On May 21, 2021, the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas (KLD) and Dasmariñas Social Hygiene Clinic (DSHC) joined forces to organize an event in commemoration of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a global observance that pays tribute to those who have succumbed to HIV/AIDS while also raising social consciousness and fostering solidarity.
The event’s centerpiece was a poignant candlelight vigil, where 500 participants (faculty/non- teaching staff and students of KLD) gathered to remember those who had lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. Through the symbolic act of lighting candles, the attendees honored the memory of the departed and expressed their solidarity with those still grappling with the physical and emotional challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS.
Included also in the program were discussions on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), updates on the HIV/AIDS status in the City of Dasmariñas, and HIV screening test.
Present during the event were representatives from the Dasmariñas Social Hygiene Clinic, headed by Dr. Maria Soledad Mendiola, Officer-In-Charge, along with Ms. Nina France Calinawan, Mr. Cymond Mamarlao, Mr. Herald James Torre and other staff of the hygiene clinic, and Mr. Symson Maquera, Regional Program Officer of the Department of Health (DOH).
Representatives from the KLD who attended the event were Dr. Juanito O. Cabanias, President/College Administrator, Dr. Regielene S. Gonzales, OIC- Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Dr. Fe M. Compas, OIC-Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ernesto Bastida, Jr., VP for Research, Mission and External Affairs, Directors and Deans, faculty members, non-teaching staff and students.
The event served as a powerful platform to challenge the persistent stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, providing a space for the expression of grief, the celebration of resilience, and the promotion of social action in the face of this enduring public health crisis. Recognizing the importance of creating a supportive and empowering environment for those affected by virus, the KLD partnered with DSHC to amplify the voices and experiences of the HIV-positive community.
