one to answer my questions. Thank God for Google, the presence of social networking sites made me sane. So to those who own blogs and write about their personal journeys, just continue writing because at most times, you’ve helped troubled souls without you even realizing it.

It has been four months now since i left Manila. So I made a list of personal things I missed most about it:

top: S&R food-trip: cheese-overload Calzone; my new donut discovery, Chewy Junior; set dish from John & Yoko

middle: Basix at Dusit Thani; Unlimited Sushi at Yakimix; Basix dessert selection

bottom: Yakimix dishes; Basix dessert selection; 7 Corners at Crowne Palaza

• Participating in Running Events.

I still remember the date when I started running, June 12, 2010. I started with 5km. Others find running boring. I, on the other hand, find it practical. Living near Bonifacio Global City enabled me to join running events. And my addiction to running increased as I joined races in Roxas Boulevard, Rizal, and Tagaytay. There was even a time that I joined 21km races for three consecutive weekends. Hahaha! My farthest distance is 32km.

Since I stopped running for several months after diagnosis, I know it will take time before I start to pick up the right pace for me. So while I am still here in the province, I make sure that I do a lot of exercises so that when I return to Manila, hindi na mabilis hingalin. I do mostly cardio exercises in the gym right now, and I’m surprised that gym goers start young nowadays. Effect talaga ng media. But well, para din naman sa health, so why not. :-)

top: post-Tagaytay trail run; who wouldn't want to run along with these hunks?; La Salle Run

bottom: Men's Health obstacle Run (ako sa gitna); Adidas run with some celebrities; challenges of trail running

• Out of Town Trips.

Baguio has got to be my favorite place in the Philippines, and being in Manila made it easy for me to access Baguio. The deepest and the most comfortable sleep I had were spent in Baguio. Hehehe! The place is superb, and the food, heaven! And the most mababait taxi drivers can be found in Baguio. :-)

I skipped swimming back in college, but that did not hinder me from snorkeling in Panglao and in Coron (with life vest, of course!). I miss being in the water (with my workmates and mamang bangkero beside me, hirap na malunod. Hehehe!).

With the promo air fares happening every now and then, being in Manila would have given me the chance to go to different provinces. But sadly, I feel so isolated here in the province. But I’m hoping that once I get back, I could travel na with a future partner (fingers crossed, LOL!).

I miss out-of-town trips!!!

• Food.

When I joined the Milo group and the Adidas group, I was told by some members that a runner’s best diet is the “see-food” diet. Whatever food you see, you can actually eat. You will burn it off anyway, especially when you engage in long distance running.

Yakimix is spelled L-O-V-E. Well, there are a lot of other Japanese restaurants in the metro, but Yakimix is still my favorite. One big factor is its accessibility. Hehehe! Nasa mall kse, so you can watch a movie after then coffee, then boy-watching. LOL! Just kidding!

Mercato Centrale. Main reason is its accessibility (again! Hahaha!). And for the several years of Banchetto’s existence, I haven’t been to one. Well, I wish someone would take me there, anyway. Hehehe! *wink*

top: Xian Tian Di at Crowne Plaza; Gellatisimo in BHS; Xian Tian Di

bottom: Xian Tian Di: Yakimix: cakes from Sugar House and Secret Recipe

• Friends.

Definitely, my friends were the main reason why I stayed for more than three years in my former workplace. And the friends that I am referring to here are my former workmates. No matter how “toxic” the duty can be, their presence just makes the weight of the situation much lighter. And at most times, it’s automatic for us to help each other in work, hindi na kailangan pa sabihin. Isa-isa na silang nagsi-alisan ng bansa actually, and I’m happy for them. No one knows about my status, although one suspects, pero I just jokingly tell them na pasalubungan na lang nila ako ng Starbucks tumbler with the print of the country they are in. :-p

top: Run BGC medals; that's me bidding goodbye to the Kalayaan Bridge; QCIM run with Boy Runner

middle: fun Unilab event; spot me in the middle pic; cute dog in the Rexona Run

bottom: still from Unilab; finisher's shirt and medal; still from the Unilab run

• "Alone-time"

After living alone for more than three years, my ears have already adjusted to the peace and quiet of my own place. Now that I’m back in the province, hindi ako sanay sa ingay ng mga kapamilya ko (maarte lang talaga ako. LOL!). But seriously, I remember back then that I would even put the TV off so that I could focus on my online writing work.

Yun lang, I have to pay my rent, my electricity, water, and internet bills. And there’s laundry pa, and transportation. How can a nurse in the Philippines pay all those? Tamang pagtitipid, of course. Hehehe! Whereas at home, libre lahat. Pati stress, libre din. LOL!

I have made a long entry already, but I know there are a lot of other things I miss about Manila. I’ll take a visit there next month, and the several months to come. Most probably, I’ll transfer early next year. My plan, for now, is to spend Christmas and New Year here with family. For three years, I celebrated the holidays at work, and at times with friends and significant others. For this year, family comes first. :-)

image taken from: http://theloveyourselfproject.blogspot.com

The Love Yourself Project is an advocacy group which aims to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among high risk groups such as the LGBT-MSM and the youth through awareness, counseling, and education.

They recently opened “The Love Yourself Hub” in 1850 Leon Guinto Street in Malate, Manila, which serves as a resource center for high risk groups to further increase their level of education and awareness with regards to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.

With the support of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), one of the group’s main programs is to conduct HIV Counseling and Testing.

This July 22, Sunday, they will be conducting free testing for HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B at Victoria Court, Malate.

image taken from: http://theloveyourselfproject.blogspot.com

Personal Note:

I have attended a couple of street parties in Malate in the last two years, and I have seen booths offering free HIV testing, but I never bothered to get myself tested. One reason is that there is fear that my privacy might be compromised. Second reason, there’s that fear that if the result will turn out positive, that will just ruin my mood for the night, and my outlook in life starting the day after. Third reason, I had that false confidence that I am negative for HIV.

What I realized now is that if only I approached the booth, I would have received key information regarding HIV/AIDS since the trained personnel in those booths also offer counseling services before and after the test.

The essence of this free testing is that if the result turns out negative, then one can take steps to ensure to remain negative. However, if the result turns out positive, then one can receive the proper guidance and treatment.

I salute the efforts of support groups that they reach as far as Puerto Galera to offer free HIV testing. The target groups are there, especially during the Holy Week, and the effort to bring their programs there is highly commendable.

What I do hope right now is that the topic of HIV/AIDS should be openly talked about within groups; group of friends, among employees, and even among students. The purpose is not necessarily to bring fear to the general population, but to spread awareness. There are a lot of common misconceptions regarding the spread of HIV, and these should be corrected. Further education among groups is really necessary.

So to the members of high risk groups, who, by chance, get to read my blog, please do yourselves a favor and have yourselves tested.

The life that you will save is yours, so please take the test.

image taken from: http://theloveyourselfproject.blogspot.com