Aired (August 30, 2024): Sa dokyumentaryong #KaraDocs, nakilala ni Kara David ang 17-anyos na si “Mikael.” Sa unang tingin ay mukhang tipikal na binatilyo si “Mikael” pero may mabigat pala siyang pinagdaraanan — ang pagiging HIV positive. Sundan ang buong kuwento niya sa video na ito.
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00:00The Philippines has long been fighting against the spread of HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
00:06Despite this, the country is still ahead in the number of HIV infections in the Western Pacific region.
00:15According to experts, more and more young people are affected by this disease.
00:19How accessible is HIV testing in the country?
00:22That's the story of Tatak Public Affairs, a documentary by Cara David and Cara Dox.
00:30I met 18-year-old Mikael. He doesn't have a real name.
00:39At first glance, he looks like a typical kid, but he's been through a lot.
00:45When did you find out that you are HIV positive?
00:49I was 17 years old.
00:51How did you find out?
00:52At that time, I was sick. I was diagnosed with HIV when I was one month old.
00:58That's when I decided to get tested.
01:00Mikael was early in his recovery from his illness.
01:03There were times when financial support was not enough to pay for his tuition.
01:10I was introduced to a hooking app.
01:13After he got tested, in March 2023, the results showed that he was HIV positive.
01:22Mikael is one of more than 100,000 Filipinos currently fighting HIV.
01:29This virus attacks and weakens the immune system of people.
01:34If not treated early, it can lead to complications such as AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
01:42It is usually caused by a lack of protection, such as a condom.
01:47It can also be obtained by borrowing or using your own injection.
01:53To find out if you are HIV positive, there is a testing center in the country that provides free HIV tests.
02:01In the past decade, the number of HIV infections in the Philippines has increased.
02:08We are leading in the highest number of HIV infections in the Asia-Pacific region.
02:14Social media is one of them.
02:16I think it's easier for the young population, maybe our population, to connect with each other.
02:22For a long time, the use of condoms is the only way we know to protect against infection.
02:29But aside from this, one of the things that is being promoted now is the medicine that provides protection
02:35so that you will not be infected with HIV.
02:38This is called pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP.
02:42For those who already have HIV, this is not the end of the world.
02:48There is a medicine to stop the spread of the virus in our body.
02:53This is called Anti-Retroviral Therapy or ART.
02:58The patient must drink it every day to detect that he is HIV positive.
03:05According to the Department of Health, the number of cases of HIV-positive minors is increasing.
03:12According to the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act,
03:15HIV testing is the only thing that can be done by 15 to 17-year-olds without the consent of their parents.
03:24It is not clear in the law that minors have access to other services related to HIV primary care
03:32such as ART, PrEP, and even buying or getting a free condom.
03:37According to the Philippine National AIDS Council or PNAC,
03:41they are currently considering amending the law on HIV and AIDS.
03:47This should be a reminder that we should be more open-minded and understanding of the experiences of others
03:56because they need support and not judgment.
04:02For more information visit www.fema.gov