AHF Philippines

10/08/2026

09/08/2026

Happy Birthday, Dr. Chhim Sarath! 🥳🥳

Wishing you a wonderful birthday and another year of good health, happiness, and continued success. Thank you for your leadership, dedication, and commitment to advancing public health across Asia and beyond.

May the year ahead bring you new opportunities, meaningful achievements, and countless reasons to celebrate.

Happy Birthday from your AHF Philippines family! 🎂🎈🎊

09/08/2026

Every community deserves access to health, dignity, and opportunity.

This August 9, IP HIV Awareness Day, we stand with Indigenous Peoples in promoting HIV awareness, ending stigma, and advancing health equity for all.

Together, we can build healthier and more inclusive communities.

08/08/2026

𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗛𝗜𝗩 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗫𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗛𝗜𝗩 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗗𝗔𝗬

PAMPANGA, Philippines – Indigenous Peoples (IP) youth from Pampanga and Tarlac gathered today for the observance of IP HIV Awareness Day, a community-led initiative aimed at strengthening awareness on HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and health equity among Indigenous communities.

Organized through the collaboration of AHF Philippines, Bahay LiNGAD, and partners, the activity provided a platform for Indigenous youth to learn about important health issues while fostering dialogue on the unique challenges that Indigenous communities face in accessing health information and services.

Opening the program, Dr. Ryan C. Guinaran, Country Program Manager of AHF Philippines, shared the background and significance of IP HIV Awareness Day, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that HIV education and healthcare services are inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive to Indigenous Peoples.

Participants attended educational sessions on sexual and reproductive health and HIV. Vic Arthur R. Masliyan, Advocacy and Marketing Officer of AHF Philippines, facilitated the discussion on Sexual and Reproductive Health, highlighting the importance of informed decision-making, healthy relationships, and access to accurate health information. Meanwhile, Dr. Maria Victoria Garcia of Bahay LiNGAD led the HIV 101 session, providing participants with essential knowledge on HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and stigma reduction.

The activity was also attended by Dr. Edwin Pasumbal, HACT Chair of Bahay LiNGAD, whose presence reaffirmed the institution's commitment to strengthening HIV awareness and healthcare access for Indigenous communities.

Adding an international perspective to the gathering, Deepak Dhungel, Advocacy and Marketing Manager of the AHF Asia Bureau, expressed his appreciation for the initiative and commended the active participation of Indigenous youth. He underscored the importance of community-driven efforts in advancing HIV awareness and ensuring that no sector is left behind in the HIV response.

Representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region III and Bahay LiNGAD also joined the activity, demonstrating strong multi-sectoral support for promoting health equity and empowering Indigenous communities through education and advocacy.

07/08/2026

📢 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 |
BENGUET IP HIV AWARENESS DAY RUN 2026

Due to the continuous inclement weather and in consideration of the safety and well-being of all participants, volunteers, organizers, and partner agencies, the BENGUET IP HIV AWARENESS DAY RUN 2026, originally scheduled for August 9, 2026, is POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

This decision was made after careful assessment of the prevailing weather conditions to ensure the safety of everyone involved. While we understand this may be disappointing, the safety of our participants remains our highest priority.

A new schedule will be announced once weather conditions improve and it is safe to proceed with the event.

We kindly ask everyone to stay tuned to the SK Poblacion - La Trinidad page for official announcements regarding the rescheduled date and other important updates.

We sincerely thank everyone who has registered, shared the event, and expressed their support for this advocacy. We look forward to running together soon in promoting HIV awareness, healthy living, and solidarity with the Indigenous Peoples of Benguet.

Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe.

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

A meaningful lunch meeting centered on advocacy, collaboration, and shared purpose. 🤝🌍

Today, we had the privilege of meeting with key leaders from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation:

Dr. Chhim Sarath — AHF Asia Bureau Chief
Deepak Dhungel — Regional Advocacy and Marketing Manager
Dr. Ivan Kurnia — Director, AHF Global Public Health Institute for Asia and the Western Pacific
Dr. Ryan Guinaran — Country Program Manager, AHF Philippines
Ms. Michelle Garcia — AHF Philippines

Our discussion focused on strengthening our advocacy initiatives and exploring how AHF and the Mr. Gay World Organization can build a meaningful and sustainable partnership—one that creates greater impact, expands awareness, and strengthens our commitment to HIV prevention, treatment, education, and the communities we serve.

Representing the Mr. Gay World Organization were President and CEO Wayne Renzo, Mr. Gay World Philippines 2026 Drei Arias, and First Runner-Up JM Lago.

We look forward to turning today’s meaningful conversation into purposeful action. Together, we can amplify our advocacy and create lasting change. ❤️

StrongerTogether MeaningfulPartnership

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗟 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦, 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗛𝗙'𝘀 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗧 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗟𝗔

PASAY CITY - Global health leaders, parliamentarians, and debt justice advocates gathered in Manila for the Freedom from Debt Press Conference, where they called for urgent reforms to the global debt system and warned that rising debt payments continue to undermine investments in health, education, and social protection in developing countries.

Organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) as part of its global Freedom from Debt campaign, the event was strategically held while international delegates were in Manila for the UNITE Global Summit 2026, providing an opportunity to bring the campaign's message directly to parliamentarians and policymakers from around the world.

Advocates highlighted that 3.4 billion people live in countries that spend more on debt servicing than on health or education, while the Philippines now allocates more than ₱2 trillion, or about 30% of its national budget, to debt servicing.

"Every budget season, Filipinos hear promises of better healthcare, education, and social services. But these goals become harder to achieve when a substantial share of public resources is devoted to debt payments," said Raquel Castillo of the Freedom from Debt Coalition Philippines.

Speakers also stressed that debt should be viewed not only as an economic issue but as a public health and development concern.

"Debt is not an abstract economic issue. It affects the services people receive, the opportunities available to communities, and the government's ability to respond during times of crisis," said Dr. Ryan Guinaran, Country Program Manager of AHF Philippines.

The campaign is advancing three key reforms: the establishment of a Borrowers' Forum to strengthen the negotiating power of developing countries, automatic debt-service pauses during public health and climate emergencies, and a 1% AI Solidarity Levy to help fund debt relief and essential public services.

"No country should have to choose between paying its creditors and investing in the health, education, and future of its people. Debt must be a tool for development, not a barrier to it," said Dr. Chhim Sarath, AHF Asia Bureau Chief.

The press conference featured Dr. Chhim Sarath, Ariel Terrón of the AHF Global Public Health Institute, Guilherme Duarte of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, Raquel Castillo of the Freedom from Debt Coalition Philippines, and Namibian parliamentarian Hon. Utaara Mootu.

06/08/2026

See you at the Benguet IP HIV Awareness Day Run! 🎉

Register now!
https://forms.gle/C57Mzna4mDv5PfBf7