Over 150 March With Candlelit Torches in Vallarta's First Walk for Life Paco Arjona - SETAC-GLBT
December 7, 2012

At 6:30 pm on December 1, 2012, the first Walk for Life held in Puerto Vallarta began its march from Lazaro Cardenas Park, proceeding up the famed Malecon to the arches, then back to the park again.

As part of the World AIDS Day celebration, the walk was organized by SETAC to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. More than 150 men and women marched with pride, dignity and solemnity, carrying candlelit torches in the early evening darkness.

"This is just the beginning," said SETAC Executive Director Paco Arjona in his opening remarks to the returning marchers, who placed their candlelit torches in a semicircle in front of the stage set up for this very special occasion. "It is the first Walk for Life held in Puerto Vallarta, and SETAC is proud to host it."

As part of the World AIDS Day celebration, local guitar duo Blue and Midnight performed a brief, upbeat set, followed by the Puerto Vallarta Men's Chorus singing both emotional and uplifting songs in honor of the event following by amazing performance by "Olga" from Club Eros.

On the two days before this unprecedented show of solidarity, on Thursday, November 29, and Friday, November 30, the second annual HIV Rapid Test Marathon took place in the same park, providing more than 130 free HIV tests, passing out free condoms, water-based lubricants and brochures concerning the prevention of AIDS and HIV.

"We will be doing this every year," concluded Arjona, "and we ask for your continued support in our effort to help those impacted by the AIDS pandemic and to finally put an end to it both here in Mexico and everywhere else in the world."