Fighting HPV

The infection has been on the scene for a long time, but we learned about its existence and fatal effects at the Bulong Pulungan sa Sofitel only the other day. This is the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV, which is actually the most common sexually transmitted infection in both men and women.

Three health experts told journalists and women’s health advocates that HPV infection does not show symptoms, and while most people are able to clear HPV, persistent infection can lead to various diseases. HPV causes virtually 100 percent of cervical cancer cases. In the Philippines, 12 Filipino women die from cervical cancer each day. Worldwide, 493,243 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. Worldwide, an estimated 32,000,000 new cases of genital warts caused by HPV occur each year.

Aside from cervical cancer, we were told, HPV is also implicated in other diseases and cancers in both men and women, including genital warts, cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, and anus, as well as head and neck cancers.

Providing us the above data were Dr. Dorothy Sia-Cu, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology; Dr. Efren Domingo, a specialist in obstetrics, gynecology, and oncology, and Danny Casimiro, PhD, director of Biology-discovery vaccines-research of Merck Sharp & Dohme (I.A.) Corp.

While genital warts, which usually appear as a small bump or groups of bumps in the genital area, they might just go away, but they do not turn into cancer. But HPV causing cervical cancer can be fatal, if not prevented.

Genital HPV is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, most often during penetrative genital contact (vaginal or anal sex). It is also transmitted through oral-genital, manual-genital, and genital-genital contact. But sexual intercourse is the most common mode of transmitting infection, and to avoid infection, we were advised by Dr. Domingo and Dr. Sia-Cu, to abstain from sexual contact. The sexually active may use condoms with every sex act, as they may lower the risk of developing HPV-related diseases such as genital warts and cervical cancer. But, warned Dr. Domingo, HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom, so condoms may not fully protect a person against HPV.

For a number of years now, the Garadasil-quadrivalent HPV has been in the market to protect males and females against some of the most common types of HPV. The vaccine is given in three shots, like, say, one shot to be followed the next month with another shot, and then followed by a third shot on the third month. Dr. Sia-Cu said the vaccine is most effective when given before a person’s first sexual contact, when he or she could be exposed to HPV.

Mothers are advised to have their daughters as young as 12 years old given what are called “bivalent and quadrivalent” HPV vaccines against HPV types 1 and 18, the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. The quadrivalent HPV vaccine which helps protect males against most genital warts, can be given to boys and men, 9 through 26 years of age.

The forum was fortunate to have as resource person, Danny Casimiro, who is the only Filipino in a team of more than a thousand scientists to be engaged in the development of the HPV vaccine for Merck Sharp & Dohme. MSD’s promotion of the HPV vaccine is in line with its dedication “to delivering more innovative health solutions through its medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer and animal products.”

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An exciting painting exhibit currently going on at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (beside the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas building on Roxas boulevard) is the “Claudio Bravo: Sojourn in Manila,” which opened Tuesday to coincide with Chile’s 202nd National Day celebration.

The exhibition shows Bravo’s works produced during his stay in Manila in 1968. These works the Chilean artist described as his “most lucid paintings, because it was a different race — beautiful! . . . a different vision of the world and of light.”

Bravo was born in Valparaiso, Chile in 1936 and passed away last year in Taroudant, Morocco. He perfected his portraitures, and gained recognition for his technical virtuosity and hyper-realistic style. It didn’t take long before he became a sought-after portraitist among social circles.

Oscar M. Lopez, chairman emeritus of Energy Development Corp. says, “In those portraits, in the glamour and spirit of the personalities he depicted, one cannot but sense the optimism, confidence, vitality and sense of pride, but also the innocence, that characterized the Philippines, and the Manila, of the 1960s.”

Chairman Lopez has a special attachment to Chilean arts and culture, heading as he does, the world’s second largest integrated geothermal company that is focusing on exploration projects and securing new service contracts in Chile. EDC has been awarded three geothermal exploration concessions by the Chilean Ministry of Energy.

Ambassador Roberto Mayorga of the Embassy of Chile says, “We are totally convinced that, along with diplomatic, political and economic relationships, cultural links are fundamental to build bridges of understanding and unity among nations. “

The Claudio Bravo exhibition will run until Oct. 20. The exhibit will be accompanied by several activities. On September 22, William Gaudinez and Rafael del Casal will do portrait sketching with accomplished Filipinos as sitters. On September 29, Cid Reyes will speak on “Still Life” and demonstrate drawings and paintings involving objects often used by Bravo in his drawings. On October 2, drapery sketches, one of the most exquisite creations of Bravo, will features leading stylists in a draping exercise which will be followed by a sketching session of the styled models. Tats Manahan will discuss the life and art of Claudio Bravo with emphasis on his connection to the Philippines on October 6.

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Earthdance Festival to be held at Arts in the City, Global City on September 23, from 9 a.m. to midnight, will be a festival of art and cultural activities, local and international music, dance and rituals, eco bazaar and environmental, health and healing workshops. Earthdance is the largest synchronized music event for peace, held in 350 locations and 65 countries around the world, including the Philippines.

“On its 5th year in the Philippines, Earthdance spreads environmental awareness and global unity, as well as aims to inspire collective collaboration towards building a culture of peace while acting locally to support humanitarian causes and deliver real solutions for peace, sustainability, environmental awareness and social justice” says Rosanna Escudero, Earthdance Manila chair/ founder.

“This year we’re inviting people to dance their way to a cleaner Philippines. Earthdance Manila 2012 festival aims to inspire a change of heart, mindset and behavior, to make every Filipino care for Mother Earth lifestyle, and to collectively move the nation towards a litter-free Philippines,” junk,” says Zonito Torrevillas Tamase”, Earthdance Manila co,chair.

For an all-day-pass of P200 participants can join activities on a first-come, first- served basis, There will be spiritual learnings, farming activities like composting, biodynamic farming and urban gardening, among others.

This project is spearheaded by the Dolphy Aid Para sa Pinoy Foundation in collaboration with Earthdance Network, the Climate Change Commission of the Philippines, Earth Day Network Philippines, Eco Waste Coalition, TV5 Alagang Kapatid Foundation and LBC Express and LBC Foundation.

Proceeds will go the Project Rainbow-”Litter-Free Philippines/Basura sa Basurahan”. To register, visit website www.earthdancemanila.com

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