UTS-Midterm-Reviewer-Lesson-1-to-3 PDF

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF Different cultures and varying environments tend to create different perceptions of the “self”. One of the most common distinctions between cultures and people is the Eastern vs. Western dichotomy, wherein Eastern represents Asia and Western represents Europe, North and Sout...

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF Different cultures and varying environments tend to create different perceptions of the “self”. One of the most common distinctions between cultures and people is the Eastern vs. Western dichotomy, wherein Eastern represents Asia and Western represents Europe, North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand. It must be understood that this distinction and the countries included were politically colored during their inception. Thus, we should be more open to other cultural differences in the perspective, formation, and expression of the “self”. In the Philippines alone, each region may have a similar or varying perception regarding the self. Did you know that Easterners are more likely to talk about their relationships with people when completing this sentence? Ex. “I am the eldest of the five siblings.” On the other hand, Westerners would like to talk about their personal characteristics because they highlight how separate they are from other people and consider themselves unique individuals. Ex. “I am a good player.” INDIVIDUALISTIC SELF Through the process of introspection and reflection, man begins to search for clues as to the probable purpose of his existence and the role he plays in the general order of the things of the world. As a result of his introspection, he decides that since he has only one life to live and that death is inevitable, he should make the most of this life he was given. This is an example of a person manifesting his individualistic self.  He sees himself as being capable of living his own life, doing the things that he would love to do, making his own mistakes and learning from his experiences. He is aware of his rights and the limitations of his freedom in the extant society; he sets goals and works hard to achieve them. INDIVIDUALISM is a philosophy of life emphasizing the priority of the person's needs over the group. It is a preference for loosely knit social relationships that are caring for oneself and the family members only and the desire to be autonomous or independent from each other's influence. In an individualistic culture, the person gives priority to personal goals. Examples of individualistic cultures are the United States of America and Great Britain. TYPES Egoistical individualism – the idea that individual freedom is associated with self-interest and self-reliance Developmental Individualism – the idea that individual freedom is linked to human flourishing.  He knows that he is the one who will suffer the most if he wastes his chance to live a life that he and his family can be proud of. Something that would define him and inspire others that being in the world meant making it better not only for himself but also for others. COLLECTIVE SELF The identity of the individual is lost and does not exist except as a part of the group. The family and the society control how the group members should think, act and generally conduct themselves in society. It is observed that strong bonds of unity are formed and developed in collectivism.  In an extreme sense, all decisions made are group decisions. They are bound by the customs, beliefs and traditions by the group. Some examples of issues decided upon by the group are gender roles, marriage practices, and patriarchy. In such cases, individual freedom is sacrificed for the benefit of the group.  COLLECTIVISM - represents a preference for a tightly knit social framework in which a person can expect their family and other relatives of the social group to look after them in exchange for unquestioned loyalty. The loyalty of the family is highly stressed. in a collectivistic culture, there is a distinction between personal and group goals. However, if they make a distinction, collectivists minimize the personal goals to the collective good. Examples of collective cultures are Japan, China, Mexico, Korea, and Central America. The Philippines is considered a collective culture. Asian Philosophies and the Self CONFUCIUS was the name for which Kong Zhongni of China was known in the West. Born in the period of the Zhou dynasty in 551 BCE in the small state of Lu. He grew up poor even though he descended from a scholarly family. The Zhou dynasty was characterized by political, social, and moral disintegration in China. CONFUCIUS Through all of there unrest, Confucius’ family made sure that he received proper education. Through scholarly study, Confucius came to be known as ‘Master Kong’ and as ‘Great Sage and Teacher’ (Koller, 2007) His experiences in politics made him focus on social reforms. His philosophy came to be known as humanistic social philosophy. He considers society and its communities as the main source of values for both human beings and society in general. ▪ A code of ethical conduct, of how should properly act according to their relationship with other people, thus, it is also focused on having a harmonious social life. The identity and self-concept of the individual, therefore, is interwoven with the identity and status of his/her community or culture, sharing its pride as well as its failures (Ho 1995). ▪ Self-cultivation is seen as the ultimate purpose of life, but the characteristics of a chun-tzu, a man of virtue or noble character, is still embedded in his/her social relationships. ▪ The cultivated self in Confucianism is what some scholars call a “subdued self” wherein personal needs are repressed (subdued) for the good of many, making Confucian society also hierarchal to maintain order and balance in society. THE SELF IN CONFUCIAN THOUGHT Ren – the center of the philosophical concept of Confucianism which can be manifested through: 1. Li (propriety) 2. Xiao (filiality) 3. Yi (rightness) It can also be understood as human goodness  It involves feelings and thinking which serve as the foundation of all human relationships. Ren further signifies the Chinese culture’s emphasis on feelings (heart) as the most important instead of the head in human nature. 