Pia Wurtzbach: Taboos on sex, misinformation lead to rise of HIV/AIDS cases in PHL

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach is aware that people see her external beauty first. 

But in an interview with advocacy group amfAR published on May 18, she said that "as a 'pretty face' who’s wearing a crown", she has the chance to "reel people in" and then "hit them with a message."

Wurtzbach said that government officials should address bigger problems like human trafficking and the rampant drug use that leads to needle sharing. The public, on the other hand, needs to have access to correct information about HIV/AIDS and what safer sex means. 

The beauty queen believes that opening up conversation about taboo topics like sex and sexual transmitted infections (STIs) could help improve awareness—and awareness is the first line of defense against any disease.

"To improve understanding, more people need to talk about it. And that’s exactly what I’m doing," she said.

"I am definitely not an expert but I'm slowly starting to learn, and I still ask questions. Everyone needs to be educated, including advocates, so that we may spread the message more clearly and accurately," she added.

Wurtzbach noted that in the Philippines, talking about sex is taboo.

"In addition to boredom and lack of education which often leads young people to take drugs, the Philippines is a very conservative, Catholic country; no one ever talks about sex. It is considered taboo to even ask your parents about sex. When young people are held back from learning, they start to struggle and explore and make mistakes. So I think that’s why it’s hitting the younger generation more now," Wurtzbach added. 

According to the Department of Health, there were 736 new cases of HIV infection in March 2016. Their data shows that from one diagnosis per day, the number has jumped to 22 by September 2015.

"A steep increase in cases among youth was seen in 2008, wherein the total number of cases (111) is 171% higher than that in 2007 (41)," the report read, noting that the age group with the biggest portion of HIV cases has changed from 30 to 39 years old from 2005 to 2009 to a younger 20 to 29 years old from 2010 to 2015.

Out of the 28,428 cases recorded from January 1984 to September 2015, 14,458 were from the 25 to 34 year old age group. A smaller but nonetheless alarming 7,536 cases were from the 15 to 24 year old age group.

The lack of information on sex and how to protect themselves has also contributed to the rising number of teen pregnancies in the country.

According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released in February 2016, one in 10 Filipinas between the ages of 15 and 19 is already a mother or is pregnant with their first child.

"We need to abandon once and for all the idea that leaving young people in ignorance is going to stop them from having sex or that talking about it is going to make them have sex," UNFPA Asia-Pacific regional director Yoriko Yasukawa said.

Through the Miss Universe organization, Wurtzbach has been working with several advocacy groups.

On her personal Twitter account, she's been a vocal supporter of LGBT rights. —Aya Tantiangco/KG, GMA News