Reflection of the Second Batch On

REFLECTION OF THE SECOND BATCH ON

PASTORAL TRAINING ON HIV AND AIDS

By Rembrandt P. Santos

Delegate of St. Scholastica’s College, Manila

What will you do if someone you love gets HIV or AIDS?

That was the question that kept running on the minds of Catholic Educators when they participated in a Pastoral training on HIV and AIDS held last August 17-19, 2011 at the Meralco Management and Leadership Development Center in Antipolo. It was organized by the Philippine Catholic HIV and AIDS Network in cooperation with the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP)to educate school administrators and faculty of different Catholic schools in the country. The main reason is the rise of HIV/AIDS’ cases among the 15-24 age group, who might also be students in our Catholic schools. It is such an urgent matter that Catholic schools are also tasked to educate the young for the prevention of HIV and AIDS.

There were 9 schools that participated in what was already the second opportunity to train educators in dealing with HIV and AIDS. Along with the Philippine Catholic HIV and AIDS Network and CEAP, there were other groups responsible for this workshop. The Philippine National AIDS Council, Department of Health, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)- National Secretariat for Social Action-Justice and Peace (NASSA)and the Woodwater Center for Healing of the Missionaries of the Infirm.

CEAP entering in the picture meant further education to where some of the “at risk population” are, that is, in Catholic schools.

This pastoral training touched the core of the Church’s mission to minister to those who are afflicted with the virus and who are discriminated because of it. After all, even if we are educators, we have our own share of biases and limited knowledge regarding HIV and AIDS. In fact, embarrassing as it may sound, in the pre-test conducted among the participants, a number thought that HIV and AIDS can be transmitted just by shaking hands.

The first day saw many of the participants struggling with the concepts of HIV and AIDS. Certainly, we have many ideas about it but there were some shocking terminologies that left one nun blushing. We had our share of laughter too and yes, those different kinds of clap kept us on our toes. We knew we were into something when ideas collided in the “Tree-making workshop” that dwells on the causes and effects of HIV and AIDS. But as one of our facilitators, Rev. Dan Cancino of the Missionaries of the Infirm would always say “Hold on to your horses” asking the group that there would be sessions for clarifications and inquiries. Suffice it to say, that on the second day, we were indeed enlightened, what with the “Wildfire” session living up to its’ name and the momentous encounter with People Living With HIV or AIDS (PLWHIV/AIDS).

The Wildfire was an attempt to make the participants feel what it is like to have HIV and AIDS. The group was divided into two groups. One with Rev. Dan Cancino,MI and the other with Bro. John Jay Magpusao,MI. It was a “simulated immersion” and many of the participants went through the process of being infected with HIV and AIDS. For many, it was a turning point where what is in our heads met with what is in our hearts. Thus, the question posed at the beginning of this reflection was felt more, “What will you do if someone you love got HIV or AIDS?”. Then another daring question confronted all of us who participated which got us into thinking,”What will you do if you have HIV and AIDS?”

This question got our attention. And it stayed a little longer until we met two people living with HIV. Their names will not be mentioned for confidentiality purposes as protected by Republic Act 8504.

The two PLWHIV narrated their experiences regarding the virus and the stigma society has attached to it. From the fear of the unknown, to undergoing different rejections as well as experiencing acceptance in a society engulfed with discrimination due to plain ignorance or “uneducated moralism”, the two brave PLWHIV opened our eyes regarding the difficulties one face and the help available once infected with HIV and AIDS.

One of the participants realized that as a Catholic teacher, he has to find Christ in his neighbor including the PLWHIV/AIDS. Another shared that “regardless of the cause of contracting HIV and AIDS, these people need help”. But there was a consensus among the participants that as educators, “we have the social and moral responsibility to bring the realities of the virus to our students because they could be unsuspecting victims.

We were all surprised because the two PLWHIV who were talking in front of us were part of the facilitators since Day 1. We did not have a clue that they were infected because they look like anyone of us. And that was a powerful lesson learned from experience. The lesson is that PLWHIV/AIDS can look as healthy as those of us who don’t have it. We learned that PLWHIV/AIDS should not be judged because of what they have. We should stop the stigma because it becomes the reason for the unjust discrimination PLWHIV/AIDS experience.

At the end of the session with PLWHIV, most of us went to the two of them, shook their hands and some even gave them a warm embrace. We know better now. We would not get infected just by touching them. Talking with the two people with HIV made us realize how one’s weakness could be turned into strength. On how they are saving a lot of lives by putting a face on the virus, by educating others on the prevention of HIV and AIDS even if it makes them relive the painful experiences they encountered upon learning they have the deadly virus.

Through this encounter, we were inspired to do our part as Catholic Educators, knowing fully well that most of our high school and college students are at the “most at risk population”. We have to empower the young to think about their dignity as human persons. They have to be informed that sex, drugs and alcohol are not necessary to feel good about themselves.

The third day brought us to different case studies on what we will do when we go back to our respective schools. Ms. Jo of the CBCP-NASSA informed the group about the many programs the Catholic Church has been doing to provide pastoral care for PLWHIV/AIDS and to cooperate with other groups to prevent the spread of this deadly virus. The talk made us feel proud to be Catholics because the Church was one of the first institutions who responded to this battle against HIV/AIDS. In fact, the Catholic Church in the Philippines came up with two pastoral letters regarding the care for those infected with HIV and AIDS, one in January 1993, the other in July 2011. When we heard about it, we knew that the Church is truly involved in taking care of PLWHIV/AIDS.

We celebrated the mass to thank God for this significant workshop which empowered us to do something to prevent HIV and AIDS from further spreading. The workshop team was composed of Rev. Dan Cancino, MI, Bro. John Magpusao, MI and the registered social worker, Ms. Girlita Enrera of the Woodwater Center for Healing. They worked with Ms. JO of the CBCP-NASSA and Ms. Mary Ann of CEAP to make this workshop a success. As they have said, if you educate one person, you are already saving one life. We will carry that thought with us as we educate our own students about HIV and AIDS.

As we return to our schools and discuss with our administrators, it is our fervent hope that we become advocates of this cause. The cost of saving lives will outweigh all the struggles we may encounter in having this advocacy. The challenge is now in our hands.