MISS Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and singer-actor Ice Seguerra have joined calls for young Filipinos to get tested for HIV as new cases continue to rise, particularly among youth aged 15 to 25.
Pia, who has championed HIV awareness since her pageant days, said the issue remains urgent and alarming, but reminded the public that prevention and early detection can make all the difference.
“It’s true that HIV cases are rising, especially among the youth. It’s alarming, yes. But that’s not the whole story,” she said.
Wurtzbach encouraged young people to get tested.
“Let’s not let fear win. Let’s respond with love, knowledge, and action,” she said.
Ice, who previously served as chair of the National Youth Commission, shared his own frustrations about the challenges in combating the spread of HIV among Filipino youth.
“When I was still with the NYC, we were presented with the alarming rise in HIV cases. We started collaborating with the Department of Health and other agencies to raise awareness and promote testing,” he said.
Ice noted that Thailand’s comprehensive strategy, including early sex education, condom distribution, and destigmatized testing, led to a significant drop in infections.
However, he said similar efforts in the Philippines were hindered by conservative politics and stigma.
“Some lawmakers threatened to cut our budget if we pushed through with our plans to distribute condoms. We wanted to make change, but our hands were tied,” he said.
Ice emphasized the need for a “whole-of-government approach” that prioritizes science over personal beliefs.
“To parents, talk to your kids about sex. Help them make informed choices. And to our leaders—please do better,” he said. “HIV is not a death sentence, but it’s still something we need to take seriously.”