1. Li (propriety) – in order to guide human actions, rules of propriety should be followed. Such rules involve adherence to the rituals of the community. In connection with the Li, Confucius stated “ to master oneself and return to propriety is humanity”. 2. Xiao (filiality) – the virtue of reverence and respect for family. Parents should be revered for the life they have given. Children should show respect to their parents by exerting efforts to take care of themselves.  The family is a reflection of the person. How the person interacts socially and the values he emulates can all be traced back to his family environment. This forms the basis of the person’s moral and social virtue. 3. Yi (rightness)– the right way of behaving. It is unconditional and absolute. Actions must be performed and carried out because they are the right actions. Obedience to parents, for instance, is expected of children because it is morally right and obligatory to do so.  Confucius emphasized that actions should be performed because they are right and not for the selfish benefits that they provide. Li, Xiao, and Yi are virtues observed in a person whose humanity is developed, morally cultivated and aware.  Taoism ▪ Taoism (also called Daoism) is a religion and a philosophy from ancient China that has influenced folk and national belief. Taoism has been connected to the philosopher Lao Tzu, who around 500 B.C.E. wrote the main bible of Taoists’, the Tao Te Ching. Tao Te Ching (or Dao De Jing) - It is often associated with the teachings of Laozi (or Lao Tzu), a legendary figure attributed to the authorship of the foundational Taoist  Taoism ▪ Taoism holds that humans and animals should live in balance with the Tao, or the universe. However, Taoism rejects having one definition of what the Tao is, and one can only state clues of what it is as they adopt a free-flowing, relative, unitary, as well as paradoxical view of almost everything. ▪ It rejects the hierarchy and strictness brought by Confucianism and would prefer a simple lifestyle. Thus, its teachings aim to describe how to attain that life (Ho 1995). ▪ The self is not just an extension of the family or the community; it is part of the universe, one of the forms and manifestations of the Tao (Ho 1995). ▪ The ideal self is selflessness, but this is not forgetting about the self, it is living a balanced life with society and nature, being open and accepting to change, forgetting about prejudices and egocentric ideas, and thinking about equality, complementarity among humans as well as other beings (Ho 1995). ▪ In this way, you will be able to act spontaneously because you will not be restricted by some legalistic standards, since you are in harmony with everything. BUDDHISM ▪ Buddhism is one of the world’s largest religions. It originated in India in 563– 483 B.C.E. with Siddhartha Gautama, and over the next millennia it spread across Asia and the rest of the world. ▪ Buddhists believe that human life is a cycle of suffering and rebirth, but that if one achieves a state of enlightenment (nirvana), it is possible to escape this cycle forever. ▪ They do not believe in any kind of deity or god, although there are supernatural figures who can help or hinder people on the path towards enlightenment. ▪ Siddhartha Gautama was the first person to reach this state of enlightenment and was, and is still today, known as the Buddha. ▪ Siddhartha Gautama was an Indian prince in the fifth century B.C.E. who, upon seeing people poor and dying, realized that human life is suffering. He renounced his wealth and spent time as a poor beggar, meditating and travelling but ultimately, remaining unsatisfied, settling on something called “the Middle Way.” This idea meant that neither extreme asceticism or extreme wealth were the path to enlightenment, but rather, a way of life between the two extremes. Source: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/buddhism ▪ There are various groups who have adapted Buddhism; thus, you may find differences in their teachings, but most likely , their core concepts remained the same. ▪ The self is seen as an illusion, born out of ignorance, of trying to hold things, or human-centered needs, thus the self is also the source of all these suffering. It is therefore our quest to forget about the self, forget the cravings of the self, break the attachments you have with the world, and to renounce the self, which is the cause of all suffering, and in doing so, attain the state of Nirvana (Ho 1995). Confucianism and Taoism still situate the self within a bigger context. The person, in striving to be a better person, does not create a self above other people or nature, but a self that is beneficial to his/her community as well as in order and in harmony with everything else. As for Buddhism, the self, with all its connections and selfish ideas, is totally taken, not just out of the center of the picture, but out of the whole picture. Comparing West and East WESTERN EASTERN Always looking toward the Holistic approach – all events self in the universe are ex. interconnected and that you compare yourself so meditation and right living you can be better; are ways to search yourself. you create associations and bask in the glory of that group for your self-esteem; you put primacy in developing yourself.  