The Philippines has set a new Guinness World Record. DKT Health Inc., distributor of Premiere Condoms, and Watsons Philippines, together with LGBTIQ+ organization University of the Philippines (UP) Babaylan, earned the title for the “largest condom donation in one hour” during the “Protected & Proud” event held on 30 November at the UP Sunken Garden in Quezon City, ahead of the global observance of World AIDS Day on 1 December.

The donation drive and concert achieved a record-breaking 13,212 condoms, a figure validated on-site by Justin Patterson, an adjudicator from Guinness World Records.

“This is such a humbling moment — to be here the night before World AIDS Day with all of you, showing that we can normalize conversations about safe and pleasurable sex, about protecting ourselves, and about what communities can do when they come together,” said Denise van Dijk, president and chief executive officer of DKT Health Inc, who received the official plaque and certification alongside Joweeh B. Liao, director for the Health Business Unit, Finance, and Property Development at Watsons Philippines; and representatives of UP Babaylan, the event’s beneficiary.

“This event represents access. It means more people can get protection and support for their reproductive health. It is practical way to help Filipinos stay safe, informed and confident and we are proud to be part of that,” Liao said.

Given the rising rates of HIV infection in the country, Liao emphasized the responsibility that comes with Watsons’ scale: “There is a rapid rise in AIDS and other relevant diseases. Our stores are a very good and responsible platform. With more than one 1,200 branches, plus our online channels, we can share educational content and narratives that help curb the acceleration of this disease.”

“Protected & Proud” brought together advocates, students, artists and allies, and was guided by a dynamic roster of hosts: Sassa Gurl, Sophie Prime, Johan Kyle, Ice Neo, Nyel Estrada, David Yatco, Andy Marcelino, Alfy Bara and Miles Jewel Santos.

Adding depth to the event’s message, Yñigo Panghulan, Gender and Development Councilor of the UP Diliman University Student Council, offered a powerful call to action.

“Nakakalungkot ang buhay ng mga HIV and AIDS positive patients sa ating bansa dahil sa kakulangan sa healthcare institutions at edukasyon (It is heartbreaking to see the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS in our country, given the lack of healthcare institutions and proper education),” he said, pointing to systemic failures worsened by corruption. “Kapag may korupsyon, nababawasan ang pondo para sa accessible testing, nababawasan ang supply ng ARV, at humihina ang suporta para sa community-led interventions (When there is corruption, funding for accessible testing is reduced, the supply of ARVs diminishes, and support for community-led interventions weakens).”

The event was held on the same day as the protest rally against government corruption and the commemoration of the birth anniversary of revolutionary Andres Bonifacio.

Panghulan reminded the audience that each lost peso has human cost: “Bawat pangungurakot ay katumbas ng isang tao na hindi nakapag-test, hindi nakaka-access ng treatment, o hindi nakakakuha ng tamang impormasyon (Every act of corruption means one more person who cannot get tested, cannot access treatment, or cannot receive proper information).”

Yet, he also underscored the strength of collective action: “Ang presensya natin ay patunay na hindi natin hinahayaan na ito ang maging trajectory ng HIV-AIDS sa ating bansa (Our presence here is proof that we refuse to let this become the trajectory of HIV-AIDS in our country).”

Breaking stigma through music and advocacy

Music brought the advocacy to life, with an impressive lineup of performers electrifying the Sunken Garden: Maki, Maxie Andreison, Stef Aranas, Dwta, Jtea Xpress, Leyo, Kumare Harvey, Silas Baby, DJ Ayel Marie, House of Brent, Young Coacoa, Dom Guyot, Sean Archer and Sassme.