Community Spotlight: Lakan Warriors fight against HIV

written by Queenie Mauhay

Lakan Warriors in Mabalacat, Pampanga, have an exciting and engaging activity that teases off the mind while everyone is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and imposed community quarantines. As a coping mechanism, many Filipinos tend to show off their dancing, acting, and singing skills on this social media application and guess what it is - Tiktok.

The Lakan Community Center thought of utilizing this booming social media application in the country to promote HIV awareness while on lockdown. For those who may not know, TikTok is a social platform, where subscribers can record short videos of performances, daily activities, and what-have-yous. Adults and children alike are hooked on this app, entertaining themselves amidst the pandemic. The app can also be used to promote goods, services, and even advocacies.

Lakan just did that by using TikTok to launch a localized contest called “TikTok Challenge Unlocked Down.” Its main purpose is to empower the youth & Lakan netizens to introduce the community center as a safe place for HIV and AIDS awareness, share their vision of equality, preserving a healthy and an HIV & STI’s responsive community. Through the

TikTok challenge Lakan aims to

engage everyone in promoting a compassionate generation wherein people living with HIV will be protected and respected in each entry of the participants. The Tiktok Challenge, closed accepting entries on July 9, 2020, and had their online voting process on Jully 11, 2020.

Aside from the TikTok Challenge, LAKAN Community Center also hosted a poster making contest with the theme of “HIV Warriors on the Combat of COVID-19”. Its aim is to provide HIV and AIDS Awareness to the general public by reinforcing adequate information in the country. This contest showcased not just the talent among the volunteers and staff, but also to exhibit the talents of their fellow Lakans. The poster making contest was judged by Lesther Sibunga, the Executive Director and John Michael Niedo, the Program Coordinator/Case Manager of LAKAN Community Center.

On July 9, the winners of the competitions were announced during the LakanGolive livestream. Jeremy Arquines from Cavite won the Tiktok Challenge, claiming 1,500 pesos worth of mobile load while Christian Paul from Angeles City, Pampanga clinched the first prize for poster-making contest with 1,500 pesos.

The LAKAN Community Center aimed to help the LAKAN netizens to gain confidence and trust the center’s values of holistic care and empowerment.People

who are interested in their services offered and their upcoming events by LAKAN Community Center are welcome to visit their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ LAKANCommunityCenter for the updates and interesting occasions.