Durex calls everyone to come together to stay protected

With over two years in lockdown brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, there is another pandemic that the public needs to be concerned about. UNAIDS recently reported new public research which revealed the existence of a more transmissible and damaging variant of HIV. While this newly identified variant does not represent a major public health threat, it underscores the urgency of speeding up efforts to halt the HIV pandemic which continues to take a life every minute*.

 

As part of its advocacy to halt the spread of HIV, Durex calls everyone to come together to stay protected. Remaining as steadfast and driven as ever this 2022—despite the challenges brought by the pandemic—Durex pursues its advocacy of raising awareness on the importance of condom use as means to help stop the HIV pandemic and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the country.

Data from the Department of Health (DOH) shows that HIV cases in the Philippines are rising rapidly and that 30% of new HIV cases are those between 15 and 24 years old**. Furthermore, the DOH says HIV cases increased mainly because in 2020, there was a 61% decline in HIV testing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that only 35% of Filipinos use condoms***

 

With the alert level now downgraded to level 2 in Metro Manila and many parts of the country, Durex is anticipating that more people will be very eager to go out and reconnect with their partners. These couples are those who hardly saw each other or those who saw each other too much during the lockdowns- leading them to experience low libido or loss of interest in sexual activities. And as Durex champions everyone’s right to pleasurable and safe sex, they say reigniting romance must be done responsibly.

 

As the world’s number one condom brand and global experts with over 90 years of experience in the sexual well-being industry, Durex stands firm in its advocacy of helping stop the global HIV pandemic. Their mission is to educate and promote awareness on the benefits of safe sex to curb the spread of HIV, AIDs, and other sexually transmitted infections.

 

Durex continues to dispel the notion that wearing a condom makes sex less pleasurable- thus making non-users more at risk to HIV and STI. In fact, Durex’ wide assortment of condoms offer different benefits to help provide various sexual sensations while at the same time provide the quality standard of protection.

 

Since 1929, Durex has been making condoms with the finest raw materials. From ribs and dots, extra sensitive, extra thin, to made-to-make-it-last and more shapes, sizes and sensations, Durex condoms make sex feel good. Durex also offers lubes that are designed to bring smoothness and extra stimulation to sexual experiences.

 

Despite COVID-19, and the existence of a more transmissible variant of HIV, Durex believes couples should still be able to live life to the fullest and enjoy its perks- like enjoying pleasurable and safe sex. And one way to do this is to reignite romance with passion while staying protected- and to #ComeTogether with Durex.

 

*UNAids (2022) Identification of fast-spreading HIV variant provides evidence of urgency to halt the pandemic and reach all with testing and treatment. https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2022/february/20220207_hiv-variant

**Department of Health (2021). HIV/AIDS & Art Registry of the Philippines.https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/statistics/EB_HARP_March_AIDSreg2021.pdf

***Department of Health (2021). 2020 Annual Report: Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic to the Philippine HIV Epidemic. https://doh.gov.ph/publications/non-serials/2020-Annual-Report-Impact-of-COVID-19-Pandemic-to-the-Philippine-HIV-Epidemic

 

 

 

What You Need to Know: HIV Cases are Rising Rapidly

In the past few years, Filipinos have started opening up and talking about sex and how it is an important conversation to have in order to engage in safe, healthy, and satisfying sexual activities. But despite the inroads that have been made in normalizing conversations about sex, barriers remain when it comes to discussing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as the feelings of shame and stigma remain which prevent people from accessing information and resources that can help Filipinos develop safe sex habits.

 

The lack of access and conversation contributes to the continued rise in the number of people who test HIV-positive in the country. July 2021 data from the HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP) showed that 1,045 Filipinos tested HIV-positive while 60 people died of AIDS-related complications. This means 33 people tested positive every day from January to July 2021.

 

HIV cases in the Philippines continue to rise especially for youths aged 15-24 years old

 

 

Faced with these numbers, Durex continues to strengthen its mission to promote safe sex with its new SEXducated video series available on the Durex Facebook and YouTube channel.

 

SEXducated with Durex

Targeted toward millennials and Gen Zs, singles, and stay-at-home couples, the SEXducated with Durex video series is a fun and creative treatment to lessons on practicing safe sex. The show gives light to HIV awareness and how to improve one’s overall sexual health.

 

“It’s part of our responsibility as a brand to empathize with our consumers’ needs and give them safe and practical solutions,” said Matt Davis, Reckitt Marketing Director. “Through SEXducated with Durex, we aim to provide a safe space and have a thoughtful discussion on topics that beg to be talked about.”

