Ever since the days of USA for Africa and Band Aid, music has become a vehicle for various causes.

In the Philippines, MTV has been holding a music summit mainly geared towards protecting young people from the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

“Seemingly, there is a gap in bridging the message to the intended audience like the young people. The best way to reach them is through media and MTV,” says Dr. Jose Gerard Belimac, manager of AIDS & STI Prevention and Control Program of the Department of Health (DOH).

Teresita Bagasao, Joint United Nations Programme for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), says young people comprise 40 percent of the new infections globally.

“That means on a daily basis, we receive reports of 6,000 new infections among young people,” adds Bagasao.

“For as long as there is one new infection, we cannot be complacent,” Bagasao says.

In the Philippines, the DOH reported a cumulative number of 3,515 cases as of October 2008, according to Belimac.

Belimac says there is also a shifting trend in the mode of transmission of AIDS from heterosexual to homosexual based on the study conducted by the epidemiology center of the DOH.

Aside from the mentioned modes, AIDS can also be passed through injecting drug users, blood transfusion, occupational exposure of health workers and mother to child, Belimac says.

On December 1, 1988, the World Aids campaign began to call the attention of the people about HIV. Since then, December 1 has been declared as World Aids Day. This year, the call for the people is to “lead, empower and deliver.”

Bagasao says each sector of the society should lead in information campaign that would later empower people to make better decisions. He also says policies on prevention and treatment should also be encouraged. “These are ways we can defeat the epidemic,” said Bagasao.

On December 3, thirty-six bands will play for the MTV Staying Alive Music Summit 2008 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert grounds.

Rico Blanco, musician and spokesperson of the music summit, acknowledges that music continues to have a big influence on young people.

“It’s a responsibility to do whatever I can, to help educate people regarding HIV and AIDS,” adds Blanco, as he explains his participation in this year’s summit.

The bands that have confirmed to perform during the summit are 6cyclemind, Bamboo, Callalily, Chicosci, Franco, Grayhoundz, Hale, Imago, The Itchyworms, Kamikazee, Kitchie Nadal, Kjwan, Markus Highway, Moonstar88, The Out of Body Special, Overtone, Paraluman, Pramita, Parokya ni Edgar, Pedicab, Pupil, Radioactive Sago Project, Rivermaya, Sandwich, Session Road, Silent Sanctuary, Sinosikat?, Slapshock, Soapdish, Spongecola, Sugargree, Taken By Cars, Typecast, Up Dharma Down, Urbandub and Wolfgang.