Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project, a global initiative funded by PEPFAR and USAID and led by FHI 360, engaged youth leaders and influencers in a fun and interactive learning experience on HIV, sexual pleasure, and sexual health promotion through this year’s Young Influencers Convention.

The convention was held in early August at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, as part of the upskilling activities under EpiC’s Free to Be YOUTH HUB. The goal of the two-day convention was to develop and sustain collaboration between advocates and online influencers in promoting sexual health in various social media platforms.

“When it comes to HIV education and counseling among young people, fear and risk-based messaging should not be the only option,” said EpiC Philippines Project Director Teresita Bagasao. “Sex positive and pleasure-based messaging, especially when discussing HIV, increases one’s confidence in their sexual health, thereby encouraging people to access services for their personal protection.”

Esteemed guest speakers, including Ateneo Gender Hub’s Safe Spaces Coordinator and drag queen Clea Torres de La Torre, “Marahuyo Project” star and queer artist Adrian Lindayag, and prominent social media influencers Mathilda Airlines, Ice Neo, Jamie Casino, and Lorenz Olleres, discussed sexual pleasure in relation to HIV management and sexual health promotion. The experiences of people who are on Pre-Exposure Prophy and people living with HIV were particularly explored during the series of talk shows with the advocates and influencers. The Department of Health also attended to discuss health communication strategies, including the ramping up of the Undetectable Equals Undetectable campaign in the country.

“Pleasure matters because it empowers. Pleasure is power,” shared Adrian Lindayag. “Sana patuloy nating i-educate ang mga tao tungkol sa sexual health lalo na ang mga kabataan na nangangailangan ng protection. (Hopefully, we will continue educating people, especially the youth who need protection). “They will be protected with the right information so let’snot stop educating people,” he added. Budding influencers who participated in the convention were also encouraged to produce content inspired by their personal insights and learnings.

Launched in 2023 by EpiC, the Free to Be YOUTH HUB is a two-phased knowledge sharing and mentoring program for youth leaders, preparing them to become champions in the HIV response.

The first phase was dedicated to educating youth leaders on HIV innovations, including self-testing, PrEP, and ‘U=U’ or ‘Undetectable equals Untransmittable.’ The second phase, on the other hand, focused on enhancing the skills of the youth leaders on project development, leadership, advocacy, and digital influencing. Through the 40 young leaders engaged in the youth hub, they are currently implementing 12 innovative projects that integrate sexual pleasure to destigmatize HIV; thereby increasing young people’s access to prevention, testing, and treatment services.

“More than ever, the platforms and competencies of young people on social media use should be optimized for HIV education and service access. Young influencers should be empowered and supported to transform their social media reach into better health outcomes in their generation,” Teresita Bagasao stressed.

The Philippines has the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Western Pacific. The latest national data shows that almost a third of the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases are among 15-24 years old. Free to YOUTH HUB and other initiatives led by the youth expands awareness and access to prevention, testing, and treatment services for young people.

For more information on Free To Be YOUTH HUB and the Free To Be U! campaign, visit Free To Be U!’s Facebook page. For free HIV services, book your health appointments at QuickRes.org/press.