Globally,
the incidence of new transmissions of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV) has slowed down. In the Philippines, however, official data from
the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) show that there has been a 174 percent increase in HIV cases since 2010.
“There
is an urgent and pressing need to curb the infection. While the rest of
the world has decreasing rates, we are going the opposite way. This is
something that is very alarming,” said Karol Canlas, Brand Manager of
Durex Philippines.
With its rising HIV numbers, the Philippines is of special interest to Durex. The world’s leading condom brand launched its Always Come Prepared
campaign that amplifies the message of protecting one’s self from the
threat of HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).
The
campaign, which uses a quirky visual of a toy soldier using a condom as
a parachute, wants to bring the conversation of the HIV threat into a
more understandable level and easy to digest way for the general public,
particularly the young adults.
The
numbers tell a grim picture of the situation in the country—an
estimated 12,000 new cases reported in 2017, with an estimated 61,000 to
76,000 Filipinos living with HIV.
“Contrary
to the global rate of new HIV cases, which has been decreasing by 18
percent, the Philippines sings a different tune. There is a need to ring
the alarm bells, to bring the conversation of HIV to more Filipinos in a
more understandable way,” said Dr. Louie Ocampo, Country Director of
UNAIDS in the Philippines.
The Always Come Prepared campaign
will also banner the trio of Boys Night Out – Sam YG, Toni Tony, and
Slick Rick as campaign advocates, HIV-testing advocacy group Love
Yourself, and UNAIDS.
Despite
the alarming numbers, condom use is still relatively low in the
Philippines. Condoms are still the only known effective method of
preventing the transmission of HIV and other STDs aside from abstaining.