Moments That Shape the Story
A look into the lives of those who move humanity forward. Across generations and beliefs, their choices ignite change, sometimes through quiet acts of courage, sometimes through moments that redefine entire communities. Follow the forces of compassion, conviction, resistance, and renewal as they shape our shared story. This is a view into the leaders, forerunners, and everyday figures whose lives illuminate shifting values, rising voices, and the enduring spirit behind the human journey.
MANILA, Philippines — At the sidelights of the grand mediacon for the movie Call Me Mother, an entry to the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival, John “Sweet” Lapus offered words of advice to younger LGBTs who are deeply affected by the HIV crisis.
He also gave his impassioned response to the polarizing statements of LGBT icons, Hair Majesty Mother Ricky Reyes and Philippines Fashion Ambassador to the World Mama Renee Salud, and sent a sweet message to LGBT youth who may have been harmed with these “old-school” opinions.
ON WORLD AIDS DAY
According to the Department of Health, the Philippines has the fastest-growing number of HIV cases in the Asia-Pacific region. By June 2025, at least 57 Filipinos have found out they have HIV, or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), making individuals more vulnerable to infections and diseases.
The number of new HIV cases, as per the DOH, went up by 550% from 4,400 in 2010 to 29,600 in 2024. Around 252,800 Filipinos are estimated to be living with HIV as of 2025. If HIV is left untreated, it can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), a condition where the immune system is severely damaged.
To reverse the rising trend of HIV cases, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed their support to the DOH request for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sign an executive order that would officially declare HIV a high-priority public health concern, requiring urgent action from all levels of government and society.
In the first quarter of 2025, UNAIDS, WHO and the DOH expressed alarm that a third of newly diagnosed HIV cases are among young Filipinos aged 15 to 24 years. They will need to be on treatment for the rest of their life.
Lapus plays Mama M, the “mother” of Vice Ganda’s character Mother Twinkle, who is a queer who wants to be the “mother” of the biological child of Mara de Jesus (played by Nadine Lustre).
“As we celebrate World AIDS Day, for the nth time, I appeal to the Gen Zs, the millennials, and to the young people out there to please practice safe sex. It is not wrong to be sexually active, but as long as you practice safe sex,” said Lapus, 52. “And you are very lucky that there are so many forms of how to do safe sex. There are condoms, contraceptives, etc. If you can't stop yourself, just be careful, please.”
Lapus continued: “That is really very important. One, AIDS is used as a stigma, so it should not be. It should be part of our daily conversation. It is not something to fear about, but something to be talked about. So, everybody can have it. It is there. So, all you have to do is to accept it, be prepared, and avoid it by making sure that we do safe sex.
“At the end of the day, yes, masarap ang sex. Sino bang hindi nasasarapan sex? But, you know, mas masarap to have sex sa taong mahal mo. So, I think that is really very important as well. To make sure that you make love to someone that you love.”