WESTERN EASTERN Looks at the world in Sees the other person as part dualities (you are distinct of yourself as well as the from the other person, the things you may create, a creator is separate from the drama in which everyone is object he/she created, in interconnected with their which the self is distinguished specific roles (Wolter 2012). and acknowledged (Wolter 2012).  WESTERN EASTERN Americans, for example, talk Asian in general, would talk more about their personal about their social roles or attributes when describing the social situations that themselves. invoked certain traits that they deem positive for themselves (Gleitman et.al. 2011).  WESTERN EASTERN Americans, in terms of self- Asian in general, would rather evaluation, would highlight keep a low profile as their personal promoting the self can be achievements. seen as boastfulness that disrupts social relationships (Gleitman et.al. 2011). individualistic culture, since collectivistic culture, as the their focus is on the person group and social relations is given more importance than individual needs and wants.  WESTERN EASTERN By valuing the individual, Look after the welfare of they may seem to have their groups and values loose associations or even cooperation; more loyalty to their groups. compromising, and they tend to go around the bush in Competition is the name of explaining things, hoping that the game and they are more the other person would “feel” likely straightforward and what they really want to say forceful in their communication (Qingxue 2003). as well as decision making.  WESTERN EASTERN Emphasis is more on the value More emphasis on hierarchy – of equality even if they see as culture wants to keep things that the individual can rise in harmony and in order above everything else. (Qingxue 2003). Because everyone is on their own in the competition, one can say that they also promote ideals that create a “fair” competition and protect the individual.  WESTERN EASTERN Westerners would most likely They have respectful terms to call their boss, parents, or for our seniors and a lot of other seniors by their first workers would not dare go name. against the high ranking officials (Qingxue 2003). The boss can also be approached head-on when conflicts or problems about him/her arise.  It must be emphasized, however, that these are perceived general commonalities. In contemporary society, both the individualistic and collective self may exist in a single individual through: 1. Result of migration and influences and intermarriages between people of the East and the West. 2. Sharing of knowledge and the influx of information from mass media and social media. Theorizing the Filipino Self ▪ It has been a trend for colonized countries to “decolonize” their perspective in order to see themselves from their own social and cultural experience. The Philippines was not left behind by recent studies pushed forth by Pilipinolohiya by Prospero Covar, Pantayong Pananaw by Zeus Salazar, and Sikolohiyang Pilipino by Virgilio Enriquez. ▪ Utilizing tradition, native language and concepts, and even folklore, they uncovered a more context-appropriate perspective of looking at the self. With Sikololohiyang Pilipino, Enriquez described the Filipino “self” or personality as a “shared identity”, specifically connected to the concept of kapwa (Edman and Kameoka 2000; Pe-Pua and Protacio-Marcelino 2000). ▪ Accordingly, we place importance on values that promote cooperation and social acceptance, because we see the other person as fellow human beings and part of who we are (Edman and Kameoka 2000; Pe-Pua and Protacio- Marcelino 2000). That is also why we have concepts, such as hiya, utang na loob, and pakikisama, which reflect how we relate to others or want to be perceived by our kapwa. LESSON Research says that the sex chromosomes of humans define the sex and their secondary characteristics. From childhood, we are controlled by our genetic makeup. It influences the way we treat ourselves and others. Our society or the environment we live in also shapes us. Some people’s innate sexuality has been changed due to external factors. UNDERSTANDING HUMAN SEXUALITY Sexual selfhood is defined as how one thinks about himself or herself as a sexual individual. Human sexuality is a topic that just like beauty is culturally diverse. For the learner to be able to grasp it in its totality, he should be aware of the varied ways in which it can be understood. ▪ Human sexuality has been defined as how people experience and express themselves as a sexual being, as expected by a specific society. The study of human sexuality draws upon the scientific expertise of some anthropologists, biologists, medical researchers, sociologists, and psychologists who attest that human sexuality reflects biological capabilities, psychological characteristics, and social and cultural differences. In a way, human sexuality connotes gender role typing. Researches reveal that males and females generally do not differ in their gender roles, or the maleness and femaleness. Their sexual behaviors are shaped by attitudes, cultural traditions, and beliefs. ▪ Nevertheless, it is evident that males have stronger sex drives than females, although their differences are based on society’s discouragement of females’ sexuality rather than on male and female differences. ▪ It is evident that males think about sex more than females, not only due to the release of androgens in the testes but more than the hormones that motivate and produce sexual behavior. They may be objects, sights, smells sounds, and other stimuli that may lead to sexual excitement. ▪ Sex and sex-related behavior are influenced by social expectations, attitudes, beliefs, and biological knowledge. The generation in today’s society knows that sexual behavior has diverse forms. What was seen as unusual or unnatural and lewd is likely accepted.  