Liwanag, Manuel Ariel; Nenita L. Ortega; Jose NMC Sescon
Names Project Quilt Phils; Kaagapay Support Groups for PLWHAs, Manila Philippines

CLOTH, THIMBLES, NEEDLES AND THREADS:
THE FILIPINO AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT EXPERIENCE

ISSUE:

Quilts are very western in culture. Filipino people could not readily relate to such kind of art. In many countries both developed and developing the AIDS Memorial Quilt is one way of educating the people about HIV and AIDS and it shows the enormity of the epidemic.

METHODOLOGY:

Quilt panels were designed and sewn together by friend, families and livers of those who passed on with AIDS. Most of those who volunteered to sew the panels were HIV positive individuals with the help of committed NGO workers.  The group started from nothing just ideas and the willingness and dedication to produce the Quilts. From nothing, the panels have now grown from 4 to more than a hundred now. The group started sewing the panels in 1997.

RESULT:

The Filipino AIDS Memorial Quilt serves as the advocacy and AIDS education tool of the Names Project Philippines. Anyone who sees the panel prompts them to do an action as it dramatizes the enormity of the epidemic and humanizes the Filipino AIDS effect as well. The Quilt has made a round and international tour of AIDS Memorial Quilt display. While it was not given importance and good display area in one of the conferences, it did in other conferences calling attention of other Filipinos to do their share in preventing further spread of HIV, thus complementary to the overall goal of the Philippines Health Department. As the panels grow in number, the more Filipino people feel the impact and effects of AIDS on the community.