Durex strengthens PPE campaign to help address STI and HIV incidence in the Philippines

With over a year in lockdown, we find ourselves still in the midst of the pandemic, cautious yet with a glint of optimism with COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. Raising awareness of safe sex and sexually-transmitted diseases has become more relevant as the Philippines currently records 29 cases per day as of January 2021 according to the Department of Health (DOH). The agency has tagged HIV as a continuing public threat, and has called for the continued cooperation and collaboration of all local communities, civil society organizations, key stakeholders, and the government in jointly addressing this pressing matter.

As part of its mission to protect Filipinos from the threats of sexually-transmitted diseases such as HIV and AIDS, Durex continues to promote the importance of using proper protection during sexual intercourse through education and awareness programs. Durex carries on with its own impactful initiatives under its Protection and Preparedness Education (PPE) campaign.

Durex advances Protection and Preparedness Education Campaign by donating PPEs to HIV-advocate groups

Durex, a brand that advocates HIV Awareness and health safety, donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to local HIV-advocate groups as part of their Protection and Preparedness Education Campaign, just in time for World AIDS Day.

A total of 1000 face masks, 1000 face shields, and 7000 boxes of Durex Condoms were each turned over to LoveYourself, The Red Whistle, and the PLHIV Response Center to help boost their efforts to combat HIV/AIDS amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and promote health safety.

The brand has been consistent in its efforts to spread HIV Awareness ever since the lockdown started here in the country. Launching the Protection and Preparedness Education campaign last September, Durex aims to further raise awareness on the importance of using PPEs like face masks and condoms to curb the COVID-19 pandemic and HIV epidemic in the country. They aim to remind Filipinos that alongside COVID-19, HIV is still a growing health crisis and that it deserves everyone’s utmost attention.

DJs Slick Rick, Tony Toni, and Sam YG talk sex among young adults

In a series of university tours, Boys Night Out’s Sam YG,
Tony Toni and Slick Rick discuss with young adults the dangers
 of being infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

They are known for casually making green jokes and getting away with the most exciting (and sometimes erotic) discussions “on air”, to the delight of their amused fans and listeners, especially those caught in early evening traffic or stuck in offices with OT work.

The trio of radio disc jockeys Slick Rick (Eric Virata), Tony Toni (Tony Bueno) and Sam YG (Sam Gogna) have made Magic 89.9’s Boys Night Out (BNO) a legendary radio talk show in the early evening time slot, especially with their crazy antics, uniquely challenging games with celebrity guests, and the most candid opinions about love, sex and anything in between.

HIV awareness must be made more understandable for young adults

Durex Philippines recently launched its Always Come Prepared
 campaign that aims create HIV awareness and help prevent it.
 Key organizations--UNAIDS, Love Yourself, and advocates
 from the medical field, and Boys Night Out (BNO), joined hands 
with Durex on its mission to curb HIV in the country. 
(L-R) BNO's Slick Rick, Reckitt Benckiser Read for regulatory 
Atty. Ricky Salvador, Sex Therapist Dr. Rica Cruz, 
UNAIDS Country Director for the Philippines Dr. Louie Ocampo, 
Reckitt Benckiser General Manager Chris Ritchie, Infectious Diseases 
Expert Dr. Marion Kwek, Love Yourself and Safe Spaces advocate
 Losif Cadelina, and BNO's Toni Tony and Sam YG.

Only 15 percent of young adults aged 15 to 24 years old have knowledge about HIV prevention, a UNAIDS Philippines study showed. The lack of an extensive sex education in the curriculum is seen as a contributing factor—directly or indirectly—to the country’s high HIV growth rate.

Discussions on the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV have always been done in extremes – either it is too technical and clinical or it is peppered with myths and falsehoods – creating a large disconnect with young adults, the audience who matter the most.

“We believe that education is the best way to prevent HIV, especially among the young adults. If they are equipped with the right knowledge about HIV and its potential risks to their health, we believe that they stand a chance in protecting themselves against the chronic disease,” said (Karol Canlas) Durex Philippines (Brand Manager).

Durex launches campaign to curb rising HIV cases in the country

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.