 

Singles and young people can learn from the boys of Boys Night Out (Sam YG, Slick Rick and TonyToni) and Elijah Canlas as the four debunk HIV myths with hard facts. They can also learn from Dr. Kilimanguru, as he addresses need-to-know information about HIV. While couples can find ways to rekindle their relationships as they explore the topic of seeking pleasure through intimate acts with Dr. Rica Cruz.

With Durex’s SEXducated series, Boys Night Out and Elijah Canlas debunk HIV myths and learn hard facts about safe sex

 

 

Dr. Kilimanguru or Winston Kilimanjaro Tiwaquen is a doctor who gained fame on TikTok for his medical advice videos known for being easy to understand and entertaining because of his use of hugot lines and jokes. Through his videos, delivered in colloquial Filipino, viewers learn about the simplest medical issues from the common cold to HIV, and even COVID-19. Meanwhile Dr. Rica Cruz is a sexologist and media personality whose expertise is on sexual pleasure and sexual behaviors. Dr. Rica believes that sexual ownership is sexier than sex.

Together Dr. Kilimanguru and Dr. Rica Cruz, viewers learn need-to-know facts about HIV and having sex safely, intimately, and pleasurably

 

 

Protection, Preparedness, and Education (PPE)

Enabling Filipinos to “Always Come Prepared,” Durex fulfills its role as a responsible brand through ongoing partnerships with various organizations. To date, Durex is distributing condoms to the beneficiaries of the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), San Lazaro Hospital - Nagasaki University Collaborative Research and Laboratory, Positive Action Foundation Philippines Incorporated (PAFPI), Pasig City Government, Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines (SHIP), The Red Whistle, and LoveYourself, Inc.

 

The need to connect is very human and so is the need for open conversation about something as natural as sex. And with the isolation possibly triggering more intense feelings, it’s important to protect oneself from risks that can be otherwise prevented. 

 

With its SEXducated campaign, Durex encourages Filipinos to always come prepared and enjoy sex safely. Learn more about practicing safe sex with Durex via their Facebook page.

 

 

Durex PH aims to raise awareness and encourage the public to take active precautionary measures against HIV

Only 15 percent of young adults aged 15 to 24 years old have knowledge about HIV prevention, a UNAIDS Philippines study showed. The lack of an extensive sex education in the curriculum is seen as a contributing factor—directly or indirectly—to the country’s high HIV growth rate.

UNAIDS Country Director for the Philippines Dr. Louie Ocampo shares that if the current trend of reported new HIV cases in the country, we are seeing tripling of numbers at about "265,000 cases by the end of 2028-2029."


Discussions on the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV have always been done in extremes – either it is too technical and clinical or it is peppered with myths and falsehoods – creating a large disconnect with young adults, the audience who matter the most.

“We believe that education is the best way to prevent HIV, especially among the young adults. If they are equipped with the right knowledge about HIV and its potential risks to their health, we believe that they stand a chance in protecting themselves against the chronic disease,” said (Karol Canlas) Durex Philippines (Brand Manager).

In September, Durex Philippines took the playful and quirky approach to bringing HIV awareness to mind with the launch of its “Always Come Prepared” campaign. Led by the radio trio of Sam YG, Tony Toni, and Slick Rick, the campaign aims to make the conversation on the threats and dangers of the disease lighter and easier to understand for the general public.

Durex Philippines recently launched its Always Come Prepared campaign that aims create HIV awareness and help prevent it. Key organizations--UNAIDS, Love Yourself, and advocates from the medical field, and Boys Night Out (BNO), joined hands with Durex on its mission to curb HIV in the country. (L-R) BNO's Slick Rick, Reckitt Benckiser Read for regulatory Atty. Ricky Salvador, Sex Therapist Dr. Rica Cruz, UNAIDS Country Director for the Philippines Dr. Louie Ocampo, Reckitt Benckiser General Manager Chris Ritchie, Infectious Diseases Expert Dr. Marion Kwek, Love Yourself and Safe Spaces advocate Losif Cadelina, and BNO's Toni Tony and Sam YG.



To pique the interests of young adults on the campaign, Durex also presented a unique visual of a toy soldier using the condom as a parachute.

“Their openness and tongue-in-cheek manner of talking about sex-related issues and concerns, particularly HIV, is a good way for us to reach the younger audience. Medical experts have long talked about the dangers of HIV, but why is it still rising in the Philippines? The message must have been lost somewhere,” said (Chrisel Segundo, Category Manager – Relief and Wellness).

Condoms are still the only known effective method of preventing the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. With its latest campaign, Durex Philippines aims to raise awareness and encourage the public to take active precautionary measures against HIV.