17/12/2025
๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ: ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐๐ต-๐๐ฒ๐ฑ, ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐-๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ, ๐ฆ๐๐ถ๐ด๐บ๐ฎ-๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐!
Bataan St. Joseph Hospital & Medical Center Corp., in partnership with the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the Bataan Medical Society, Lakan-Balanga, and the Balanga City Health Office โ City Health Center V, commemorated World AIDS Day on December 12, 2025, with the program โYouth-Led, Community-Powered, Stigma-Free Philippinesโ at the Covered Court of Barangay Dangcol, Balanga City, Bataan.
The program began with welcoming remarks from Dr. Angel Aquino - BSJHMC Medical Ditector, who then led a candle lighting ceremony with Dr. Roland Benedict Reyes. Following the ceremony, Ms. Clarel Jane Corpuz, BSJHMC ICN, provided a historical overview of World AIDS Day and the local fight against HIV. Students from Bataan National High School recited a statement of support while lighting their candles, and Ms. Catherine O. Banaban, Teacher II of BNHS, led the opening prayer. Attendees were guided in making a pledge to foster a stigma-free environment for people living with HIV, led by Ms. Hennesse Canare - Olegario, Lead Program Coordinator of Balanga City Health Office.
Dr. Roland Benedict Reyes - Infectious Disease Specialist, then delivered a comprehensive lecture on HIV and AIDS that covered prevention, testing, treatment, and destigmatization, followed by a question-and-answer session. Lakan-Balanga provided free on-site HIV screening, ensuring immediate access to testing alongside the eventโs educational and symbolic activities. Dr. Jose Christopher Custodio hosted the event
The World AIDS Day event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of community collaboration and youth engagement in the fight against HIV/AIDS. By uniting various organizations, healthcare professionals, and local youth, the program not only raised awareness but also fostered a supportive atmosphere for those affected by HIV/AIDS. The participation of students from Bataan National High School exemplified the significant role of the younger generation in advocating for a youth-led, community-powered and stigma-free society.
๐ฅ๐๐ฉธ๐ฉบ