(Courtesy of https://www.positivelypositive.ca/)
To raise consciousness about HIV and AIDS, an International AIDS Candlelight Memorial will be held at the Fuente Osmeña Circle on Sunday at 5 pm.
On it’s 31st year, the memorial is themed: “Let’s keep the light on HIV” and aims to be positive and forward looking activity, but will still remember the people who died with the disease.
A Mass will be celebrated at the Asilo dela Milagrosa by 3 p.m. and followed by a motorcade from the church to the Fuente Osmeña Circle where the candle lighting activity will be held at 5 pm.
“This is not only to commemorate those people who died with HIV, but also serve as an HIV Campaign. We’re gearing to people to take a test,” Jerson See, executive director of Cebuplus Association, Inc.
According to See, there will be free HIV testing during the event.
“There’s a negative stigma to people taking a test. We’re encouraging them to take a test. Taking the test means your responsible for your body to be healthy,” See said.
Cebuplus Association, Inc. along with the Cebu City Multi-Sectoral Aids Council and the Department of Health organized the event. / Xavier University Intern Kent Ugalde