Super' Yolanda failed to dampen Aklan's campaign against HIV-AIDS

Super typhoon 'Yolanda' failed to dampen the spirit of Aklanons as they persist to campaign for zero target of HIV-AIDS cases and stigma in the province.

This as a successful holding of the first Miss World AIDS Day for gays was held at the NVC Gym Sunday night.

At least 15 finalists joined the pageant and the crown was gathered by Gretchen Tan representing Malay, Aklan.

Robby Bastareche, newly elected president of the Butterfly Brigade and organizer of the pageant, said that they had planned for the said activity since last year.

"At first we thought of cancelling the pageant due to the typhoon 'Yolanda' but we decided to push for it as we consider the campaign for the zero target on HIV-AIDS by 2015 is also urgent.

"We have chosen the gay pageant because records have shown that homosexuals and transgenders are most vulnerable in the said disease," said Bastareche.

The pageant was supported by the Department of Education and the Provincial Health Office (PHO). The PHO said that since 1980's, the province had registered 36 cases eight of them already died due to the said disease.

Part of the activity was a candle lighting ceremony to remember those persons who died of HIV-AIDS.