Thousands gathered to celebrate the Filipino LGBTQIA+ Community during the Pride PH Festival 2024 in Quezon City on Saturday.
A statement from organizers Pride PH and the Quezon City government said that more than 200,000 individuals attended the Love Laban 2 Everyone festival.
“We have to always remember that pride is a protest. Kahit may mga kasiyahan tayo, tandaan natin na malayo pa ang ating laban sa pakikipagbaka para sa karapatan ng LGBT Community, (Even if we are celebrating, let us also remember that we still have a long fight for the rights of the LGBT Community)” Pride PH National Convenor Angel Romero said in Katrina Son’s 24 Oras Weekend report.
Attendees arrived at the venue donned in bright colors and costumes fit for the runway.
Meanwhile, booths at the festival offered services like free HIV testing.
Part of the festival was a march that began along Tomas Morato Avenue and then made its way to the Quezon City Memorial Circle.
Bands and designed floats were featured in the march.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte also hosted a graduation ceremony during which students from the LGBTQIA+ community marched in their preferred graduation attire.
However, organizers announced on Saturday night that Pride Night was cancelled due to the heavy downpour during the afternoon and evening.
“Dahil dito napagdesisyunan ng mga organizer na unahin ang kapakanan at kaligtasan ng lahat at tapusin nang maaga ang programa ngayong gabi,” a statement by Pride PH and Quezon City read.
(Because of this, the organizers decided to prioritize the well-being and safety of all and ended the evening’s program early.)
They also thanked the public for their participation and providing a disciplined and orderly Pride PH Festival.
“We are proud of our community along with the many allies that have joined us dahil ipinakita natin ang ating good behaviour and also our resolve. We will need more of this show of force and love letter to national leaders in the crucial 6 months na kakailanganin natin ang lakas at suporta ng isa’t isa para sa SOGIE Equality Bill at para makamit ang pangarap nating lipunang may pag-ibig at pagkakapantay-pantay,” the statement read.
(We will need more of this show of force and love letter to national leaders in the crucial six months that we would be needing each other’s strength and support for the SOGIE Equality Bill so we can achieve our dream of a society of love and equality.)
“Hindi po ito ang pagtatapos ng ating laban. Ang Pride ay pang-araw-araw, at marami pang pagkakataon na tayo ay muling magsasama-sama,” it added.
(This is not the end of our fight. Pride is every day, and we will always have many opportunities to gather.) — Jiselle Anne Casucian/DVM, GMA Integrated News
