3 Days Before IACM Philippines 2015

3 Days to go before the Big Event!

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, an international event which is commemorated every 3rd Sunday of the May every year is an event of solidarity together with the international communities, organizations, governments and civil societies. However, it is not just a commemoration of those who passed on because of AIDS, but it is venue where the community, the government and the different organizations come together and make a stand against the spread of HIV and AIDS, against stigma and discrimination.

This year, the Project Red Ribbon (TRR), will once again host the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2015 Philippines on May 17, 2015 in Liwasang Aurora, Quezon Memorial Circle starting at 2 pm. This is the culminating event of the National HIV Testing Week, a project of the Department of Health. With the theme of "HIV is EVERYBODY'S Concern", the event wants to empower all Filipinos to take part in the programs of HIV and AIDS. The increasing new cases of HIV and the increasing numbers of deaths because of AIDS need to send a message to everyone that it is now a public concern and that it is now a concern of everybody.

The Project Red Ribbon on the same day will be holding the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The LGBT community will join hands with the HIV community in the the same fight against discrimination and stigma, which is very prevalent in the Philippines. Both communities suffer from human rights violations and in the HIV community, it is the killer not the virus itself as even though there is treatment, people are still scared to get tested and treatment because of discrimination and stigma. Thus these two combined events will become a big stage to deliver a strong message, to raise our voices, our concerns not only to the whole country but to the entire world. 

TRR would like to acknowledge the outflowing support on social media from TV and movie personalities like Rocco Nacino, Enzo Padilla, Lance Raymundo, Angel Aquino, Luis Manzano, Inigo Pascual, Daniel Padilla, Regine Tolentino, Lander Vera Perez, Jonalyn Viray, KZ Tandingan, John Lapuz, Aljur Abrenica, Christian Bables, Rica Paras, Rachel Alejandro to mention few of the supporters.

Organizers would also like to thank the Department of Health- National AIDS/STI Prevention and Control Program, the Office of the Mayor of Quezon City, Hon. Herbert Bautista, American Foundation of AIDS Research, TreatAsia, Metro Society Magazine, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine-AIDS Research Group and Task Force Pride for supporting the event.