Danton Remoto in Bali, Indonesia. Photo by Inter Press Service Q & A: ‘Many Still Think That If You Have It, You’ll Die’ 2009 August 10, 2009 Inter Press Service News Agency Terraviva.Asia Nusa Dua, Bali -- The Philippines is a low-HIV prevalence country in South-east Asia. But according to journalist and activist Danton Remoto, who is also the Communications Officer of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines, there are still many underreported and unreported cases. “The figures could be ten times higher,” said Remoto, known more in his home country as a multi-awarded literary writer and chair of Ladlad, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political party. Remoto talks to TerraViva’s Lynette Corporal about his advocacy and his views about the Philippine situation on HIV and AIDS.TerraViva: What is the HIV/AIDS situation in the Philippines right now? Remoto: The Philippines has one of the lowest incidences of HIV transmission in the region. From 1984 to May ...

3 Pinoys getting HIV every day - UNDP Written by Kristine Servando www.abs-cbnnews.com www.newsbreak.com.ph Tuesday, 28 July 2009 The Philippines has seen an "alarming" increase in HIV cases in the past year, especially among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and men who have sex with men (MSM), according to data from the Dept. of Health, as cited by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). "Last May, the country had 85 reported cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the highest ever in the country. That's like 3 people a day, more cases than the A (H1N1) virus," said Danton Remoto, UNDP Communications officer, at the country's 1st National Conference on MSM, Transgender, and HIV last July 22. There have been 3,911 HIV cases since 1984, according to Department of Health (DOH) data as of May 2009. All HIV cases were transmitted through sexual contact, with 36% of cases transmitted through homosexual contact and 89% of cases caused by un...