‘Positive’ star Martin Escudero challenges audience at HIV/AIDS forum to get tested

Martin Escudero. (Bernard Testa/InterAksyon)

“Positive” star Martin Escudero challenged fans and Filipinos alike to get tested for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Monday, one day after World AIDS Day, at a forum on HIV and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) at the Asian Development Bank headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

The second speaker at the event, Martin recalled how he had very little knowledge about HIV and AIDS before he began doing the TV5 miniseries, but had since learned a lot, and had even been able to debunk some of the myths about the subject.

One important lesson he took away from the seminars and immersions conducted by the AIDS Society of the Philippines (ASP) for the cast was that getting tested for HIV was not a taboo, and in fact, will allow the patient to get appropriate medical support as early as possible.

“It’s a way of caring for myself, my family, and my future,” said the TV5 actor, who plays Carlo, a call center executive living with HIV, in “Positive”.

Martin himself got tested, and while the process is usually confidential, he signed a waiver to reveal that he underwent the procedure.

“Ang rason ko ay hindi para malaman ang status ko, pero para makatulong,” he told InterAksyon.com. Because he was in the limelight, he could be a role model for people who are scared to get tested or to find out the results. “Para maging tulong na rin ako, maging daan para sa kanila.”

He said that media has an important role to play in spreading awareness about HIV and AIDS. This was why he was proud to “speak boldly about the stark reality” of it through the first TV drama in the Philippines to focus on the subject.

He now says that spreading awareness about HIV and AIDS has become his advocacy, noting that a number of Filipinos engage in risky activities such as unsafe sex and drug use without knowing their HIV status.

Martin Escudero speaks during the forum at the Asian Development Bank on Monday as Yasushi Kanzaki, ADB's director general for budget, personnel, and management systems, listens. (Bernard Testa/InterAksyon)

He was also able to talk to a number of people living with HIV, and said that while their stories had some sadness to them, they nevertheless had a positive outlook.

“Talagang magugulat ka sa mga pinagdaanan nila. Hindi biro. Talagang mabibigat. Sa kabila nito, ang pananaw nila sa buhay mas positive, mas masaya pa kaysa sa atin. Hindi sila yung akalain mong wala nang magagawa sa buhay. Sila yung active pa rin. Talagang kapakipakinabang yung bawat segundo ng buhay nila,” he said.

At the end of the interview, he reiterated the piece of advice he and the cast and production staff of “Positive” always give: get tested.

“Hindi na ‘yan pangit sa pandinig. ‘Yun na ang kailangan.”

According to ASP, every local government unit has a social hygiene clinic where people can get tested for free. They can also get tested at treatment hubs and hospitals, as well as private clinics and hospitals for a fee.

‘Positive’ star Martin Escudero challenges audience at HIV/AIDS forum to get tested

Source: InterAksyon.com (December 04, 2013 at 10:27AM)

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