Pride Across Islands, Love Without Borders
- JESON CABILIC
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The Pride Month Celebration in the Philippines for 2025 was a powerful display of unity, resilience, and the ongoing fight for equality. With the theme “Pagmamalaki, Pagkakaisa, at Pagpapalaya” (Pride, Unity, and Liberation), the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies came together across the country to celebrate identity, demand inclusion, and honor the long-standing journey toward acceptance.
A National Movement of Inclusion
From major cities like Manila and Cebu to smaller communities in the provinces, Pride events were held throughout June. The celebrations were not only colorful but deeply meaningful, combining parades, cultural performances, awareness campaigns, and forums on LGBTQIA+ rights and welfare.
Metro Manila: The Heart of Pride
The Metro Manila Pride March, held at the CCP Open Grounds in Pasay City on June 29, drew a record-breaking crowd of over 150,000 participants. The event featured vibrant floats, live musical performances, drag shows, and speeches from activists and public figures. Human rights groups emphasized the need for anti-discrimination laws, while healthcare advocates set up booths to offer free HIV testing and counseling services.
Cebu City: Blending Culture and Advocacy
Cebu’s Pride celebration, dubbed “Sinulog sa Gugma” (Sinulog of Love), highlighted the intersection of local tradition and LGBTQIA+ visibility. Events included community fairs, pride processions, and dance competitions. Advocacy groups led sessions on inclusive education and employment rights for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Davao City: Safe Spaces and Stories
In Davao, Pride events were more focused on creating safe spaces and dialogues. Local organizations hosted “Pride Talks” where members of the community shared stories of resilience and challenges. The atmosphere emphasized healing, education, and empowerment, especially in regions where LGBTQIA+ visibility remains limited.
The Ongoing Call for Equality
While the celebrations were joyful and affirming, they also served as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equal rights. The long-delayed SOGIE Equality Bill remained a key issue, with renewed calls from lawmakers, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens to pass the measure that would protect Filipinos from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.
Advocacy campaigns such as #SOGIENowNa and #PrideIsPolitical trended across social media platforms, amplifying the message that true pride includes protection, policy reform, and systemic change.
Voices and Visibility
This year’s Pride was also marked by the growing support of allies, families, schools, workplaces, and churches. Educational institutions launched gender sensitivity programs, while several companies participated in Pride marches and reaffirmed their commitments to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
“Pride is a collective celebration of humanity,” said one participant in Quezon City. “It’s about standing up not just for ourselves, but for those who still live in fear.”
As Pride Month 2025 came to a close, one message was clear: the Philippines is moving toward greater inclusivity, but the journey is far from over. Pride is not just about colorful parades or social media posts; it’s about continuing the conversation, pushing for legal protections, and building a culture where everyone, regardless of identity, is treated with dignity and respect.
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