INTERNATIONAL AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL DAY: SPREADING LOVE AND SOLIDARITY ONE CANDLE AT A TIME

INTERNATIONAL AIDS CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL DAY

May 17, 2024 - The Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich, through the Municipal Health Office (MHO), participated in a candle lighting activity dedicated to commemorating AIDS victims. Held at the Municipal Plaza on Friday night, each attendee lit candles forming the AIDS sign, one by one.

With the theme, “PUT PEOPLE FIRST: Kandila sa Pag-amuna, Kahayag sa atong Tinguha,” the event was a tribute to those who are battling AIDS head-on, particularly to the ones who have lost their lives to it. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, also called HIV. HIV weakens the immune system, making the body susceptible to illness and infection.

There’s a persisting HIV stigma among the majority - especially those with little knowledge about the subject - who display a negative attitude and belief towards people with HIV. People who identify as LGBTQA+ face discrimination, and those who test positive but are not members of the community are despised and held in low regard.

“First nato nga reason nganong e-celebrate ni nato siya is for remembrance, atong dumdumon katong mga nangamatay sa AIDS. Usahay naa man gyud tay discrimination nga ang members lang sa LGBTQ ang gakamatay, dili na siya tinood. We have men, women, and children, and members sa LGBTQ community ang affected.” Dr. Kharla B. Dinsag thoroughly explained why the event was celebrated. She added, “Since 1980, kabalo bamo nga there are 39 million ka tao sa tibouk kalibutan ang naay AIDS, ug out of the 39 million, 1.5 million ani ang mga bata nga 0-14 years old ang edad.”

The speaker of the event was a 58-year-old AIDS survivor, aka Bert, from Manolo Fortich. “I was diagnosed as HIV positive, 2015. Actually, dili raman gyud siya HIV, I had so many infections, nagka-Pneumonia, nagka-Meningitis, nagka-TB. I was already 35 kilos then, and ang sakit sa ako is not the HIV, pero katong nobody is taking care of me. Na-stigmatized ko, ako lang isa, I stayed in the hospital for 2 months kapin with so many infections. I was alone.”

The lighting of the candle not only remembers those who passed away but also signifies light in the darkness, to give hope to people who continue to suffer from the virus, and to pave the way for a future where they are accepted and loved, not stigmatized and feared.

Present at the event were MHO Head Dr. Joanne Marie Dueñas, Sangguniang Bayan Members Coun. Rina E. Quiño, Coun. Dr. Joy Cordovez, and Sangguniang Kabataan President Lennox Tabaco. Also in attendance were representatives from Manolo Fortich National High School, Department of Health, Bukidnon, Bukhad Manolo Fortich, Upper Calanawan Youth Movement (UCYM), DOH Human Resources National Health Workforce System, student organizations representative from Northern Bukidnon State College, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and representatives from the LGU. MHO personnel and staff were also present as facilitators and organizers, making the event possible.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day was celebrated internationally on the 19th of May, Sunday, with the theme, “Together We Remember, Together We Heal, Through Love and Solidarity.”