Singapore AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2009

May 19, 2009 by mhisham · 1 Comment

This year’s memorial was one of the most sombre event that Ihave attended so far. In this post, I will show you a collage, the tweets I did during the event as well as show you a URL that is so useful to track this scourge that has afflicted humanity.

Here’s the collage I mashed up for all the interesting images. See if the crowd really numbered 300.

Here’s the twitter updates I did before and after the event.

09:53 since i still hv both my laptop and camera with me, will use either or both during AIDS Candlelight Memorial at SMU later. #
09:54 depending on security and confidentiality (some kin of AIDS-victims) reasons, will switch to laptop if capturing via camera is not allowed. #
10:00 ok im heading over to the SMU School of Law to get my laptop charged. #
10:09 Bumped into an old friend who’s gonna be having a gig at the art museum at 7 later. Xchg contacts cuz ill be at AIDS candlelight memorial. #
10:11 Would be a bad idea to capture gig atmosphere now anyways, my lighting gear and skills are not concert/gig ready. #
10:52 oh interesting, Brenton from AFA has allowed me to use my camera for this event as there will be no persons with HIV appearing in person. #
10:59 @clicktokill eh cannot la … certain things, you must know you cant do it. gigs and concerts are out of me … for now. let me learn 1st k #
11:04 am at the SMU hall, crowd is milling in slowly. a bigger crowd is forming. have taken shots of NMP Siew and AFA President. #
11:05 waiting for other religious leaders to come in, most of them have already appeared, leaving about 3 seats. #
11:06 if you’re wondering, theres no specific hashtag i could use for this cuz none has been suggested. i could use #afasg … we’ll see how #
11:24 starting in 5 minutes time … #
11:27 the emcees is welcoming everyone from the vips to the rest of the attendees. in english as well as mandarin. #
11:28 SMU has been the host of AFA Candlelight Memorial for the 3rd year running. and the Inter-Religious organisation hv always been supporting. #
11:30 the Sg Red Cross has been an able partner with AFA. incidentally, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent are helping with HIV prevention. #
11:31 according to Min of Health, HIV has taken3843 lives by end 2008. #afasg #
11:33 M/s Braema Mathi thank the crowd for continued support as with support then the awareness will increase. #afasg #
11:39 RT @scorpiojerm #afasg HIV/AIDS has claimed 3,843 at end 2008 in sg. Social stigma & discrimination still an issue for suffers. #
11:53 the Philipino choir has sang 2 beautiful performance. now the different faith will say the prayers in their own faith, 1st with the hindu #
11:55 RT @mhisham: the Philipino choir has sang 2 songs. now the different faith will say the prayers in their own faith1st with the hindu #afasg #
12:01 The taoist priest goes next followed by representative from the jain faith #afasg #
12:02 The buddhist chant earlier was very mesmerising yet calming #afasg #
12:05 The christian faith rep now take the rostrum #afasg #
12:05 Compassion is a key word in his prayers. #afasg #
12:06 The sikh faith takes up the rostrum #afasg #
12:07 The baha’i faith concludes for the inter religious council #afasg #
12:09 Hiv aids does not care who you are, irrespective of social status or class #afasg #
12:11 There is a sharing session by a lady, where all forms of recording medium was asked to cease recording #afasg #
12:15 Having hiv does not mean life stand still, shared by lady. She’s a strong woman. She perseveres. & remain faithful. #afasg #
12:18 Lady thank everyone who has supported her. Her name will not reveal for obvious reasons. Strong applause from the crowd for her. #afasg #
12:19 Now there is a flute performance, sobbings can be heard all around the hall, from the earlier revelation. #afasg #
12:20 Hiv AIDS have always been an invisible person, meeting someone as courageous to appear just put it in your face. #afasg #
12:22 Ive turned off my laptop & camera, its getting difficult to maintain my composure. Sad moment. #afasg #
12:23 Now there is a vocal & dance performance as an abstract representation. The song is You Raise Me Up. #afasg #
12:26 You raise me up, so i can stand on mountain, you raise me up to walk on stormy sea. #afasg #
12:27 Now everyone is asked to stand in a minute of silence. #afasg #
12:34 The event has ended and people are departing. Hope no one forgets anything and continue this fight. #afasg #
14:04 @mattrigbye #afasg is a hashtag created for AFA which stands for Action For AIDS. today was the annual candlelight memorial. #