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To go where no man has gone before...

Traveling has become one of the increasing hobbies of every Filipino nowadays, thanks to cheaper airfare and greater accessibility. Of course, one seeks the adventure, exploring new horizons, cultures, environment and experiencing fun at the same time.

In traveling, there are risks. Read the signs before venturing out into the unknown

For most young viajeros and viajeras, fun and adventure is always entailed with every new destination they get through. And for some people, “fun and adventure” may also mean leisurely “making love to their partners,” or straightly speaking—“have sexual intercourse with someone.” That’s thrill and adrenaline rush rolled into one. Of course, it might get involved with having to “play all the night with that ‘unknown’ someone.” Making love in Boracay or Puerto Galera or anywhere with an unknown partner may just bring you somewhere in the dark, rolling in the deep, and probably would end up as a nightmare instead.

Of course, travelling is also entailed with some risks. In case of emergencies like accidents or getting a disease in a far-away land, you might need some blood coming from blood banks, in order to save your life. However be weary, this might just add up to your agony if not careful.

Make your family safe against the wrath of HIV by being aware of its causes and how to prevent the spread of the virus. Make the future of our kids safer.

The Philippines’ number of HIV infections has grown more than 25% according to a UNAIDS report, mostly within the 20-29 year old range as of 2010. Most of the risk came from unprotected sexual intercourse and still there might be a lot of undocumented cases due to lack of education regarding this disease and even the social stigma that it is associated with. Before we know it, “making love” with your beloved partner may not be such a good idea after all or even travelling isn’t safe as it is–even to those who are innocent. Ignorance has never been this dreadful.

It has to stop! Blow the Red Whistle!

Facing an alarming situation of the spreading epidemic, The Red Whistle campaign aims to educate the people regarding HIV through raising awareness and encouraging communities to act, deliver the message of safe sex, and facilitating ease of access to HIV testing, treatment and support services. The Red Whistle campaign started recently last 18 August 2011 at the BlackBird restaurant in Kamagong Street in Makati City, spearheaded by photographer Niccolo Cosme’s advocacy, together with StarWorld, Take the Test, the bloggers, and other representatives that support the cause.

For us viajeros and viajeras, if we like to enjoy our travels, like as what people say, “Stay safe always!” Take precautions rather than risking it. If making love to a partner or to someone, always use latex (condom yan!); Avoid prohibited drugs and even sharing syringes; And in case that you need blood due to medical reasons, have the donated blood double checked before it can be transfused to your body. Also, it is better to have you or your partner be tested. It is better safe than sorry, right? Finally, educate. Share your knowledge about this, even if you are an HIV negative. These simple ways may just stop the rising epidemic and thus the fun and enjoyment never stops. Simple steps that make the Philippines safer for us travelers to enjoy with.

Read the signs and always be informed!

Let’s travel around the country, let’s travel around the world! Enjoy life and have an adventure, but always make sure to be safe always, whether on traveling or enjoying life itself. This way, we make our country safe not only for our young generation, but for our families, our communities and the whole society as well. Blow the whistle, blow harder! Let’s make the Philippines safer and healthier.

If you would like to be tested, you may call Take the Test Online at 0917-5844878 and 09233780800 or visit them at http://www.facebook.com/takethetest. Information about your test would remain confidential.

For more information about Red Whistle, simply visit its Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheRedWhistle

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In a bid of raising awareness about HIV and AIDS infection in our country, Project Headshot Clinic together with Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), launched “Move” on December 9, 2009 at Greenbelt 5 Fashion Walk in Makati City. Niccolo Cosme, one of the finest photographers in the Philippines, was the one who took the headshots of famous and influential such as Dr. Eric Tayag of DOH, Congresswoman Riza Hontiveros, Wanggo Gallaga, Tim Yap, Kristine Hermosa, Carlos Celdran and so much more.  Joining them also are the ordinary Filipinos who took their stand in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS issue in our country.

In a recent figures released by the Department of Health, there is an average of 64 new cases every month as of 2009, with an average of TWO new cases a day as compared to just ONE new case every three days almost a decade ago!

The alarming rate has caused several cause-oriented groups to move into information dissemination about HIV and the effects to human beings. Most of the Filipinos are neither aware nor they do know it but shun away from talking about it. Hence, it builds a “culture of ignorance” in which it can create myths and false information to the public, thus increasing the risks of more infection amongst the Filipinos. It also creates a social stigma to those who are positive in this syndrome, which made them the “modern day lepers.”

“Move” is just one way in pushing towards access to right information and creating awareness for the Filipino youth on what is HIV/AIDS is and how does it affect our body, mind and even our society. As one of the 7 Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations by 2015, we as Filipinos should start curbing the number or those who are infected by promoting social hygiene, right information of the disease, and perhaps sex education and no-to-drugs programme. With the rise of people being infected by the HIV in the Philippines, don’t we think it is the right time to “move” before everything is too late?

For more information, log on to their website at HeadshotClinic.com and visit UNAIDS.org / UNAIDS blog.