Freedom of colors METRO MANILA PRIDE MARCH AND FESTIVAL 2022 HELD IN PASAY CITY
Metro Manila Pride March and Festival returned to in-person celebration, attracting about 29,000 attendees
Two and a half years into the coronavirus pandemic, the Metro Manila Pride March and Festival returned to in-person celebration on
25 June at the Cultural Center of the Philippines
Open Grounds in Pasay City,
drawing around 29,000 people, according to organizers.
The last two Metro Manila Pride events were held online because of the lockdowns and ban on social gathering. The last in-person march was in 2019 in Marikina City and broke records with more than 70,000 attendees, becoming the largest Pride celebration in Southeast Asia. This year’s celebration was also momentous as it was part of the first nationwide simultaneous celebrations of Pride with Alab for Love Pride PH Festival in Quezon City and events in Baguio City, Romblon, Iloilo, Misamis Oriental and others. It bannered the theme “Atin Ang Kulayaan!: Makibeki Ngayon, Atin Ang Panahon!
(Freedom/Colors is Ours: Rise Up Now, This is Our Time)” Their manifesto this year explained the LGBTQ+ community is undergoing various experiences including “[d]iskriminasyon at karahasang deka-dekada nang nagpapadilim sa ating mga buhay at kulay — at patuloy pang lumalala dulot ng kawalan ng lehislatura lalo na ang pagharang sa pagpasa ng
SOGIE Equality Bill, kasabay ng kawalan ng malawakang kulturangpag-unawaparasa komunidad (discrimination and violence which have darkened our lives and colors for decades, and which are worsening because of the lack of legislation and the obstruction of the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill, and the lack of wide understanding about the community).
“Kurapsyon at katiwaliang nagnanakaw ng pag-asa, kabuhayan, at pagkakataon sa karamihan (corruption and deceit that rob many of hope, livelihood and opportunities).
“Ang mga nagpapakasasa sa kasinungalingan, panlilinlang, at abuso — na pilit pinatatahimik ang ating mga tinig (Those who consume and spread lies, deception and abuses who silence our voices).”
“Sa pag-inog ng mundo’t pagdating ng bagong administrasyon, bitbit natin ang bigat ng nakaraan. Hindi natin ito kakalimutan, at hindi natin ito pakakawalan (While the world turns and a new administration comes, we carry with us the heaviness of the past. We will not forget and we will not let go),” part of the manifesto said. “At bagaman mahirap, kailangan nating harapin ang hamon ng kasalukuyan nang buong-tapang, sa harap ng takot at pag-aalinlangan para sa ating kinabukasan (While it is difficult, we need to face the challenges of the present with courage, the fear and doubts for our future).”
The 2022 Metro Manila Pride March and Festival was composed of several components, open from 10 in the morning until midnight. The Proud Street Fair was set up with booths of organizations and merchants selling merchandise and food. The Eduk Hangout offered educational activities such as a voguing workshop facilitated by the House of Mizrahi PH, an LGBTQ+ orientation session by Bahaghari, and the discussion “Kasal, Kasali, KasaLAW: Karapatan ng mga LGBT Families and Couples sa Pinas” by Rainbow Rights Philippines.
The march was held from 4 to 6 p.m. with a route that included Jose W. Diokno Boulevard, Atang de la Rama Street, Vicente Sotto Street and Magdalena Jalandoni Street.
The onstage program was held from 2:30 p.m. to midnight with hosts Bunny Cadag, DeeDee Marie J. Holliday, Denese Que, Shontrice Gaddi, Justine Pena and John Philip Bravo.
Solidarity speeches were delivered by different sectors and LGBTQ+ organizations. Senator and long-time ally Risa Hontiveros and lesbian advocate Giney Villar served as keynote speakers. In a video message, Hontiveros said she will again champion the SOGIESC Equality Bill. On the other hand, Villar underscored the importance of knowing the history of our struggles to guide us in creating the future.
Performances were headlined by singer-songwriter Nica del Rosario, composer of big hits “Tala” and “Rosas.” Other performers were Andy Crocker, Chrenz, Arizona B., Cheryl Salvador, David Mercado, Dope Hauz, The Drag Kakampinks, Inah Demons, Jerome C., Kate Jagdon, Mac, Matthew Chang, Melrose the Doll, House of Mizrahi, Mrs. Tan, Paul Pablo, Jer Dee and Marky, Spectrum PH, Supektibols and TFX.
After the event, organizers released a statement on 30 June, saying, “Ang ating kasaysayan ay ang ating saysay (Our history is our worth).”
“Huwag magpatinag, at patuloy tayo sa pagsulong ng karapatang pantao at hustisya, lalo na sa patuloy na paglala ng pagpapatahimik sa mga tinig ng katotohanan. Sa isang lipunan kung saan halos lahat ay patuloy na biktima ng pang-aabuso at pagpapabaya, mauunawaan lamang natin ang kasaysayan at makakamit lamang natin ang kalayaan sa tulong ng ating kapwa (Don’t be let down and let’s continue in promoting human rights and justice, especially now that the voice of truth is being silenced more. In a society where almost everyone is a victim of abuse and neglect, we can only understand our history and earn freedom with the help of others),” they said. “Ngayon, mas kinakailangan nating magbuklod at sama-samang kumilos tungo sa pagkakapantay-pantay at para sa hustisya (Now, we need to be united and together take actions for equality and justice).”
“Pinaglalaban ng Metro Manila Pride ang karapatang pantao ng mga LGBTQIA+ at sa gayon, dahil kabilang ang mga LGBTQIA+ sa lahat ng sektor, pinaglalaban natin ang karapatang pantao ng lahat (Metro Manila Pride fights for the human rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, and because LGBTQIA+ people are also part of all other sectors, we fight for the human rights of all),” they further said. “Nawa’y kapit-bisig tayo kontra sa pilit na pagbura at pagbago ng ating mga kwento, ang ating kulay, ang ating saysay at kasaysayan. Patuloy natin bibiguin ang may balak isadlak ang bansa sa iilang taon ng diskriminasyon at karahasan (We hope we join hands against those who try to erase us and change our narratives, our colors, our worth and history. We will continue to fight intentions of relegating the country into years of discrimination and violence).”
The organization also said that the community will continue fighting for the passage of the SOGIESC Equality Bill, Hate Crime Law, and Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill and fighting violence and disinformation.