16
Jul 2025
Read our Annual Report 2024
We’ve come a long way — and we’re not done yet. We’re proud to share our 2024 Annual Report that features the year’s milestones and insights from 15 years of listening, learning, and evolving with purpose. From serving a few dozen women in 2009 to reaching millions with reproductive health services and education in 2024, the report showcases the impact of a bold, systems-based approach to health and rights in
26
Mar 2025
13-Year-Olds with HIV are not the Problem
Roots of Health Statement March 25, 2025 Recent reports of a 13-year-old diagnosed with HIV in Palawan have sparked urgent concern, prompting increased screenings over the weekend. Yet public discourse has been clouded with misinformation and misplaced blame. Social media comment sections are replete with condemnations of adolescent promiscuity. People completely miss the fact that most sexual relationships involving minors are with adults – indeed, cases of statutory rape. The
A powerful photo exhibit, Sulyap: Katotohanan sa Mata ng Kabataan, was staged on March 14 at the NCCC Mall, showcasing realities faced by young Palaweños – including early pregnancy, child labor, poverty, and mental health struggles. Organized by Roots of Health in collaboration with Photovoices International, JCI Puerto Princesa Oil, and the Puerto Princesa City Youth Development Office, the one-day event featured the work of 13 youth advocates who used
Photo by Katherine Jack, August 2019 HIV did not disappear because of COVID-19. In fact, it could get even worse. We’re seeing more positive cases in our clinics since lockdown restrictions have eased up and more people can go out to get tested. Still, many people find it hard to access testing and treatment for HIV. Restrictions to movement of people and supplies are still in place. This could lead
Because of strict COVID-19 lockdown rules, women can’t even visit a health facility or pharmacy two blocks away to get birth control. Meanwhile, contraceptive supplies are dwindling in health facilities due to supply chain disruptions. This could lead to a surge in unplanned pregnancies. An unplanned pregnancy disrupts a woman’s life in so many ways—even more so during a pandemic of this magnitude. With little to no opportunities to work,
12
Oct 2010
“Stop Global Warming. Wear a Condom.”
Marcus examines the link between overpopulation and maternal health here in the Philippines.
10
Aug 2010
Roots of Health Featured in “Smile” Magazine
Roots of Health (Ugat ng Kalusugan) has been featured in the August edition of Smile Magazine, the in-flight magazine of Cebu Pacific Air. The article, by Katherine Jack, is about the 'Brain Gain', Filipinos who are returning to their homeland to make a difference.
15
Mar 2010
Roots of Health and Me
Sara Evangelista, Ami's sister shares her personal experience being on the Roots of Health Advisory Committee.
22
Dec 2009
Ugat ng Kalusugan in December
As with every month since we started working in the Philippines, December was another very busy month for Ugat ng Kalusugan! I started off the month with 3 days of back to back to back meetings in Manila with other organizations focused on maternal and child health and reproductive health. The people I met with were incredibly helpful and I am so thankful for their generosity in sharing their time
30
Nov 2009
Pulang Lupa
November has been a busy and important month for Roots of Health. Since my last blog update, we completed our needs assessment. In analyzing the data as well as our general observations from being in the communities, we have decided to begin our programs and service delivery in a community in Santa Lourdes called “Pulang Lupa” (meaning “red earth”) which is a part of Purok Matahimik. It is the community
