DONOR:
Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF)
NAME OF GRANT:
CODE Strategies Project:
Community-Led Online and Digital Engagements to Reduce HIV Prevalence and Advance Equity among LGBTQI+ in Asia-Pacific
PRINCIPAL RECIPIENT:
APCOM Foundation
SUB RECIPIENT:
HIV & AIDS Support House (HASH), Philippines
The Philippines has one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in Asia-Pacific, concentrated among young MSM. testMNL pairs HASH’s community-based screening and self-testing services with a vibrant digital campaign to drive testing and PrEP uptake in Metro Manila.
Introduction / About the project:
testMNL is the Philippines country campaign of the CODE Strategies project, implemented by the HIV & AIDS Support House (HASH), a community-led organisation in Metro Manila. Launched in August 2024 with a newly hired community team, testMNL blends stock-photo shoots with community models, social media campaigns, on-the-ground mobilisations and formal city partnerships.
The campaign’s reach has been remarkable: over 536,000 people reached and 542,000 engaged on social media in its first quarter alone. In April–June 2025, HASH tested 4,047 people (92 reactive), and in October–December 2025 conducted 2,713 HIV tests through community-based screening and self-test kits.
Project Objectives / Goals:
- Reduce HIV infections among young LGBTQI+ people and key populations through digital demand generation.
- Strengthen community capacities to lead online awareness, advocacy, and person-centred health approaches.
- Widen availability and accessibility of community-led HIV prevention tools such as PrEP, HIV testing, and person-centred care.
- Increase the agency of LGBTQI+ communities to report human rights violations and influence policy responses.
Activities:
- Creation of testMNL’s campaign identity: two photoshoots with fourteen community models, 66 promotional items, and tailored messaging co-designed with the PH LGBTQIA+ community.
- Digital campaigns including #GetTested, #PrEPtected, #fromPilltoPower and a week-long #TDOV (Transgender Day of Visibility) push.
- On-the-ground mobilisations: #PopUP-PrEP bar activations (e.g. HOESIK, Makati), campus outreach at FEU and UP Diliman, and Pride campaigns.
- City-level partnerships: MOUs with SAIL Makati and SAIL Caloocan, agreement with HRPEC following an Electoral Forum, community-based screening training with PANTAY, and a MoU with Positibong Paigunio at the Pasig Trans Youth Summit.
- Community-based screening and self-testing with data encoded in the HASH laboratory information system, ensuring linkage to PrEP and treatment.
Partners:
Sail Makati, SAIL Caloocan, HRPEC, PANTAY, Positibong Pasiguenio, universities and schools and community venues..
About the organisation behind the project
Meet the people behind the project
