Tambuling Batangas Publication December 05-11, 2018 Issue | Page 5

OPINYON
December 5-11, 2018
World AIDS Day 2018: PRC calls to
intensify HIV testing campaigns
MANILA --- Following major
steps to prevent the spread of
HIV, the Philippine Red Cross
(PRC) marks this year’s World
AIDS Day with a series of
activities that aim to promote
public awareness on the
importance of getting tested.
PRC
Chairman
Richard
Gordon
said
the HIV counselling and
testing activities mirror the
organization’s efforts to end
stigma and discrimination.

“The real AIDS that
kill is ‘Acute Intelligence
Deficiency Syndrome.’ We
must do something to resolve
the problem. And PRC is
doing this through year-round
HIV awareness campaigns,”
Gordon said.
The
HIV/AIDS
and ART Registry of the
Philippines September 2018
reported that there was a total
of 8,533 reported cases from
January to September 2018.
The report also showed that 32
Filipinos are diagnosed with
HIV per day in 2018.

World AIDS Day
takes place every December 1
to raise awareness on HIV and
acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (AIDS), the status
of a person living with HIV
with lesser chance to fight
because of a weaker immune
system.

Banking
on
the
theme “Know Your Status,”
PRC, with the support of
the International Federation
of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies, brings
HIV testing opportunities
closer
to
communities
residing in selected areas in
Metro Manila. HIV testing is
essential to expand treatment
and ensure that people living
Values we must learn from
Andres Bonifacio
By NHCP
OPENING the pages of
Philippine
history
books,
Bonifacio’s
name
would
always be mentioned and
associated with the formation
of the Katipunan, a separatist
movement which spearheaded
the Philippine Revolution of
1896. But unlike Jose Rizal,
whose life and undertakings were
fully documented, very few were
known on the life of Bonifacio,
thanks to the accounts of his
fellow Katipuneros and his wife
Gregoria de Jesus that we were
at least given an impression of
how was he as a person and as
a politically-inclined individual.
This article gives an insight on
the values the Filipinos must
imitate from a man who never
expected to be on the spotlight,
but out of love for his country,
staged actions that changed the
course of Philippine history.
Optimistic Attitude and Strong
Sense of Responsibility

Andres Bonifacio was
barely fourteen years old when
they were orphaned. Without
any hesitation, he assumed the
responsibility of raising his
younger siblings. In order to
meet the daily needs of their
family, he engaged in making
and peddling of paper fans and
wooden canes. Despite the fact
that he cannot afford a formal
education for himself, it did
not prevent him from seeking
knowledge by reading during his
free time.

This
episode
in
Bonifacio’s
life
was
not
uncommon, since there were
several
Filipino
children
orphaned at young age. What
was uncommon about him was
having the optimistic attitude
and strong sense of responsibility
after the death of their parents.
Instead of crying over spilled
milk, he rose on his feet and
worked hard to raise his younger
brothers and sisters. This proved
that being responsible cannot
be quantified by one’s age; it is
with HIV leads to a healthy
and productive life.

PRC, through the
Pasay Chapter, holds an HIV
information
dissemination
with HIV counselling and
testing (HCT) in coordination
with Pasay City Social
Hygiene Clinic on December
1.

The Manila Chapter
holds an HCT with the Social
Hygiene Clinic San Lazaro,
as well as a candlelighting
ceremony on December 2.
The Manila Chapter earlier
conducted an HIV Symposium
and HCTs at FEATI University
and Far Eastern University.

Meanwhile, the Rizal
and the Quezon City Chapters are also set to hold an HCT
in Brgy. Highway Hills and
Brgy. Tatalon, respectively,
on December 2. These are
supported by Bernardo Social
Hygiene Clinic and the
Mandaluyong Social Hygiene
Clinic.

On December 11, the
Caloocan Chapter will also
hold “Rise Up,” a benefit
concert for the Chapter’s HIV
awareness campaigns.

HIV symposia and
information drives will also
take place in Bukidnon, Abra,
Pangasinan,
Valenzuela,
Cotabato City, Camarines
Sur,
Misamis
Oriental,
Ilocos Norte, and Lapu-Lapu
Chapters. (PRC)
a matter of learning how to act,
rationalize and decide correctly
despite overwhelming burdens
and pressures.

Bonifacio had shown
high regard for education and
despite his meager status he
engaged in reading books
written in Tagalog and Spanish.
Filipinos should realize that
event at present, a commendable
reading habit is very important
in enriching minds and in
making oneself productive and
competent. Filipinos aware of the real
condition of the country, he sold
revolutionary leaflets near the
University of Santo Tomas. He
also joined the La Liga Filipina
when it was founded by Jose Rizal
on 3 July 1892. Unfortunately,
the Liga Filipina died down after
the imprisonment of Rizal in
Dapitan. Bonifacio founded the
Katipunan on 7 July 1892 in an
aim to gain independence from
Spain. Through the said act,
Bonifacio actively responded
to the call of the time to make a
change.
Value for Work and Virtue of Not
Wasting Time

While working as clerk
for Fleming and Company,
Bonifacio also worked as poster-
maker to augment his income.
In the early phase of 1896,
he shifted to another English
company known as Fressels
Company where he worked as an
agent.

If Filipino workers
would maintain the dignity of
their works just like Bonifacio,
both private and public services
will definitely be delivered
efficiently
and
effectively.
If
workers are more time-
oriented and hard-working,
the development and progress
of the Philippines will not be
impossible, for time is not wasted
merely for standing, gossiping
and image-building but more on
directing services and fulfillment
of duties for the betterment of
the society.
Social Responsiveness

Just like any other
Indio of his time, Bonifacio felt
the social malaise as a result
of oppressive Spanish colonial
administration. To make fellow
Patriotism and Love for his
native language

When the Kalayaan, the
official organ of the Katipunan,
essays written by Bonifacio
such as “Ang Dapat Mabatid ng
mga Tagalog” and “Pag-ibig sa
Tinubuang Lupa” were included.
Bonifacio encouraged the use of
the vernacular in the association
and opted to write in Tagalog, to
show patriotism and love for his
native language.
Humility

Though most of his
detractors portrayed Bonifacio
as arrogant, this can be belied
by anecdotes involving him
and Emilio Jacinto. Initially,
Bonifacio wrote the Decalogue
that embodied the teachings of
the Katipunan. But soon after,
Jacinto came up with his Mga
Aral ng Katipunan to which,
Bonifacio found to be superior
to his own. Thus, he promptly
withdrew the Decalogue and
ordered the adaptation of
Jacinto’s work.
Such was
the humility of a man. (Chris
Antonette Piedad-Pugay/NHCP)