People representing various sectors in the city gathered at Plaza Pershing Friday night, May 29 in observance of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a movement to honor the lives lost to AIDS and support people living with HIV.

Spearheaded by the City Health Office under Dr. Dulce Miravite, the annual event was highlighted by the testimonial from a person living with AIDS (PLHIV) and consequently the symbolic lighting of candles to give honor and remembrance to people who died of HIV/AIDS, and lessen stigma and discrimination.

Vice Mayor Beng Climaco renewed the call to eliminate stigma and strengthen support for people living with HIV/AIDS. “HIV/AIDS is not a final sentence but a pause to learn in life,” the vice mayor said, as she called for prayers for those who have died of the disease.

Department of Health – 9 Officer-in-Charge Dr. Lenny-joy Johnson Rivera urged all health workers, officials, and advocates to unite in support for people living with AIDS as she cited the increasing number of HIV cases in Zamboanga City and the region. She reaffirmed the department’s full support to the campaign to strengthen early detection, promote education and prevention of the disease among young people.

The activity was in collaboration with the Multi-sectoral AIDS Council, the Gender and Development Services, Mujer-LGBT Organization of Zamboanga and other agencies. As an added feature, the commemoration activity included free HIV screening.

The commemoration traces its roots to 1983, when a group directly affected by the then-emergent AIDS illness established the day to honor those lost to the infection and raise public awareness. The World Health Organization formally endorsed the initiative in 1987, transforming it into one of the most significant global HIV awareness events. (CMO-PIO) (photo credits: Jen Casido)