Breaking the Stigma: Real Stories from HIV Patients in Manila

Breaking the Stigma: Real Stories from HIV Patients in Manila

Hope, humor, and healing—from the voices of Manila's HIV-positive warriors.

In a city as loud and lively as Manila, some voices still struggle to be heard—especially when it comes to HIV. But not anymore. Because today, real people living with HIV in the Philippines are shattering silence, smashing stigma, and showing the world that life doesn’t end with a diagnosis—it just shifts gears. Let’s meet a few of them.

MEET: Andrei, 24, student & aspiring chef

“I thought being gay AND HIV-positive meant I’d have to give up my dream. Turns out—I just needed to learn how to cook with meds, not hide from them.”

Andrei was diagnosed at 21, after a routine checkup with a campus outreach. He started ART within a week and hasn’t looked back.

Now? He’s acing culinary school, dating someone amazing, and proudly sharing his journey on TikTok.

Clinic that supported him: PULSE CLINIC (Social Enterprise) - Manila
✔ Discreet
✔ Youth-friendly
✔ Fast-track ART

🎤 MEET: Liza, 38, single mom & office warrior

“When I tested positive, my first thought was my son. But then I realized—being alive and well for him means sticking to treatment. No shame, no drama.”

Liza is one of the growing number of women living with HIV in the Philippines—a group too often overlooked. But she’s not just surviving—she’s thriving.

She gets her meds on time, checks her CD4 every 6 months, and even leads a peer support circle for other women living with HIV.

Support she loves:

• PULSE CLINIC (Social Enterprise) Manila for meds
• Project Red Ribbon for emotional wellness
• Group chats for 2 AM panic moments

🎤 MEET: Jun, 29, drag queen & HIV advocate

“I tell my audience the same thing I tell myself: undetectable = unbreakable. We slay with meds and slay the stigma!”

Jun uses his platform to raise awareness—on stage and online. He was diagnosed in 2020, and though it shook him, he turned it into a platform for power.

Today, he’s part of outreach teams that visit bars, campuses, and Pride events, educating others about PrEP, PEP, and the reality of living undetectable.

Clinic shoutout: PULSE CLINIC (Social Enterprise) – Clark Angeles
✔ LGBTQIA+ affirming
✔ PrEP/PEP specialists
✔ Free sexual health kits

The Power of Stories

What do these stories have in common?

✅ They started with fear—but grew into courage
✅ They turned pain into purpose
✅ And they all remind us that HIV is a health condition, not a moral sentence

Stigma Still Hurts. But You Don’t Have to Carry It.

Here’s what stigma looks like:

• “No one will love me.”
• “I can’t tell anyone.”
• “I must have done something wrong.”

Here’s what the truth looks like:

• HIV is manageable with ART
• You can still fall in love, have kids, and travel
• You deserve compassion, not shame

What Can You Do?

Even if you’re not living with HIV, you can help break the stigma:

• Talk about it. Silence helps stigma grow.
• Learn the facts. U=U, PrEP, PEP—it’s all part of modern HIV care.
• Support inclusive clinics like PULSE CLINIC (Social Enterprise), where everyone—queer, straight, shy, scared, or unsure—is welcome.
• Share stories. Like these. Yours. Ours. The more we speak up, the less stigma sticks.

Real Talk = Real Change

Whether you're living with HIV, just got diagnosed, or are a strong ally—remember: stigma only survives in silence.

But in Manila, the silence is breaking. And in its place? Laughter. Pride. Power.

Book online or walk in at PULSE CLINIC (Social Enterprise) 

Start your journey to empowered sexual health today.

Contact us at pulseliving@pulse-clinic.com or via your preferred platform.

You’re not alone. And your story matters.