KALIBO, Aklan -- At least 22 gays are joining a pageant for a cause as part of the province's campaign against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Aids).

Errol Ordines, organizer of the Queen of Aklan (QOA), said the coronation night will be held at the ABL Sports Complex on November 30, a night before December 1 or the World Aids Day.

The QOA is being supported by the Aklan Provincial Government, the Provincial Health Office, and the Butterfly Brigade, among others. The said pageant has been ongoing since 2013.

"As part of their preparation, each of the candidates have been subjected to a voluntary HIV-Aids test. All of them was negative of such disease," Rodines said.

Each of the candidates was also asked to hold a series of activities related to the campaign against HIV-Aids in their respective communities. Some of the candidates this year were educators.

From 1986 to present, the Aklan province has registered 215 cases. (SunStar Philippines)