UPHSC HUMSS Campus Civic Lab

14/06/2026

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓: 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

On Saturday, June 13, 2026, the University of the Philippines High School Cebu HUMSS 12 launched "PROJECT PROTECT: HIV Awareness Program in Barangay Mambaling." The event commenced with opening statements from SK Councilor Chrisjeane Encierto, underscoring the significance of the occasion in connection with pride month. The program then focused on the conversation regarding HIV 101 led by Dr. James De la Cruz, who is the current president of AIDvocates and a participant in the Cebu provincial HIV/AIDS council. His presentation emphasized several critical aspects: the distinction between HIV and AIDS, methods of transmission, and the necessity of reducing stigma around HIV-related discussions in the community—culminating in the Q & A session. Following that, the event continued with the presentation of certificates to the speaker and volunteers.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Sir Xavieur Plaza. Ultimately, a significant amount of time was allocated for optional free HIV testing and counseling.

Project Protect wishes to acknowledge the individuals who were essential to the event: AIDvocates, SK Mambaling, MYT Foundation, Atty. Ian Manticajon and anymous sponors. Each one played a part in the event's success.

𝘏𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘺𝘰𝘯, 𝘬𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪 𝘯𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘰𝘵 𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘬𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘺𝘰𝘯. 𝘉𝘢𝘨𝘬𝘶𝘴, 𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘢𝘯, 𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘬𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘯, 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘬 𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘰 𝘴𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘯.

14/06/2026

Thank you, AIDvocates, and to everyone who made Project PROTECT: HIV Awareness in Barangay Mambaling possible! ❤️

Together, we are taking meaningful steps toward breaking the stigma, promoting HIV awareness, and empowering our communities through education and compassion.

Every conversation, every shared fact, and every act of support brings us closer to a healthier and more inclusive society.

13/06/2026

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | HIV AWARENESS ORIENTATION

Project Protect is officially underway at Mambaling GYM, featuring our resource speaker, Dr. James A. de la Cruz, President of AIDvocates and a Regional Trainer for HIV Counseling and Testing under the Department of Health – Central Visayas.

Dr. de la Cruz is sharing their expertise on HIV awareness, community-based service delivery, and the importance of improving access to care and support.

📍 Mambaling GYM
🕒 Until 12:00 PM

There’s still time to join us and be part of this meaningful discussion. See you here!

12/06/2026

!!!!

1 𝘿𝘼𝙔 𝙏𝙊 𝙂𝙊!
The countdown is on! Join us as we come together to learn, raise awareness, and promote understanding about HIV.

Knowledge is power, and awareness is the first step toward prevention and ending stigma. Let's create a community that is informed, supportive, and empowered.

📍 Mambaling GYM
📅 June 13, 2026
🕒 9 am to 12pm

See you at our HIV Awareness Orientation!

12/06/2026

1 𝘿𝘼𝙔 𝙏𝙊 𝙂𝙊!
The countdown is on! Join us as we come together to learn, raise awareness, and promote understanding about HIV.

Knowledge is power, and awareness is the first step toward prevention and ending stigma. Let's create a community that is informed, supportive, and empowered.

📍 Mambaling GYM
📅 June 13, 2026
🕒 9 am to 12pm

See you at our HIV Awareness Orientation!

07/06/2026

𝗛𝗜𝗩 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀: 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀, 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

HIV remains a growing public health concern in the Philippines. Awareness, prevention, and regular testing can help save lives.

Early testing and treatment make a difference. HIV is preventable, testable, and treatable. Together, we can reduce new infections and end stigma. Know your status. Protect your future.

Reference:
World Health Organization. (2025, June 11). UNAIDS, WHO support DOH’s call for urgent action as the Philippines faces the fastest-growing HIV surge in the Asia-Pacific region. World Health Organization.
https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail/11-06-2025-unaids--who-support-doh-s-call-for-urgent-action-as-the-philippines-faces-the-fastest-growing-hiv-surge-in-the-asia-pacific-region

03/06/2026

HIV and AIDS: Understanding the Difference

One of the most common misconceptions about HIV is that it is the same as AIDS. In reality, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, while AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection that can develop when the virus is left untreated (World Health Organization [WHO], 2024).

Having HIV does not mean a person has AIDS. With early diagnosis and consistent antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV can maintain a healthy immune system and may never develop AIDS (National Institutes of Health [NIH], 2025). This is because treatment effectively suppresses the virus, preventing severe damage to the immune system.

According to health experts, AIDS occurs only when HIV has significantly weakened the body’s ability to fight infections and diseases. Therefore, HIV is the cause, while AIDS is the condition that may result from untreated HIV infection (WHO, 2024; HIV.gov, 2026).

Understanding the distinction between HIV and AIDS helps combat misinformation, reduce stigma, and promote evidence-based health education. Awareness remains a powerful tool in encouraging testing, treatment, and support for people living with HIV.

References:

World Health Organization. (2024). HIV and AIDS. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids

HIV.gov. (2026). What are HIV and AIDS? https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids

National Institutes of Health. (2025). HIV and AIDS: The basics. HIVinfo. https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and-aids-basics

30/05/2026

📍HIV attacks the immune system and, if untreated, leads to AIDS. Millions worldwide are living with HIV — many without even knowing it. It spreads through unprotected s*x, shared needles, infected blood, and mother-to-child transmission. Early testing and treatment allow people with HIV to live long, healthy lives.

🩷Prevention is possible through condom use, PrEP, PEP, and regular testing. The more we know, the more lives we save. Know your status. Break the stigma. HIV Awareness Saves Lives.