Year 2019, the Philippine government declared a State of National emergency for HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy among country’s younger generation. And the numbers are not backing down. In fact, it’s a slow, steady and continuous increase in the number of cases that is raising concern and alarm among those who are aware.
HIV: NOT BACKING DOWN
The latest report from the HIV/AIDS Arts Registry of the Philippines (HARP) shows that there are 1,228 newly confirmed HIV-positive cases that have been added to the country’s numbers from the month of August 2019 alone. This brings the total reported cases to 70,740 from the time that they started recording HIV cases from 1984.
What is alarming is that out of the total number of cases reported, 424 individuals (or roughly 35%) are from the 15-24 age group. Most of these people are young, still in school, in their teens or just about to have graduated from their education. This rounds up a total of 2,704 afflicted by this disease from January-August of 2019. A significant number considering that the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) projected that in a population of 100M people, this age group comprises of around 20% of the demographic.
It appears that HIV is not backing down but is instead doing a slow but steady creep in the lives of the young people of this generation.
TEENAGE PREGNANCY: CATCHING UP
The Save the Children’s Global Childhood Report for 2019 states teenage pregnancy affects 5.99% of Filipino girls. This is the 2nd highest rate of incidence within Southeast Asia.
Locally, the Commission on Population (POPCOM) is corroborating this fact as they report that 500 young teenage mothers give birth every single day across the country. Additionally, 30-50 pregnancies within the country are from 10-year-old children giving birth to their own children.
The country’s economy will also suffer a direct hit because of this development. Commission on Population and Development Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III said that teenage pregnancy will cost the country P33B in economic losses. Needless to say, adolescent pregnancy is catching up as far as sexual issues are concerned.
THEY ARE GETTING YOUNGER
As these two issues attract a lot of needed attention, another question is brewing that begs to be asked. “Why does it appear like a lot of the younger generation are very open to engaging in sexual relations despite grave consequences?”
A regional study conducted by the Commission on Population (POPCOM) in 2017 shows that many Filipino Millennials engage in sex at an early age. In fact, it was during this generation that the word “complicated” began to be used as a description of the status of one’s relationship.
Though they found out that there are a variety of reasons that contributed to this phenomenon, these are the most prominent factors that facilitates early sexual engagement among the youth: access to the Internet, access to social media and access to new information technologies. This study therefore suggests that there is direct co-relation between early access to technology and early engagement in sexual activities.
THE DIGITAL AGE
This is a cause for concern as we currently live in the Digital Age. It started in the 1970’s as the first personal computers were created and bought home by those who can afford them. It then introduced an era where the ability to transfer and receive information is quick and free. The landscape in itself is constantly changing, evolving and innovating.
At present, this technology is very mobile in the form of smartphones, tablets and the like with WiFi and data connection available almost everywhere. Easy access to every bit of information is something that is inevitably going to happen to those who get hold of this technology, including the Philippines.
Currently, we stand as the social media capital of the world. We also have the largest number of Internet users despite the fact that we don’t have the fastest connection. Along with this, the world has opened its doors for the Filipinos and its younger generation to embrace various cultures, mindsets, ideologies, philosophies and values that they can apply generously in their lives, including perspectives regarding love and sex. Unfortunately, this information doesn’t automatically come with a built-in filter. And so, information becomes a free-for-all.
There needs to be a resounding voice that needs to cry out and speak truth regarding these matters. Or else, it will continue to bring dire consequences not only to the youth but also to the country as a whole. Corrupting standards and values resulting to more cases of HIV and teenage pregnancy. The government has sounded the alarm. But who will respond to it?
THE MOVEMENT WITH “PUSO”
The PUSO Movement was launched last August 20, 2019 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum during the PUSO Conference and was attended by around 14,000. The hope is that this movement will create a ripple effect that will create a long-lasting, positive impact by reaching out and touching the lives of the present generation and the next.
The movement is anchored to a burden they call the “5 Faces of the Generation” which summarizes the 5 major issues faced by the young people of the Philippines today. This is based from a study their own team conducted prior to the launch. Included in this study are “Sexual Issues” which encompasses both HIV and Teenage Pregnancy and other issues of similar origin like online sexual exploitation of children, sexual abuse, abortion, etc.
Their response to the alarm: conduct events and other initiatives geared not only towards addressing these issues but also spreading hope, healing and help through compassion, love and demonstration of the power of God’s Word. It might be a different approach. But it might just be the difference the country is looking for after all.
BRINGING BACK LOVE AT ITS PUREST
One of their initiatives is “The Love and Purity Fest”. It is a nationwide event aimed to address and enlighten those who will attend about the beauty of love, sex, marriage, waiting and abstinence. This group is taking a risk talking about topics that are considered as taboo by most people but are, as the movement stands, needed to be discussed.
During the event, participants will discover the true meaning of love and marriage, discuss about sex in light of God’s Word, receive healing and hope from heartbreaks, trauma, abuse and guilt, and navigate the road to a pure life and love.
The event just finished its Mindanao leg last February 1 and is about to conduct their Visayas Fest at the IEC Convention Center this February 15. For Luzon and Metro Manila, they will host it on February 25, 2020 at the SMX Convention Center inside the SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.
Jim Anderson, author of Unmasked: Exposing the Cultural Sexual Assault, will be one of the featured speakers for the event. He will also speak in a closed-door fellowship on February 26, 2020 at 4F V-Mall, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan City, with church and government leaders from 1:00pm-5:00pm; and with fathers, men and young men from 7:00pm-9:00pm.
The country needs more movements and initiatives like this that spread help, healing and hope to this generation and the next. Invite everyone who you believe will benefit from an event such as this.
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PUSO is a movement that aims to reach out and touch this generation and the next, particularly the Millenials, Genzers and Alpha, all born in the Digital Age.
For tickets and reservations for The Love and Purity Fest, visit www.puso.ph or contact Ms. Kristine Gabutan at 0955 4821159 and to find out more about PUSO Movement’s initiatives, or follow @pusoofficial on social media.