Blowin the whistle on HIV/AIDS via Project Commit

Four years ago, professional photographer Niccolo Cosme discovered that his friend had HIV. There and then, he realized the need to do more in raising awareness on the issue, but in a novel way.

Using his profession and Facebook as come-ons, Cosme held his first ever Project Headshot Clinic. Here, he took photos of participants for free so long as they use it as their profile pictures on their Facebook account. After the photo sessions, Cosme and his group gave a brief seminar to educate them about HIV and AIDS. In return, participants are required to spread the word to their friends.

TO COMMIT, NOT JUST TO BE AWARE

“With Project Headshot, we give importance to your profile pictures on Facebook. It works like an online billboard, its merging profile pictures with advertising and my advocacy. Imagine if you have a thousand friends on FB, and you can now track how many people are viewing you and liking your posts. I felt that that was the best way to promote the cause. In a way, it’s also making them little ambassadors of their communities,” explains Cosme, 31.

While anyone can join, not everyone can get in. Cosme says people must first fulfill some requirements.

“We screen them on their knowledge on the issue, ask them for their commitment and what they can do to help. They must also have a large number of friends on FB. We're also interested in the ideas that they have because at the end of the day, that’s what they’ll be talking about with their friends,” he points out.

Because of its success, Project Headshot Clinics have become an annual event. This year, he didn’t only manage to find sponsors for the Nov. 20 clinic but also attracted participants who were more dedicated to the advocacy.

“This year, the theme for Project Headshot was to commit because it’s not enough anymore to be aware. It’s a realization on our end that people are aware but lack commitment in all aspects. I know stories of the condom being just right in their closet but the commitment to use it isn’t there. It’s just all talk, it may be there in their minds and hearts but the commitment to do or practice it, is not there,” he stresses.

SOUNDING THE ALARM

In May, Cosme decided to take his advocacy to the next level as AIDS-related deaths have increased. What made matters worse is the fact that he knew most of these people who perished from AIDS. Some were friends, others were acquaintances.

Inspired by a friend’s red whistle which is being used in disaster preparedness campaigns, Cosme saw the need to create his own national response to the alarming cases of HIV and thus formed the The Red Whistle organization.

“The Red Whistle is not too different from disaster preparedness campaigns. There is a silent disaster happening. While it’s not like the typhoon disasters which we readily see, the battle against HIV is silent, an invisible disaster because people who are diagnosed with it, especially their families, keep it to themselves."

"Red Whistle is a good campaign to counter that silence because it's something that makes noise. Through this, we're hoping to ignite and empower more people to start their own causes on HIV and AIDS," shares Cosme.

BLOWING THE WHISTLE

The Red Whistle has partnered with various sectors and organizations, among them, the Take the Test organization. In September, Cosme linked up with fashion designer friends and held an auction of designer dresses to raise funds for Red Whistle. The proceeds will be used to fund their programs.

On Dec. 1, The Red Whistle`s first television commercial was also launched on Star World and Channel V in observance of World AIDS Day. Produced in cooperation with TBWA ad agency, the TVC will have celebrity advocates such as Boy Abunda, Gretchen Barreto, Rico Blanco, and Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago proudly wearing the red whistle and spreading the message.

Other activities in celebration of World AIDS Day include an exhibition of the latest Project Headshot Clinic photos at Greenbelt 5 in Makati which happened on Dec. 5, and a music festival at the Metro Walk, Ortigas on Dec. 9. The music fest which is in partnership with Channel V, will have 50 bands playing for free. Cosme says about 2,000 people are expected to come and blow the whistle altogether at the same time that day.

He adds that part of the activities is the giving away of safety and pleasure kits to the public. The kits, containing a red whistle, condom and a lubricant, carry the message that being safe can also be pleasurable.

"Some people are still in a denial stage that many are having sex now. That's why we see the need to enlighten them about things. We're hoping that through our campaign, we can have behavioral change. We want people to openly talk about sex because openly talking about it will lead to seeing the need for protection and hopefully getting tested," he says.

For Cosme, it's all about saving lives.

"Whenever people hear the facts, they get shocked. But we don’t want to scare people, we just want to inspire and empower them to do something. Because there is no cure for HIV, we believe that you can be the cure. It starts from you. If you protect yourself then it won't penetrate you. At the same time, the cure for stigma also starts with you. If you start showing care and respect, and not fear towards people living with HIV, then you are being part of the solution," ends Cosme.

By RACHEL C. BARAWID