Angelle De Leon
A young man in Zamboanga City, who embraced a person living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has touched the hearts of many netizens.
In a Facebook post by a certain Johnny Jacinto, he narrated his emotional encounter with the man holding a placard that read, “I’m a HIV+ will you hug me?”
According to Jacinto, the man, who covered his face with a paper bag, was standing at a crowded area near the city hall.
He said he was so amazed on what the man did, so he did not hesitate to give him a hug.
Jacinto said his friend, Trishjane Sali, also embraced the man and other people followed her in hugging the man.
“Sobrang na amaze ako sa ginawa niya kaya naman deserved niya ang mahigpit na yakap, then after namin siyang kausapin at yakapin may iilang yumakap na rin sa kanya,” Jacinto noted.
“Hindi kami nagdalawang isip na lumapit at nakita ko sa kanyang mga mata na para bang naluluha na parang masaya,” he added.
For Jacinto, he said everyone should embrace each other regardless of health status.
He urged everyone who will see the man to give him a hug as a person won’t get HIV by simply embracing them.
“Wala naman sigurong mawawala pag niyakap siya at hindi naman nakakahawa ang HIV through hug kaya lets give him ng mahigpit na yakap,” Jacinto said.
“Sa mga gustong ipadama sa kanya na hindi siya iba puntahan niyo at yakapin, nakatayo siya sa harap ng McDo at city hall,” he added.
In his Facebook post, Jacinto also shared the photos of the man diagnosed with HIV.
This post has now gone viral with more than 5,600 likes and over 3,200 in just two days.
Many netizens commended Jacinto’s act, while some sent “love and prayers” to the man with HIV.
Here are some of the netizens’ reactions:
“I respect you bro. Hindi naman nakakahawa ang HIV thru hug. Mga tao talaga.”
“Kudos to you Johnny Jacinto. Thanks for sharing this. God bless you. Will give him a hug too.”
“God loves you and you deserve to be loved. Hugs from here. 💖💖”
“Big hug from me… There’s no impossible to Jesus he can heal you. Just pray harder. God bless!”
“Having this kind of disease doesn’t make you less as a person. God Bless! 😇🙏”
“Wala dahilan para hindi siya i-hug… Ano man nangyari sa kanya, he still deserves to be loved and respected. ❤️”
