Think of any public health threats here in the Philippines, specifically among Filipino teenagers, one may think that it is malnutrition, insufficient access to clean water, use of drugs, or Covid-19. Try to scroll, share, and stream not around social media but through life. There is one silent threat that is intensifying the situation of not only our own country, but the youth of many Filipinos—the quiet yet alarming disease: Human Immunodeficiency Virus or mostly known as HIV. 

Nowadays, HIV is no longer the concern of adulthood, couples, or grown-ups. But, it is now knocking on the door of many Filipino teenagers. According to the Department of Health (DOH) as of the first quarter of 2025, approximately one-third of the Philippine population among the age group of 15 to 24 years old are newly diagnosed with HIV. 

The Philippines’ situation is becoming more alarming as days go by, as the Filipino youth are lacking discipline, or more specifically, the lack and absence of attention from their parents. We all know that this medical condition is quite hard to cure, with the stigma surrounding HIV being so strong that even those who are avoiding it may still be affected. We cannot let this condition spread. 

In my outlook, sex education in Philippine schools is limited as with the Philippine Government, maybe they don’t have enough knowledge regarding this kind of situation. Sex education is not a threat, it is an answer. It is to provide guidance not just to all our fellow teenagers, but to people who are seeking guidance, in view of the fact that knowledge is the actual protection. How is it going? Many countries struggle with learners who are illiterate and uninformed about sex education. But the good news is that HIV is preventable and manageable through medicines, especially now that we are surrounded by modern technology to be used in prevention. But, not in curing.

I am one of those teenagers who don’t have enough knowledge about sex education, but I understand that risks can happen to me if I violate or disrespect my own body. Without urgent actions and solutions and if we don’t encourage the public to talk about it openly, the HIV epidemic among teenagers will continue to escalate, undermining the health and future of the nation’s youth.

As one of them, I have an everlasting and indestructible solicitude for our youth. We should empower them—not make fun of them. Let’s break our silence and offer a helping hand for our future and unmask those negative spirits and not the positive ones. I know each and everyone of us is looking forward to a country that is free from problems concerning sex. We are not immortal beings to be ignored. Let this world be a safe place for everyone, to grow faster together as one.