Top HIV advocates call on Filipinos to prioritize health safety in next normal

During last month’s World AIDS day, some of the country’s most known personalities came together to support the Protection and Preparedness Education (PPE) campaign of Durex, which is anchored on the Always Come Prepared message.  Stressing the point that “no one is invulnerable to catching HIV so always being prepared in encounters is a must,” the campaign is the brand’s way of advocating for HIV awareness and health safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through Durex’s World AIDS Day Campaign, which encourages everyone to join in on the fight against HIV/AIDS, celebrities and HIV advocates including TonyToni, Slick Rick, Sam YG, Ian Pangilinan, Paolo Pangilinan, Elijah Canlas, Kokoy De Santos, Macoy Dubs, Marc Teng, Freak & Jerck, Rica Cruz, Jabar Esmael, MA Buendia, and others all shared social media posts that showed them donning Durex statement face masks that carry such catchy but timely messages such as ‘Safety is Sexy,’ ‘Don’t Blow It,’ ‘Suit Up Before Hook Up’, ‘Always Come Prepared’ and more!

“Even in the face of the pandemic, the brand strongly believes that continuing to raise awareness on HIV should not stop. This is why we launched the Protection and Preparedness Education (PPE) campaign” says Durex Philippines. “We’re extremely pleased that a number of celebrities and influencers have all agreed to take part in this endeavor, which includes our fun but sensible Mask Initiative, by helping spread the word through their respective social media accounts.”

To help boost their efforts to combat HIV/AIDS amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and promote health safety, Durex also recently donated personal protective equipment (PPEs)—a total of 1000 face masks, 1000 face shields, and 7000 boxes of Durex Condoms each—to local HIV-advocate groups LoveYourself, The Red Whistle, and the PLHIV Response Center.

Durex to launch an all-new campaign focused on HIV Protection & Preparedness Education (PPE): This all-digital campaign stresses the ongoing dangers of HIV during this pandemic

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the issue of HIV and the dangers it brings, seems to have taken a backseat amidst everything that the whole world is experiencing right now. Yet, what people don’t seem to realize is that HIV is equally threatening as COVID-19. In the same way that we are told to wear masks and face shields, being properly educated, prepared, and protected against HIV is likewise critical in today’s times.

With this in mind, Durex launches its latest digital campaign dubbed as “Protection & Preparedness Education” or PPE in short. This timely initiative aims to heighten HIV awareness, stressing the constant relevance of safe sex and “Always Coming Prepared”—and that we must never let our guards down. Whether for singles or stay-at-home couples, using protection—which can provide necessary safeguards without limiting pleasure—is crucial, as health and wellness concerns continue to take front and center, during the ongoing pandemic.

 

Towards this end, Durex has lined-up a series of online events, headlined by the crew of Boys Night Out (BNO)—TonyToni, Slick Rick, and Sam YG—the campaign’s main ambassadors.

 

“With all that is happening during these trying times, we must not lose sight of the fact that HIV remains to be a serious concern, one that is as life-threatening as COVID-19,” says Durex Philippines. “The Always Come Prepared campaign of Durex therefore continues, made just as relevant and timely—in keeping with the situation by going online. We will keep on with our goal of educating the public about HIV Prevention, and that being prepared is always a must.”

Among the exciting and relevant activities to watch out for include an online staging of the University Townhall series featuring speakers from the medical field, psychology, HIV, and LGBTQIA+ awareness and advocacy; the launch of HIV Awareness E-Learning Videos that’s well suited for the shift towards online learning; and Vlog collabs with influencers and celebrities focused on fun, health and wellness activities.

Stay tuned for more details by subscribing to Durex Philippines’ YouTube Channel.

Durex calls for inclusivity and acceptance

During the recently held Pride Month, Durex proudly joined the LGBTQIA+ community in their shout for inclusivity and acceptance. Continuing its mission to protect every Filipino from the threats of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and AIDS, Durex underscores the importance of using protection during sexual intercourse. To achieve this, they aim to make condoms accessible to Filipinos’ education and awareness initiatives such as school tours and social media and influencer campaigns. This has become ever more relevant as the Philippines has become the country with the fastest-growing HIV cases, with 35 cases reported per day in 2019 according to the DOH.

Towards this end, Durex strengthens its support to the LGBTQIA+ community, which has seen a high infection rate year on year. And for the month of June, Durex took Pride by sharing love and care for all and by removing dated notions and outmoded definitions of LGBTQIA+ sex, to show there’s really no one way to own your sexuality.

 

Simply put, Durex aims to show people that they should never feel confined and intimidated by how others define gay and lesbian sex and that their ways are also truly valid. Each one of us should be aware of our own rights as individuals and must have love and respect for one another’s choice.

 

Hence, the brand came out with the timely campaign message ‘No One Way, Love All Ways’, which was the rallying cry during the recently concluded Durex Online Pride Party hosted by Becky Nights. This fun and exciting party featured several games and activities, including interviews with special guests TonyToni, Slick Rick, and Sam YG of Boys Night Out, Gameboys’ Elijah Canlas, Miss International Queen 2012 Kevin Balot, LGBTQIA+ Advocate Justin Contemprato and Content Creator Jake Perez. Viewers of the Online Pride Party were also treated to special performances by celebrity impersonators Brigiding, Popstar Bench, and Precious Paula Nicole.

 

“One of the best ways to show our support to the LGBTQIA+ community is to make each and every one of them feel that they are loved and accepted”, Durex Philippines said in a statement recently. “It is equally important that their feelings are valued and embraced, and that we don’t dictate to them how they should think and feel.”

 

With the ‘No One Way, Love All Ways’ message, Durex also sets out to enjoin everyone to continue the fight of the LGBTQIA+ community long after Pride Month – in solidarity and in togetherness. Because as prejudice, preconceptions, and HIV cases continue to rise, the march must simply continue on!

Make your partner feel protected this Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day has always been about spending that singular day once a year with your special someone—going out on an unforgettable date, buying each other gifts, or spending intimate moments together.

While these traditional ways of celebrating will always be there, no doubt one of the best ways to express your love is to really make your partner feel safe and protected—more so by using proper protection such as condoms.

Together with preventing unwanted pregnancies with a 98% effectivity rate, condoms, when properly used during sexual intercourse, has been proven to be one of the best ways to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Figures from the Commission on Population (POPCOM) shows how more adolescents engage in premarital sex, with 500 teenage girls giving birth every day. Similarly, HIV cases are on the rise in the country, with UNAIDS reporting that the number of new infections in the Philippines has more than doubled, something not to be taken lightly.

With all of these, having a condom at the ready simply shows your partner how much you really care this Valentine’s Day, which incidentally is also National Condom Day.  It’s a reflection of how you both have your health and wellness in mind and is as well a sign of deep respect and, ultimately, love and affection. And buying condoms need not be an embarrassing experience anymore.

Thankfully, brands such as Durex make condoms accessible sans the awkwardness associated with purchasing them. Aside from making them available in retail outlets such as pharmacies, groceries, and convenience stores, Durex condoms can now also be bought through online through sites like Lazada, with the available option of ‘privacy guaranteed packaging’ wherein condoms can be packed in ‘discreet books’ that really do look like an honest-to-goodness book on the outside.

So this Valentine’s season, express your love in the most meaningful of ways, show how much your partner means to you, and always come protected.