At the start of puberty, changes that happen in the bodies of young males and females are both secondary and primary sexual changes. Secondary sexual changes are physical changes that distinguish males from females.  Secondary Sex Characteristics Male Female Voice becomes much lower Breasts enlarge (breaks) Hair growth on chest, face, Hair growth under arms and underarms, arms, legs and pubic area pubic area Increase in muscle size Hip widens Skin becomes oily and pores Skin becomes oily and pores enlarge enlarge  On the other hand. the primary sexual changes that happen during the course of puberty prepare the male and females body for procreation. These involve changes in the reproductive organs for these parts to attain functional maturity. Female's ovaries begin producing egg cells (ova) and the male's testicles begin producing live sperm cells (spermatozoa).  Primary Sex Characteristics Male Female Testes Ovaries Penis Fallopian tubes Scrotum Uterus Seminal vesicles and Vagina prostate glands THE EROGENOUS ZONES Erogenous Zones are areas of the body that are particularly responsive to tactile pleasurable parts. Erogenous zones may be primary erogenous zones and secondary erogenous zones. ▪ Primary erogenous zones pertain to areas that contain a thick concentration of nerve ending (genitals, buttocks, anus, nipples, the inner surface of the thighs, armpits, navel, neck, ears, lips, tongue, and entire oral cavities. ▪ Secondary erogenous zones include all other regions of the body. For instance, if one’s lover tenderly kissed and stroked the upper back of his partner during sexual interplay, that area can be transformed to an erogenous zone because they are touched in a context of sexual intimacies (Crooks & Baur, 2014). SEX AND GENDER Sex refers to the physical or physiological differences between males and females, including both the primary sex characteristics (the reproductive system) and the secondary characteristics, such as height and muscularity (Diamond 2002). Sex, therefore, is defined by the reproductive organs, including the cellular components, the chromosomes, and the hormones. There are three sex variations according to the Western Australian AIDS Council (2020): 1. Male is a person with a penis or the male reproductive organ, with XY chromosomes in his cells and the body is capable of producing high levels of testosterone. 2. Female is a person with the vagina or the female reproductive organ, with XX chromosomes, and is capable of producing high levels of estrogen. 3. Intersex is a person born with a sexual anatomy or chromosomes that do not fit the traditional definition of male or female. The person has a combination of reproductive sex organs, including internal sex organs, chromosomes, and hormones. According to Diamond (2002), gender refers to social or cultural roles played by males or females in society. Gender identity is the extent to which one identifies as being either masculine or feminine, or how someone feels on the inside (WAAC 2020). Gender expression describes how someone prefers to express his/her gender to the world. For instance, we have been accustomed to associating the color pink with girls and blue with boys; from childhood, we give dolls to baby girls, while trucks or plastic guns for baby boys. Men are sporty, while women are encouraged to use makeup, do hairstyle, and paint their nails. GENDER VARIATIONS (WAAC 2020) 1. Cisgender – a person identifying himself or herself with the sex assigned to them at birth. Ex. A person who was assigned as a male at birth and identifies as male or vice versa. 2. Transgender – gender identity does not match the sex that they were assigned at birth. Ex. A person who was assigned as a male at birth, but identifies as female, or vice versa. Some transgender people opt to undergo surgery or take hormones to align their physical body with what they identify with themselves. But not all transgender need to do such acts. Being transgender does not depend on the physical appearance or medical procedures. It may lie from within the person’s emotions and how he or she identifies himself or herself. Nowadays, there is an increasing number of individuals who identify themselves as gender fluid. Some claim that it is due to influence from peers, trauma from past experiences, and other environmental factors. 