Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — As he sat down to talk to CNN Philippines, Mark – not his real name – was all smiles. There are no traces that his life was turned upside down in the past year. He was in a long-term and loving relationship with his partner and they were in the process of saving up to buy a new house.

It all changed one night in October last year, as they were getting ready to eat dinner. "He looked very healthy. We were supposed to have dinner at home. He said he was dizzy, he sat on the couch. And then nag-seizure siya [he had seizure]," Mark recalled. His partner was then rushed to the hospital - and was admitted for a month and a half.

The initial diagnosis was tuberculous meningitis – an opportunistic complication of HIV. When his partner's neurologist ordered an HIV test that turned out positive – Mark knew he had to know his status as well.

"When my partner became reactive I accepted that I will also be reactive," he said. After confirming his hunch with an HIV test, he balanced helping his partner get better as he dealt with his own sickness. But with the complications of the disease, his partner passed away last month.

Mark wouldn't have thought of getting himself tested for HIV if his partner had not gotten sick. He is just one of over half a million men the Department of Health estimates to be at risk for HIV. HIV Unit Manager Dr. Genesis Samonte said all at-risk populations should get tested for HIV once a year.

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But more than knowing your status, Samonte emphasized the importance of following through with medication. She said with hundreds of new HIV cases diagnosed every month, not all come back for the antiretroviral drug that is provided free by the government.

"Siguro hindi pa sila ready [Maybe they are not yet ready] or baka [maybe] something happened and they didn't come back. For those who come back they are not ready to take anti-retroviral drug (ARV)," she said.

She added the DOH also lacks mental health experts who could provide counseling and support. "It's very hard to get experts in mental health in all our treatment hubs but we want to have. Long term treatment has side effects. You are affected, as well as your family," she added.

Samonte said the DOH is now focusing on strengthening its service delivery networks in local government units. All test kits and ARVs are available in all City Health Offices. "People should not fall through the cracks of the health system. Every single person at risk should be diagnosed. You should be on treatment if you are diagnosed," she stressed.

But despite all the government's efforts to provide free testing and treatment for HIV – the stigma that surrounds the illness prevents patients from coming forward. Mark preferred to have himself tested in a private clinic run by a non-profit organization, Loveyourself. The group has 700 volunteers who also provide counseling and acts as your support group.

"From the very point you walked in to what you should expect when you step out of the door, they would always show you the path," Mark said. The group's hub is a Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) Satellite Clinic that also gives ARV.

The DOH predicts the HIV epidemic will stay in the country for 10 to 15 more years.

"HIV is here to stay, unfortunately. It will get worse before it gets better. That's something the DOH has accepted and we will do everything we can to at least slow it down and to make sure every single person infected is on treatment so they won't die. Every single Filipino should understand – it is a national public health concern we should address," Samonte said.

Mark meanwhile takes each day in stride. "I'm well and very thankful for that. Life will go on. You have to embrace everything that is right in front of you," He hopes others can learn from this story – and know their status before it's too late.

Also read: HIV cases rise in 74 countries in last decade