• HARRY

  Condom user

• "The right to protect yourself."

"If you can't be good, be careful."

It was simple advice -- short and succinct, given by a father to his son, but it was advice that nonetheless made a lasting impression on Harry. He had "the talk" with his father when he was in high school."He said I should know what's out there [in terms of health risk and unwanted pregnancies] and protect myself," he recalls.

Harry's experience underscores the importance of parents taking an active role in equipping their children with knowledge to make informed choices and responsible decisions.

"From then on, I thought it was no big deal to use a condom. I always thought of it as being the right and responsible thing to do.", says Harry who isn't squeamish about using protection.

"Of course, it's always better to be in a monogamous relationship and be faithful. But the reality is, some people can't do that.   In that case, you should at least be careful," says Harry echoing his father's lesson of simple pragmatism.

WANT TO HELP? SPOT.ph steers you to organizations who are doing their share for AIDS awareness and prevention:

• Remedios AIDS Foundation
• Provides sexual and reproductive health information, education and communication (IEC) programs.
• Address: 1066 Remedios Street, Malate, Manila
• Tel. No.: 524-0924/ 524-4831
• E-mail: reme1066@pldtdsl.net

• Positive Action Foundation Philippines, Inc. (PAFPI)
• An organization that is devoted into helping those Person Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and their families in coping with their situation involving the HIV/AIDS virus.They have various programs and projects that support the national advocacy, prevention and education of HIV/AIDS, care, support and treatment.
• Address: 2613 Dian St., Malate, Manila
• Tel. No.: 404-2911
• E-mail: positiveactionfoundation@yahoo.com

• Pinoy Plus Association
• E-mail: pinoy_plus@yahoo.com

Photographs by Mitch Mauricio. Styling and art direction by Alcs Porras. Make-up by Ana Santos. Hair by Ruel Papa of L'Oreal Professionnel Paris. Shot on location in Victoria Court, Pasig. DKT Philippines, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) have supported this campaign.