Pride PH, in collaboration with the Quezon City government, is set to bring the annual Pride Festival back to the University of the Philippines Diliman campus, preparing for another massive celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies.
Following a record-breaking turnout of over 250,000 attendees last year, the event is anticipated to draw massive crowds once again in its ongoing mission to advocate for equality, human rights, and social inclusion for LGBTQIA+ Filipinos.
According to organizers, choosing UP Diliman as the venue holds both practical and deeply symbolic weight. The campus has a storied history of activism, civic engagement, and progressive movements, making it the perfect backdrop for the gathering.
Additionally, its vast grounds and accessible location are essential for managing the festival’s expanding attendance.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte reaffirmed the local government’s unwavering support for the LGBTQIA+ community, emphasizing that Pride transcends a yearly celebration and mirrors the city’s continuous push for inclusivity and equal opportunities for everyone.
This year’s iteration, dubbed the #LOVELAB4N Pride Festival, promises a broader and more diverse lineup of events distributed across the campus.
Key highlights will include the iconic Pride March, advocacy and community hubs, the Pride Expo, QueerCon, various satellite stages, and multiple educational, cultural, and interactive programs.
Organizers noted that this year’s festival will place a stronger focus on representation by introducing dedicated spaces and programs for youth, women, health, and transgender sectors. The event will also serve as a platform to amplify major legislative advocacies, specifically the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill and the fight for marriage equality in the Philippines.
Pride PH reiterated that the festival stays true to its roots of visibility, solidarity, and collective action, as advocates persist in striving for a Philippine society that genuinely respects, protects, and includes the LGBTQIA+ community.