Powerful performances by Vice Ganda, Regine Velasquez, and more at the Pride PH's thanksgiving event
The LGBTQIA+ community wrapped up the pride month with a bang!
After its annual pride festival was cut short last June 22 due to heavy rain, the non-profit organization Pride PH held its thanksgiving event on the last day of the month at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
According to Pride PH, this year’s pride events have accumulated 228,000 attendees nationwide, making it the “biggest pride in Asia.”
Members of the community and allies strutted the venue once more wearing their most colorful and creative outfits to wrap up the pride month.
From Gloc-9's classic hit Sirena to Vice Ganda and Regine Velasquez’s exhilarating performance, here are the highlights of the event:
Gloc-9 performs Sirena
Known as one of the proud allies of the community, rap artist Gloc-9 or Aristotle Pollisco in real life, performed his classing hit song Sirena which tackled the struggle of being gay, but empowers them to be confident despite the criticisms by others. The song has since became a gay anthem of the community for years.
In case you didn’t know, the song was a gift to his gay son, Sean Daniel. In his previous interview, he shared that he was not aware of his son’s sexuality when he wrote the song, but it became more special when he came out.
“Minsan iniisip ko how life gives you hints of magic here and there,” he previously said. “Ako’y proud na may anak ako na tulad ni Daniel. Mahal na mahal ko ang mga anak ko at gagawin ko ang lahat para sa kanila.”
Advocacy calls by the community
Equality bill at the "Love Laban 2 Everyone" thanksgiving event. @tfprideph / Instagram
Community allies highlighted the need to push for the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression (SOGIE) Equality bill, especially with the nearing end of the 19th Congress.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte also joined the call to pass the bill.
“Matapos man ang pride month, tuloy pa rin ang ating pakikipag-love laban; Tuloy tayo sa sama-samang pagtindig para sa pantay pantay na karapatan at kapakanan ng lahat,” Belmonte said in her speech.
Powerful performances by drag queens
@tfprideph / Instagram
Not missing out on the event are talented drag artist who gave their all in their performances. Some of those who performed include Drag Den Philippines season 2’s “drag supreme” Deja who performed No Way from the SIX: Musical and Pura Luka Vega who channeled Chappell Roan with the song, Good Luck, Babe!
Internet personality and music artist Sassa Gurl also graced the stage performing her song, Maria Hiwaga, as well as RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World finalist Marina Summers who performed the extended version of her iconic song AmaFilipina.
Vice Ganda's show-stopping stage, Regine Velasquez's surprise appearance
@tfprideph / Instagram
LGBTQIA+ icon and It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda wrapped up the stage. One of the songs she performed was Wings by Little Mix. She was joined on stage by Regine Velasquez who made a surprise appearance during the song Stronger.
Concluding the night, the TV host said, “[We are] valid, able, capable, and beautiful human beings, and do not let anyone or any group tell us otherwise.”