A participant holds a lighted candle in commemoration of the World AIDS Day. Photo by Janine Abejay

To observe the celebration of the upcoming 26th World AIDS day on December 1, The School of Nursing (SoN) organized a candlelight ceremony at the Thibault grounds during the activity period to remember the people who are affected by HIV/AIDS.

The candlelight ceremony became more special as the participants were asked to form a human ribbon to serve as the symbol for the advocacy. Also the #RedWashDay, an online campaign for students to wear red, was initiated to support the said advocacy.

According to Anna Macrohon, SoN division representative, the event was made to pray for the people who are affected with the disease, as well as those who died because of it. The ceremony primarily aimed to spread knowledge about HIV/AIDS.

“This event wanted to see Ateneans getting involved into this kind of issue [sic]. There is a need to advocate into this, and not just be stuck with academic stuffs,” Macrohon said.

The ceremony is just part of a series of programs organized by the SoN to promote HIV/AIDS awareness to Ateneans. A forum on HIV/AIDS awareness will be held this December 1 at the Finster Auditorium during the activity period.