3. Gender fluid – a person whose gender is not fixed and/or shifts depending on the situation. These people do not feel the need to act according to the sex that they were assigned at birth and the associated traditional social roles. Sexuality pertains to the part of a person expressed through sexual activities and relationships. It is often represented through one’s feelings, sexual identity, and behaviors. Sexual identity is how a person chooses to describe or label his/her sexuality. There are many labels a person can choose: heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual, hypersexual, pansexual, and questioning among others. Heterosexual – a person who is attracted to people of the opposite sex. Homosexual – a person attracted to the people of the same sex. Bisexual – a person who is attracted to both genders (male and female) Asexual – a person having no sexual attraction (they do not experience sexual drives or attraction) Hypersexual - persons with an excessive interest in sex to the point where it can cause problems in one's life. Pansexual – a person’s attraction to multiple genders. Some may describe their attraction as based on chemistry rather than gender, but everyone is different. Questioning – some people may be unsure about their sexuality and/or are exploring it. Allies - are individuals who support and advocate for the rights and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people, even if they do not identify as LGBTQ+ themselves. Nowadays, sexuality is becoming more confusing for some. The list of sexuality labels expands; more labels are being added to the traditional qualification. There are three common aspects used to describe sexuality (WAAC 2020): 1. feelings and fantasies – these may include the center of the affection or the person we are attracted to and we are intimately connected with. 2. behaviors – expressed through any form of sexual contact as well as flirting. 3. identity – that corresponds to the label or description of someone’s sexuality. QUEER THEORY Queer Theory is a perspective that questions how we have been thought to think about sexual orientation. The proponents of the theory disagree with the idea of labeling and they embrace the term “queer” to describe their group. They do not adhere to the idea of dominant gender schema and the classification of sexual orientations into homosexual and heterosexual. They emphasize the need for a more flexible and fluid conceptualization of sexuality, one that will permit freedom, negotiation, and change (Little and McGivern 2020). Queer theorist Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick pointed out dozens of other ways in which people’s sexualities were different (Little and McGivern 2020). According to Sedgwick, even identical genital acts mean very different things to different people. Moreover, some people, whether homosexual, heterosexual, or bisexual, experience their sexuality as deeply embedded in the matrix of gender meanings and gender differentials, while others of each sexuality may not be expressing them in the same manner. People who belong to the queer group desires for more flexible way of expressing their sexuality. They want more freedom, yet a more inclusive environment where they could thrive in. BASIC SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 1. Masturbation or Solitary Sex Years ago some physicians reported that masturbation would lead to a variety of physical and mental disorders or insanity. Masturbation is sexual satisfaction. Men and women typically start to masturbate for the first time at different ages ranging from 5-21 years with the highest peak at 9-13 years for males and 12- 16 years for females (Feldman, 2014). Male masturbation is common in the early teens and then slows down, whereas females, begin to masturbate early with maximum frequency later. Masturbation or solitary sex is more often engaged to those who do not have sexual outlet, an idea that has no relation to reality. It was reported that married men age 20-40 usually masturbated 24 times a year whereas married women of the same age had it 10 times a year (Feldman, 2016). In-spite of the common practice of masturbation, attitudes toward masturbation are still negative. Some who practice this activity experience a feeling of guilt or consider themselves perverse. However, despite negative attitudes, most experts on sex look at masturbation as a healthy, legitimate and harmless sexual activity. In addition, masturbation is viewed as a means of knowing about one’s own sexuality and a way of discovering changes in one’s own body such as the occurrence of precancerous lump. 2. Heterosexuality Some people believe that the first time they experience a sexual act they have already reached significance in their lives. Heterosexuality, an attraction and behavior toward the other sex is far more than male and female sexual act, kissing, petting, caressing, necking and massaging, and other forms of sex play are parts of heterosexual behavior. 3. Premarital Sex Before, premarital sex particularly for women was a major taboo, generally in Filipino values. Traditional women were prohibited by society and the “nice girls” never do it. Men were more or less allowed to engage in premarital sex but they were advised to marry “virgins”. The idea that premarital sex is allowed for the males but not permitted for females is termed a double standard. In the 1960s, there was a dramatic change in the view of premarital sex. There seems a convergence of male and female attitudes and behavior toward premarital sex, but this did not end with the idea of the double standard. However, to the younger generations, the double standard had been replaced by “permissiveness with affection”. According to (De Gaton et.,al., 1996 & Hyde, 2006) as quoted by Feldman (2014), premarital sex is permissible to both males and females who have long-termed commitment or loving relationship. 4. Marital Sex Sex in marriage is the most standard and acceptable sexual behavior, and generally the gauge of wedded bliss. However, there are many various dimensions of how to measure marital happiness; to some frequency of sexual acts is the common standard. How often sexual acts are done, depends on particular couples. Some do it regularly, others have it a few times a month, and some have it 2-3 times a week. However, with increasing age and length of marriage, the frequency of sexual acts decreases. Yet it continues into late adulthood and the majority of these people engage in sexual acts at least 1 or 2 times a month but this is of high quality. 