EKSPEDISYON

 The field practicum class went to the United Methodist Church Head Quarters in Ermita, Manila, on April 20, 2024, from 1:00-5:00 PM. We have our closing session, basic counseling session, and debriefing with A.P.W.A.I. members and the deaconess in charge.   During the closing session, we shared our learnings, realizations, and reflections on our exposure to the activities and the lives of people living with HIV. We have talked about our experiences during HIV Awareness at Wesleyan University, our encounters and discussions with PLHIV, and visitation in the shelter for PLHIV, the PAFPI.  Even though, we, the field practicum students have differences in how to perceive things, we have received a common message from the issue of HIV. We have learned that PLHIV doesn’t want us to pity them but instead they want us to give them 3Ps (Pang-unawa, Pagtanggap, Pantay na karapatan). They want us to give them our understanding of their situation, to accept them as human bein

 The Field Practicum Class was scheduled to go at The United Methodist Church Headquarters in Ermita, Manila, on April 6, 2024, from 1:00-5:00 PM. The task prepared for us was to have a Focused Group Discussion or group interview with HIV patients.  The trip from Taytay Rizal to Manila is more or less two hours. We rode a jeep going to Sta. Lucia and a train from Sta. Lucia to Recto and another train from Doroteo Jose to the United Nations and we walked to the headquarters.  The session started with an introduction and brief discussion about HIV and AIDS and proceeded to the group interview. Three women were interviewed. The field practicum class has prepared a set of questions for the interview. Here are the following questions:  ● Gaano kahirap ang magkaroon ng HIV / AIDS?  ● Ano yung naramdaman mo nung nalaman mong may HIV ka?   ● Ano yung mga ginawa mo upang tulungan ang sarili mo na manatiling matatag?   ● Ano ang naramdaman mong pagbabago sa iyong physical na kataw

 The Field Practicum class was scheduled to visit the Positive Action Foundation Philippines (PAFPI), a shelter for People Living with HIV (PLHIV), on April 13, 2024, from 2:00- 4:00 PM, in Malate, Metro Manila. We are accompanied by a member of APWAI Association of Positive Women Advocates Inc., one deaconess, and a General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) missionary. We had an interview with the Social Worker in charge, the Chairman of the PAFPI, and the officer and dedicated member of PAFPI. They showed us the facilities, the visitors lobby, the rooms for women PLHIV, and the office. The building is like a two-story house apartment. During our visit, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Taft Campus students are doing their project in PAFPI which is renovating the lobby by building barrier curtains. However, we did not have the opportunity to see the men PLHIV because they were asleep and resting. At the end of our visit, we prayed for the PAFPI, gave a small