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By Enrique Niño L. Patricio, RN
Executive Director – Kagay-an PLUS Inc.,
Contributor.

It all began on 1988, the first ever global health observance – to gather advocates to fight against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and show support to those who have been diagnosed with HIV, and also at the same time remembering those who died of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) related diseases. It is celebrated every 1st day of December of every year – the World AIDS Day (WAD).

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It was bright and sunny Sunday morning in the City of Golden Friendship; everyone was gathered at Rodelsa Rotunda Circle to start the motorcade. The activity was facilitated by the Cagayan de Oro City AIDS Council (CdeO CAC) headed by the Chairman Hon. Oscar S. Moreno and the Vice Chairwoman Hon. Maria Lourdes S. Gaane, MD. This activity was participated by Kagayan-an PLUS [Preserving Lives, Uniting Society] Inc., Cagayan de Oro City Health Office and its CHO Social Hygiene Clinic, various government agencies, students, parents and volunteers.

The motorcade started at the Rodelsa Rotunda Circle going to Centrio Ayala Mall and ended at the Nazareno Parish Church for a Holy Mass. After the mass, everyone was gathered at the Centrio Ayala Mall Activity Area for the program proper. Everyone was greeted by the CAC Vice Chairwoman Hon. Maria Lourdes S. Gaane, MD and was shortly followed by the health observance rationale by the Officer-in Charge Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development (CHD) Northern Mindanao – Dr. David A. Mendoza. ARD Mendoza emphasized the importance of celebrating the WAD as it is the destructive pandemic in history so as highlighting advances in legislation to protect People living with HIV (PLHIV) and deepen our understanding about the disease.

ARD Mendoza reiterated that the WAD is a vital celebration for increasing more funding for scientific researches for cure, increases awareness, fight prejudice and improve education and early detection. Later, Dr. Ian Christian A. Gonzales from DOH CHD NM Infectious Disease Cluster Head gave a HIV and AIDS Situation both the National and Regional so as the local level (CDO).

An open discussion among the participants was conducted and was eagerly answered by the resource persons from the LGU and DOH CHD NM. After everyone was entertained by the CDO Band. The afternoon session of the WAD Observance started by an open invitation for the poster making contest so as a lecture-discussion by Dr. Reuel Frias – the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) HIV and AIDS Core Team (HACT) Team Chairperson. Dr. Frias started his lecture-discussion on the reorganization of the HACT so as its newest meaning – Health And Care Today.

Dr. Frias then discussed the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) updates which include the medication regimen and its statistics on the compliance rate and enrolled clients at the clinic. Then, around 4:00 in the afternoon, the most awaited pageant with the cause that has been spearheaded by the KPLUS, Inc. for 4 years in counting – the search for the next Human Rights and HIV and AIDS Ambassador and Ambassadress of Cagayan de Oro City. Where six (6) gentlemen and five (5) transgender women competed for the crown for the search for the 2019 Mister and Miss Kagay-an PLUS, Inc. (MMKP).

A preliminary swimwear competition was already held last November 22, 2019 at Middleton Apartelle, Barangay Carmen CDO. An opening message by the Executive Director of KPLUS – Mr. Enrique Niño L. Patricio, RN, MNc highlighted the achievements of MMKP 2019 candidates.

Kagay-an PLUS Inc. group photo with MMKP 2019 participants and winners

He discussed that the official screening started around June 2019 – they have achieved or reached and screened a total of nine hundred sixty-three (963) MSMs and Transgender Women in which a total of thirty-four (34) clients were referred to the CDO Social Hygiene Clinic and eventually enrolled at the NMMC HACT for their ART Treatment. Moreover, he emphasized that aside from the advocacy part of the pageant, it is still a search for the next ambassador and ambassadress so “let the show begin…!!!” The candidates had an opening production in their gods and goddesses’ ensemble and waived to their fans and family.

The crowd went wild. It was followed by the casual wear that was exclusively created for the candidates by Mr. Leonard Calderon of LUCreation. The evening gown competition was sponsored by Strictly Sheldon by Sheldon Frias and Formal Wear Sponsored by Jiejie Aisa of Electic Image Fashion Studio #TeamAmega’s. Later that evening, Ms. Klien Cortez was crowned Miss MMKP 2019 while Mr. Michael Fajardo was crowned Mister MMKP 2019. Moreover, Mr. Fajardo also bagged the competition’s key awards such as the 2019 Most Reached MMKP Finalist having 211 MSM and Transgender Women Reached and Screened for HIV and a total of 10 clients who got Reactive for HIV and awarded him as Best Peer Educator. Ms. Amanda Benemerito and Mr. Rjay Gaco were the 1st MMKP 2019 Prince and Princess.

This year, another key award was given both to Mr. Jonil Macalam and Ms. Maureen Labadan for the 2019 Best Advocacy Video Award which capsulized their over-all learning and drive about the HIV and AIDS health promotion, prevention and treatment. The night ended with a family photo of all the men and women behind the success of MMKP 2019. The event will not be made possible without the positive support of the major sponsors and the Program Officer of KPLUS Ms. Shane Quigao. Congratulations to this year’s winners… See you to the next year for the MMKP 2020.

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