According to the Philippine National AIDS Council:
8 new cases are reported everyday
8 out 10 are tested positive for HIV
An estimated 8,700 people (and counting!!) are living with HIV
936 AIDS cases since the outbreak
In the Philippines, 15-24 year-olds are most susceptible to the risks of HIV
We now have a 56% increase since 2010
in 3 years 30,000 Filipinos will be living with HIV
These numbers are crazy. This IS a serious matter, guys! And Gerard wants to challenge these numbers.
There's nothing quite like the feeling of being in a room with people who are out to change the world.
Gerard, Nimu, Kriska, JM and her girlfriend Lee were able to participate in The Project Headshot Clinic, particularly their run for the The Red Whistle. The Red Whistle is a great initiative that concentrates on issues surrounding the increasing cases of HIV and AIDS in the Philippines. According to their site, lack of awareness about the risks brought on by AIDS and HIV is one of the main drivers of the increase in cases. As a response to this, The Red Whistle was formed, and came up with three objectives:
1. raise awareness on the situation to encourage community action;
2. deliver safer sex messages designed to reach communities affected by the epidemic
3. help facilitate access or referral to HIV services, including HIV testing, treatment, and support services.
The idea of the Project Headshot Clinic is using peoples' photos as promotional materials for initiatives such as The Red Whistle. They were able to sign up as participants for the project, and had their headshot taken by one of the most prominent photographers in the country today, Niccolo Cosme. Gerard loves his mohawk hair, by the way.
Nimu, Kriska, JM, and Lee's headshots
It was a very wonderful experience in so many levels. Apart from it being really inexplicably fun, Gerard, in one way or another, was able to take part in an effort to make the country a better place to be in. Such a win-win! :)
It's time to blow the whistle!
Knowledge is the best prevention. Check out these sites:
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