PNU KATALONAN

Prisms of Pride: 03 LIFE

Raising Awareness on the Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines

PNU Katalonan, in collaboration with the University Centre for Gender and Development (UCGD), organized a hybrid HIV/AIDS awareness seminar in the Philippines on December 17, 2022, at HRD Auditorium and Google Meet. Despite the team's first technical challenges, the program began at precisely 9:00 a.m. when the masters of ceremonies started to welcome everyone in physical and virtual rooms. The preliminaries, including the doxology and the presentation of the nationalistic anthem, were carried out smoothly with the assistance of the technical crew.

Following that, there's the Punong Katalonan, Mx. Emman Lasquite presented the introductory comments, thanking the institution first, Love Yourself PH second, and everyone who attended last. After that, the masters of ceremonies joyfully delivered the stage to Mr. Denis Cruz, the first representative of Love Yourself PH. His presentation dispelled the majority of existing myths about HIV and AIDS. He also gave factual information and statistics highlighting the current spike in HIV diagnoses and current treatments for People Living with HIV. Following his presentation, the masters of ceremonies presented the next speaker, Mr. Ronald Bugarin, who is also from Love Yourself PH. He began his presentation with an energizer consisting of questions on common myths about HIV transmission. Then, he utilized the participants' physical and virtual responses to emphasize the importance of correct information in disputing preconceptions and prejudices.

Following his presentation, there was a question and answer session in which most participants worked to create a safe place for addressing themes such as responding to delicate worries and coping with the recurrence of situations once they become instructors. Following a series of questions, the ceremony's masters welcomed the speakers to the stage, wherein the Punong Katalonan Mx. Ikalawang Punong Katalonan Mx. Emman and Ikalawang Punong Katalonan Mx. Daniele Louis Q. Guevarra presented the certificate of appreciation. Following the recognition, there was a picture opportunity with the participants. To officially launch the event, PNU-USC Student Gender and Development Chairperson and PNU Treasurer Katalonan left a heartfelt message.