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“GREEN PEACE”

Fake Whale, Real Problem By: Jerome M. Montecalvo

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Greenpeace Philippines is an independent non-government organization that acts to change attitudes and behavior to protect and conserve the environment to promote peace (Greenpeace, 2018). In one of their innovative and most recent efforts, Greenpeace Philippines organized an installation art that shocked the world: a 40 ft dead whale washed ashore on one of the most polluted coasts in the Philippines. But upon a closer look, the “dead” whale turns out to be entirely made of plastic waste.

The whale may be fake but unfortunately, this isn’t far from the truth. Just this March 2019, a dead whale (real this time) was found to have “40 kg of plastic in its stomach, including 16 rice sacks. 4 banana plantation style bags and multiple shopping bags (Elli-Petersen, 2019). Though attempts have been made by the government to ban or decrease the use of plastics, there is more to be done.

It took me a long time to realize that I am also one of the killers who killed a dead whale. In the past few years, I am the kind of person who always throw trashes anywhere and didn’t care about our environment. But seeing this video, I realized that I am literally hurting myself when I’m hurting the environment. I asked myself “Would I willingly destroy me?” Only a person that is crazy would hurt himself on purpose, and luckily, I am not.

When I started thinking that this environment is the bigger version of myself, I started taking care of it. Now I realize more than ever that it is my duty and responsibility to take care of this astounding creation of God. The least we can do here is give importance what’s being given to us. Just like we shouldn’t destroy the gift of God- then earth that we call home.

Thankfully, I am now an instrument for change. As I think twice before committing any crime against mother nature and I entered an organization called YES-O to help and support the environment. Until we figure out a feasible and sustainable solution to rid our oceans of plastic waste, whales and other marine life will continue to suffer. We must act now and take a stand – before it’s too late.

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“LOVE YOURSELF”

Fighting the Stigma Against HIV Testing By: Kyla Depakakibo

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The number of HIV/AIDS cases continues to rise worldwide. In the Philippines, it is estimated as many as 32 Filipinos are diagnosed daily with HIV/AIDS (Philippine National AIDS Council, 2018). While anyone can contract the virus, some groups such as Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and injection drug users are more vulnerable to the disease. If one belongs to a demographic that makes him/her more vulnerable to HIV/AID, it is important to know one’s status to receive the necessary medication. However, stigma on people with HIV/AIDS has discouraged people from testing or coming out for medication. Thus, cases of undiagnosed and untreated HIV may spread. This is where Love Yourself Inc.,  a non-government organization (NGO) based in the Philippines, comes in.

Founded by Ten Outstanding Young Man of the Philippines (Youth Leadership) Ronivin (Vinn) Garcia Pagtakhan, and run by a community of volunteers, the NGO  envisions a model community of MSM and friends who empower and affirm the self-worth of youth and MSM in the Philippines (Loveyourself, 2019). One of their major platforms is HIV awareness, education, and testing drive. Through their initiative, SelfCare, Love Yourself Inc. allows Filipinos to have themselves screened and tested for HIV at their own privacy and convenience.

Selfcare and in turn, Love Yourself Inc., proves that fighting stigma can be done by thinking outside the box solutions.