The sun was out and about last Saturday — as were members of the country’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community and their allies — at the 22nd annual Manila Pride March.
People started arriving in Luneta Park right after noon. They came early to meet with friends and check out the Proud Street Fair.
By 4:30pm, a crowd of over a thousand were ready to walk around the streets of Manila with pride to express their love and raise awareness of the community’s role in society.
“It’s okay to be gay. Gay is not wrong. Let love in,” they shouted.
When two men showed up with a sign that read “Jesus Saves From Hell” and started shouting “homosexuality is a sin,” some marchers walked up to the men and gave them flowers and hugs.
“Let love in. God love you,” they said, as the crowd cheered on.
Along the way, another group showed up bearing placards that apologized “for the ways that we as Christians have harmed the LGBT community.”
The first Manila Pride March had 60 participants, this year there were 5,000. Pride has created a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community of Philippines.
The 22nd Manila Pride March, with the theme #LetLoveIn: Kahit Kanino, Kahit Kailan (Whomever, Whenever) called on all Filipinos to let love into their homes, their communities and the whole country.
We asked some of the marchers what love means to them.
Isa Vivas, 19: “Love is when you can express yourself freely. Love means you can be yourself, and you don’t have to overthink it. It has been really emotional, especially since Orlando. I am happy to see people from diverse backgrounds all come together to support the community.”
Cody Cepeda, 19: “Love is more than self-expression. Love is about acceptance, regardless of your sexuality. Love is love.”
Dorothy Dulnoan, 19: “Love is being yourself. People accept you for who you are.”
Dannis Lucem, 24: “Love yourself first, then you can love others. Right now, I want to discover myself first, then I will find love, hopefully.”
Sunny Garcia, 56, painter and artist: “Love is wishing other people the same privileges you have. Everybody deserves love. Pride is fighting for equal rights. I came again this year because the fight isn’t over.”
Krista Garnace, 19: “Love is accepting people as they are. No discrimination or judging. Love is love.”
Andrey Dulalia, 17: “It may sound cheesy but for me, love is accepting anybody without any standard, regardless of the norm or their choice of love. Orlando has pushed me to express myself even more. It’s essential to support the community.”
Kryss Rubio, 19: “For me, love is loving everyone whatever they are or who they are.”
Scott Tiogangco, 21: “Love is a universal language. Everybody knows it, and feel it. It doesn’t require you to be someone. Be true to yourself and feel the love.”
Claudio Ramos, 30: “Love is all-encompassing. Love is living everyday without harming anyone and in a protective environment.”
Raz Salvarita, 33: “Love is living our expressions. LOVE. Love can be anything.”
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