5. Extramarital Sex There are some researches that reveal about extramarital sex. Extramarital sex is a practice between a married person and someone who is not his/her spouse. This was said to be widely practiced although not exactly the reality because generally there is still a high percentage of married couples who are faithful to their spouses and there is a high degree of disapproval to this extramarital sex. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs) Sexually transmitted infections are diseases that are contracted primarily through sexual contact with an infected individual. Many STIs—including syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and HPV—can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth. It is an increasing health problem.  More than 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day worldwide, the majority of which are asymptomatic. Each year there are an estimated 376 million new infections with 1 of 4 curable STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. More than 3.7 billion people are estimated to have genital infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) (WHO, January 2022). Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with over 311,000 cervical cancer deaths each year.  Almost 1 million pregnant women were estimated to be infected with syphilis in 2016, resulting in over 350,000 adverse birth outcomes (3). STIs have a direct impact on sexual and reproductive health through stigmatization, infertility, cancers, and pregnancy complications and can increase the risk of HIV. Drug resistance is a major threat to reducing the burden of STIs worldwide. Source: World Health Organization (2022)  More Filipinos are getting infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) each day at a rate that is 21 percent higher in 2022 than in the previous year, the Department of Health (DOH) said. The DOH said the daily average of new HIV cases went up to 41 in 2022 from 34 in 2021, showing more Filipinos contracting the infection at a faster rate. Based on the December 2022 HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines report, there were a total of 14,970 new HIV cases detected between January and December 2022. The 2022 figure, the DOH said, is 2,631 cases higher than the 12,339 cases recorded in 2021.  The increase in total cases also pushed up the average number of people diagnosed with HIV a day. In 2022, the DOH said there were 4,377 people diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In 2021, there were only 3,871 AIDS cases diagnosed. Sexual contact remains the most common mode of HIV transmission in the 14,637 cases recorded in 2022. Of that number, 10,006 infections were acquired through male-to-male sex, 2,970 through heterosexual contact, and 1,661 cases through female intercourse.  The DOH also recorded 95 HIV infections acquired through sharing of infected needles, and 37 cases of mother-to-child transmission. There were 201 cases with no data on the mode of transmission. Metro Manila accounted for the majority of new HIV cases with 3,915, followed by Region 4A (Calabarzon) with 2,800 and Region 3 (Central Luzon) with 1,803. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/06/2242819/hiv-cases-21-2022# EXAMPLES OF STIs 1. HIV/AIDS HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus while AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV is a virus, while AIDS is a condition or syndrome. HIV can lead to infections that attack and destroy the CD4 (Tcell) of the immune system, which is the body's natural defense against such illnesses as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and cancer. HIV without treatment can lead to AIDS but not all cases of HIV develop AIDS. Only untreated HIV may lead to AIDS.  Presently, there is no effective cure for HIV. However, the condition can be controlled with proper medical care. The antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a combination of medications that are used to prevent HIV from replicating to protect the body against the virus and infection. However, ART is not a cure. It helps those with HIV to live longer and happier and lowers the risk of advancing the condition into AIDS. The number of CD4 cell counts can diagnose AIDS. A count of less than 200 cells/mm3 in the blood indicates AIDS, whereas a typical, healthy individual has around 500-1,600 cells/mm3 in a blood sample. When someone dies of AIDS, it is typically because they got sick with another type of disease or infection. The immune system is not strong enough to fight the infection.  According to a news article (news.abs-cbn.com) posted August 1, 2017, the Philippines has the highest HIV infection growth in Asia-Pacific as reported by the health ministry and the United Nation. In February 2022, there were 1,054 newly confirmed HIV-positive individuals reported to the HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP) and accounted for the total (96,266) reported cases since January 1984. Moreover, twenty-eight percent (297) had clinical manifestations of advanced HIV infection at the time of testing.  Ninety-five percent (1,006) of the reported cases were male, while 5% (48) were females. Of the total reported cases this period, 60% (630) were cisgender, 3% (35) were transgender women, and 25% (260) identified their gender as neither man nor woman. While 12%(129) do not have data on gender identity. Further, 50% (528) of the cases were 25-34 years old at the time of diagnosis, 30% (311) were 15-24 years old, 18% (188) were 35-49 years old, 2% (26) were 50 years and older, and