On December 8, 2024, Upper Session Road, Baguio City, hosted “Biyaheng Kalusugan: World AIDS Day 2024 Health Caravan,” an event centered around raising awareness and promoting solidarity in the fight against HIV/AIDS. With the theme “Paint the town Red! Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!” the gathering aims to narrow the AIDS Healthcare gaps such as discrimination, stigma, testing, and challenges in the effective treatment.
The event brought together a diverse group of individuals from both public and private institutions, all with the common goal of creating a better awareness of HIV/AIDS and the treatments available for a more informed and compassionate community. Pines City Colleges employees participated and represented the institution in the said activity, including Buna B. Racal, Dean of the College of Nursing, Rowena T. Acacio, Coordinator of Community Engagement Services, and representatives from the Student Affairs Services Ma. Jemmima A. Trinidad and Sunshine Grace S. Gano. Other participants included Dorin Shelley Aromin, PCC Nursing Faculty, and 30 PCC BSN 2 students who participated actively in the day’s activities and discussions.
The goal of this event was clear: to educate our community about HIV/AIDS and inform the public about the importance of diagnosis treatment. As an allied health institution, the importance of accurate knowledge in combating the virus is a top priority. The more equipped individuals are with the right information, the better the community can collectively combat HIV/AIDS and work toward ending the stigma associated with it. The event reminded everyone that health and rights go hand in hand. HIV/AIDS awareness is not just about providing information—it’s about making sure that every individual is aware of their right to live a life free from stigma, discrimination, and fear. Through engaging in this collective action, Baguio City took another important step toward creating an inclusive and supportive community for those affected by HIV/AIDS.
By coming together to educate and inspire, the event fostered hope and the collective determination needed to end HIV/AIDS. As the theme so powerfully put it, “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!”—a call to recognize the importance of everyone’s health as a basic human right. With continued efforts and solidarity, the vision of a world free from HIV-related stigma and discrimination is closer than ever before. #Collin Jaye Laguinday
