Davao girl, 12, becomes youngest to contract HIV thru sex

DAVAO CITY -- A 12–year-old girl from this city has become the youngest person to become infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through sexual intercourse, a city health official said.
Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, City Health Office (CHO) chief, said the girl is the youngest since the city started monitoring HIV cases in 1993.
"Naay mga bata na karon na naga-engage na sa sex at a very young age (There are children now who engage in sex at a very young age)," Villafuerte said.
She said 22 new cases of persons living with HIV, 21 of them are males, have been recorded between January and March this year. The new cases have brought the number of persons living with HIV in the city to 140.
Villafuerte said 39 new cases have been recorded in the city in the whole of 2010.
Although the figure shows that HIV is prevalent among men, Villafuerte said it is not yet conclusive that the highest incidence in the city is indeed men having sex with men.
HIV is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids). Aids is the late stage of the chronic disease, which is caused by HIV infection.
"Even if they are positive with HIV, there is still hope. There are free medicines we can provide for them," Villafuerte said.
Villafuerte said HIV must not be associated with death since there are advancements, which can now prolong the lives of persons living with HIV.
Less than 20 people have died of HIV infection in the Davao City since 1993, she said. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more local stories, visit www.sunstar.com.ph

July 17, 2011 - Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa.

Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa
July 17 ,2011 Episode

Waig Crystal Spring Resort

I was looking deep into my files searching for a specific document when I bumped into this set of photos I have set aside for backup purposes. This set of photo files was our Company Team Building held last year at Waig Crystal Spring Resort. Browsing the files, it brings back all the funny memories during the said two days event.

Yes!, I will not talk about our team building activities but the place, the Waig Crystal Spring Resort. Waig Crystal Spring Resort is the best place to stay if you are looking for adventure away from the city. It has lots of attractions include several pools, slide, zipline and man-made waterfalls. It is really for adventure seekers and nature lovers as well.

The resort is situated at the intersection of the plateau located in the province of Bukidnon. The 3.8 (not sure) hectare of land is good picturesque and amasing land and water capes.

It has a 50feet hanging bridge just enough to tickle your fear if you are afraid of height. I can still see the look of my co-worker’s face when they walked across the bridge; some yelled and scared but some laughed about it and felt accomplished crossing it. It was truly a fun experience.

Now here’s the fun part{music start}drums sounds{music-end}, the most exciting part is finally here. The “ZIP-LINE” ride. YAHOOO! Actually, it was my first ride in zip-line. So the feeling is indescribable, its mixed emotions; “THRILLED, EXCITED, FEAR, etc”. And after all the waiting and setting of safety belts, the ride is finally here. It was a fast ride but soooo cool and fun. I wanted to do another round but the line was long and my pocket restricts me from doing so. J

Well, it was a FUN experience. I’m glad that I have the chance to stay for two day at Waig Crystal Spring Resort. Two thumbs up!

July 10, 2011 - Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa.

Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa
July 10 ,2011 Episode

Davao City’s No Segregation, No Collection’ starts July 1

I have received an email from a college friend about the "No Segregation, No Collection in Davao City" on garbage disposal. The News Article is taken from the "The Mindanao Daily Mirror" issued June 10, 2011.

Davao’s ‘no segregation,
no collection’ starts July 1

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews)–Starting July 1, Davaoeños will have to segregate their garbage as the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) will start implementing the “no segregation, no collection” policy.
Dolores Remojo, environment chair of CENRO, made the announcement on the implementation of the city ordinance for ecological solid waste manangement during the Kapihan sa Dabaw press forum at SM City Davao on Monday.
Last May 3, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the city's Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2009 was approved and signed by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. The ordinance is in line with Republic Act 9003, the Act Providing for Ecological Solid Waste Management Program.
Out of 182 barangays in the city, 103 are accessible to garbage collectors. The rest could not avail of the service due to distance.
But Remojo said CENRO is working out to provide the service to all barangays.
She said that 95 of barangays have already been visited by the CENRO’s information education communication (IEC) teams. The IEC teams are actively going to the different barangays to orient officials on their participation, forming their respective barangay solid waste management committees. JB J. Tingzon/MindaNews