A group advocating the rights of HIV and AIDS victims held a candle-lighting ceremony at the Visayas Community Medical Center on Wednesday afternoon to show support and spread awareness about the illness.
Members of the Advocating Gender-Based Actions Towards Caring Communities (AGACC) as well as advocates from different partner organizations including the Visayas Primary Health Care, Bisdak Pride (LGBT Community), Daughter’s of Charity, Migrante and staff from Visayas Community Medical Center came together for a short ceremony at 4 p.m..
“HIV is not a punishment but an eye opener”, said an advocate, who is also positive of HIV, who made a testimony.
He’s hopefull that there will be no more stigma and discrimination of HIV patients.
Program Director Jonel Perfecio also expressed himself by encouraging people who are suffering from HIV and AIDS to come out from their shell or to be open and to not be afraid of their illness.