Deeply moving, inspiring turnout at 1st Makati Pride
Recently, while scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled upon a post by pop culture maven 90skabaklaan, featuring photos from Icon magazine’s July 2005 power issue. It assembled trailblazers who have significantly contributed to the LGBTQIA+ movement, including Boy Abunda, Joey Reyes, Robby Carmona and myself.
Nearly 20 years have passed, and seeing those photos brought a flood of memories and reflections. Have we been fighting for the same advocacy for almost two decades now?
Back in 2005, I was a TV producer creating gay-themed content on Philippine free TV. My show, “Out!,” focused on the theme of coming out into society, and it was ahead of its time. This rebellious and innovative spirit was both groundbreaking and challenging, laying the crucial foundation for my journey that eventually led to becoming a consultant of “Spread the Love, Makati!,” a celebration of diversity, equality, inclusion and pride.
Being part of the organizing team behind this recent Pride event, the first ever organized by Makati City Hall, was a dream come true and a natural progression of my journey.
In 2019, I helped put together the Manila-Vienna Equality Festival, a metro-wide initiative with the Austrian Embassy that sparked the idea that I could organize something even bigger for our community.
As a resident of Makati, I thought Makati should celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, being a leading city in the country. After a series of conversations with Mayor Abby Binay and seeing the vibrancy of LGBTQIA+ businesses in Makati, I saw how the vision for Makati Pride could take shape.
Mayor Binay finally gave the green light and, together with Ichi Yabut, Dwayne Samarista of the Museum and Cultural Affairs Office and Pinky Antonio of PLA Productions, we set out to create an event that truly celebrated the LGBTQIA+ community.
Beloved figures and allies
The event was graced by many beloved figures who have significantly contributed to the LGBTQIA+ community through their unwavering support and advocacy. Internationally acclaimed Filipino artist and activist Leeroy New agreed to design our stage. Heart Evangelista, despite her incredibly busy schedule, made it a point to arrive early, demonstrating her deep commitment to the cause and the Sogie (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression) Equality Bill.
Karen Davila, my dear friend and a stalwart ally, delivered a speech that resonated deeply with the audience. Her journey from ally to advocate has been remarkable. Her speech beautifully wove her Christian faith with her advocacy for equality, sending a message that faith and support for LGBTQIA+ rights are not mutually exclusive. She emphasized that we are all equal in the eyes of God, a statement that holds profound significance given the religious opposition the community still faces.
Boy Abunda, another cherished friend, has been a beacon of strength and inspiration. Recently, he produced and wrote an album with six songs about our activism, encouraging us to recognize and harness our strength in numbers. During the performances, we were both in tears, overwhelmed by the beauty and power of the moment.
Nadine Lustre, with her immense influence on the youth, brought an infectious energy to the event. Although she chose not to perform this year, her engagement with the crowd and her support for our cause were palpable.
Seated beside Nadine was inspiring trans woman Angie King. Angie, who grew up in Makati, expressed her gratitude to Makati City for giving our community a platform to send our message to a wider audience and allowing us to go beyond preaching to the choir.
Mark Bautista, who has courageously come out as bisexual, made a powerful appearance at the event. This was one of his first major public engagements at an LGBTQIA+ event, and his presence was deeply moving. His openness about his identity has inspired many and highlighted the importance of visibility and representation.
Stunning performances
Geneva Cruz delivered a stunning performance that captivated everyone. Her support for the community has always been unwavering, and her participation added a special touch to the celebration. The performances themselves were a highlight, showcasing the incredible talent within our community. The drag queens of O Bar delivered show-stopping and awe-inspiring performances. Brigiding, a longtime friend, together with her daughters at The House of Ding, brought a powerhouse number to the stage, captivating everyone with their energy and artistry.
The House of Revlon graced the event with their remarkable presence and talent. Tim Yap also graced us with his presence. His life, openly lived, is a message in itself. Tita Baby, a friend from the Malate days, added a touch of nostalgia and continuity to the event.
The committed crowd stayed on in Makati Avenue despite occasional drizzles, and danced to the electrifying performances of Top Suzara of Freestyle, Nicole Asencio, La Crema, openly gay singer Aaron Maniego and the feminist musical artist Yennyboo. We also organized a series of workshops and panels to educate and empower our community. The Gender and Development Agency (GAD) ensured that all city personnel involved were educated on Sogie issues, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.
Impactful discussions
The panel discussions were equally impactful. Chris Eugenio from the Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride organized the Pride business talk with representatives from the Makati Business Club and the Management Association of the Philippines, including Bobby Batungbakal and Junie del Mundo discussing the role of businesses in supporting LGBTQIA+ rights.
Janlee Dungca from Castro PR led the Sogie SC conversation panel, a deeply thoughtful presentation on sexual orientation and gender identity issues. Mori Rodriguez, CIO of EON Group, brought together Ruel Bayani, Milo Sogueco and G3 San Diego for a panel that dissected the relevant issue of internalized homophobia within our community, while Benedict Bernabe’s health issue panel, featuring doctors Dino and Quincy Raya, addressed critical health concerns in the community.
Niccolo put together an exciting workshop on live painting and photography, and drag queen Tiny Deluxe presented a master class on drag makeup and styling. All these workshops and panel discussions were held in five different hotels in the Poblacion area.
Mayor Binay, represented by her husband Rep. Luis Campos and the councilors of Makati City, reaffirmed their commitment to empowering the LGBTQIA+ community. Their support is crucial as we continue to advocate for our rights and visibility.
Thinking back on the event, I am filled with gratitude and hope. The journey of organizing Makati Pride has been deeply rewarding, affirming my belief in the power of community and advocacy. The sight of familiar faces and the energy of new allies coming together to celebrate our diversity was profoundly moving.
Why are we doing this? What is all this for? The answer is simple yet profound: for visibility, for acceptance, for equality. Twenty years have passed, and while the fight for equality has not diminished, it has grown even more tempestuous. We do this to show that the LGBTQIA+ community is vibrant, resilient and an integral part of society. This event is not just a celebration but a statement—a declaration that we are here, we are proud and we will continue to fight for our rights and recognition.
