The University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman and the Maginhawa Pride Village in Quezon City were transformed into seas of color and solidarity on Saturday, June 27, as around 300,000 people converged for the LoveLaban Pride PH Festival 2026.
Organized through a collaboration between the Quezon City local government, the Pride PH Coalition, and UP Diliman, the massive gathering stood out as one of the largest Pride Month celebrations in the Philippines. The day-long festival offered a diverse lineup of events, encompassing a Pride Expo, a grand march, a Pride Night concert, and dedicated community hubs at the designated Pride Villages.
The celebration kicked off at 8 a.m. with the simultaneous opening of the Pride Expo and QueerCon, featuring community exhibits and partner booths along Maginhawa. By 1 p.m., thousands of advocates and allies took to the streets for the Grand Pride March.
The festivities culminated in a vibrant Pride Night that started at 6 p.m., treating the massive crowd to a dynamic mix of concerts, drag performances, and runway shows that went on until midnight.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte reaffirmed the local government’s dedication to creating a safe, inclusive, and progressive environment for the LGBTQIA+ community through institutional policies and grassroots programs. She also highlighted how crucial the partnership between the city, Pride PH, and UP Diliman is in pushing the boundaries for human rights and equality.
To manage the massive crowd, the local government deployed a comprehensive team of security personnel, traffic enforcers, medical professionals, and emergency responders.
Beyond security, attendees were given access to essential services on-site, including mental health consultations, HIV testing, cervical cancer screenings, PhilHealth registration, and social assistance desks.
The event saw strong representation from both the public and private sectors. Prominent participants included the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National Youth Commission (NYC), Plan International Philippines, Nestlé Philippines, TaskUs, Smart, and Converge.
The stage was packed with local talent, featuring performances by Jace Roque, Pixie Labrador, and the rising P-Pop group Wrive. Solidarity speeches were also delivered by San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and Miss Universe Philippines 2026 Beatriz Millan-Windorski. Another major highlight of the day was the first-ever QC Pride Dance Competition, where Barangay Pasong Tamo clinched the championship title, followed by Barangay Bungad and Barangay Sangandaan as first and second runners-up, respectively.
Even with sporadic rainfall throughout the day, the festive spirit remained unbroken as families, friends, and allies packed the UP Diliman grounds to champion diversity and unity.