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Whatever Happened To Luigi

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If you happen to visit this blog and read about Luigi’s story (see the following links here – Alternative Lifestyle, So Young, Chatroom, AIDS Advocacy) you’d probably wonder how he is now or his present state of health.

Luigi and I have been in touch for a time. We were connected through Facebook. Yesterday, I saw his status dated March 5 and feel deeply saddened by what he said in it. He is not feeling well (again) caused by his compromised immune system. He lacks enough sleep and barely eats because he vomits a lot.

His status tells a lot about what he feels and what young people need to know about being responsible individuals. Please read on:

When my time comes, please never idolize me. Include me in your prayers. Go back to the living God. Be good and repent for the sins we commit.

More than a month of not sleeping well, 2-4 hrs of sleep for the past 10 days. I have been vomiting and can’t eat for the past 2 days.

I just want to say farewell to all of you. My previous post was deleted by a friend with my request to protect my family but I believe it is my purpose to share it so I am posting it again to encourage everyone to look at their lives and to go back to God.

For the youth, especially the Filipino youth, live in simple ways and stay away from sins and evil things like drugs and sex. Do not do what I did. Enrich your soul. Always talk to Him in spirit.

This day, March 5th marks the 6th year of me receiving a news from a partner that I have to get tested for HIV, which came back positive. Please do not be stigmatized (which some of you may do). I am asking for understanding that I do commit mistakes.

I am sharing this so that our young people will somehow learn from me. Stay away from temptations and evil things. Always pray. Read the Bible and seek for its understanding. Don’t be like me who is a risk taker. We do commit mistakes but never let it happen again and again.

The Almighty Father has a plan for everyone. I am trying to accept and live mine. He is great and I believe he has mercy.

For God so love the world that he give his only begotten son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but live an eternal life. (John 3:16).

It was nice knowing you all. I am planning to go home to my province soon and might not be on FB anymore though my friend knows my account.

I want to take this opportunity to say sorry for those I have done wrong. Hugs!

I wish to make a follow-up story about his present condition, but will have to ask his permission again.

UPDATE:

More than three years after the interview above, I checked on Luigi’s FB account and I learned that he is in the US now. He looks healthy and living on his own.

So young

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( This is a compilation of Luigi’s  interviews in 2006. I wish the readers will get something from his life story.  Warning: some words may be too graphic.)

“Eyeball, anyone? Send a picture. No picture, no reply.”

Luigi, 19, Nursing student, replied to this naughty invitation on the Internet chatroom and ended up having intimate relationship with his 20th chatmate. The steamy eyeball threatens to be his last as Argo — his latest cyber boy toy — has infected him with HIV.

Luigi says he started chatting on the Internet at 16, and has had sex with 20 chatmates.

“High school pa lang, exposed na ako sa kung saan-saang forum, discussion rooms sa Internet,” Luigi said, adding that even elementary students posed nude or masturbated while chatting.

Luigi was only 16 when he lost his virginity to an elderly chatmate who forced him into sex.

“Sa forum pa lang, may invititation na for orgies,” Luigi said.

Chatmates usually have sex eyeballs at parties, malls, movie houses, saunas and locker rooms of popular gyms in Metro Manila.

Luigi admits having joined orgies with straight and married men.

“Straight guys would prefer quick sex with homosexuals than women due to availability. Sa ngayon, ’di ka basta-basta makikipag-sex sa babae, mahirap… compare mo sa lalaki… Parang you know, for curiosity, for experience. Hindi kasi lahat ng oras available ang mga babae,” he said.

Luigi is considered the youngest among sexually-active individuals who got infected with HIV this year.

Four hundred fifty-seven of the reported AIDS cases to the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) of the Department of Health (NEC-DOH) were infected through homosexual contact. At least four of them, including Luigi, were reported only last April.

The Philippine AIDS Registry tallied a total of 2,499 HIV/AIDS cases since 1984, 67 percent of whom are between 20 and 39 years old.

Luigi’s story hopes to drum up support from stakeholders to include sex education and the deadly consequences of irresponsible sex.

Luigi began posting HIV/AIDS information when he first tested negative for HIV late last year.

“December pa lang, nagpu-post na ako ng information about HIV/AIDS/STI. Nag-increase ang awareness ko nang magpa-test ako,” he noted.

Luigi was glad to know that a number of forum members appreciate his effort to disclose such sensitive information about himself.