ANGELES CITY — Exuding pride and empowerment, the city’s LGBTQ+ Federation, in collaboration with Barangay Balibago chairman Joseph PG Ponce, has unveiled events lined up for the highly anticipated Pride Month Celebration 2024 in June themed “Pride In Diversity, Strength In Unity.”
In a press conference on May 14 at the Balibago Barangay Hall conference room, federation president Loyd Nicdao, current Lourdes Sur East barangay secretary, and Ponce presented the events to be participated in by 31 federation barangay chapters, except for barangays Claro M. Recto and Sto. Cristo which are still in the organizational process.
On June 29, at 4 p.m., the float and walk parades will kick off at Salakot Bayanihan Park, Balibago, and proceed to Infinity in Barangay Pulung Maragul for the program proper, which will include live performances and the awarding of prizes for the best creative costumes and floats, sponsored by Ponce and Infinity’s Echo Bar and Restaurant owned by Jerlad Cardenas.
“It’s an avenue to express our equal rights, advocacies, and various causes pertaining to education, employment, healthcare, protection, public services, and the fight against discrimination,” Nicdao said of the celebration.
Ponce emphasized the importance of solidarity and inclusivity in promoting equality, with a nod to the commitment of Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr.’s administration to uphold these principles. “I have been a human rights advocate since I was a city councilor, and when I assumed the role of punong barangay of Balibago, one of the priorities I implemented with the support of the council was to allocate an annual budget for LGBTQ+ related projects and programs such as this.”
Tuesday’s press conference was also attended by the city’s LGBTQ+ officer-in-charge Jhune Angeles who enthused: “Our community exists, and finally, we have been recognized by Mayor Lazatin and Kap PG Ponce. The city government will assist in the application of permits for the parade and will also assign security and traffic control personnel.”
Other groups in Pampanga, including non-LGBTQ+ supporters, were invited to join the event, which is expected to attract a crowd of less than a thousand participants.
The conference room was adorned with vibrant LGBTQ+ pride-inspired decorations, creating a colorful and inclusive atmosphere. Barangay chapter representatives, dressed in striking costumes reflecting the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community, added to the lively and festive ambiance of the press conference.
The LGBTQ+ Angeles City Federation is composed of pPresident Loyd Nicdao, vice president Christian Bautista, secretary Dhindy Zamora, treasurer Jerome M. Gozun, auditor Hannah Pineda, and board members Ejay Ramos, Jaymark Pangan, Vines Salas, Edwardo Marasigan, Jing Nacion, and Paula Vergara. BOD Cluster 1: Edwardo Marasigan, Cluster 2: Vines Salas, Cluster 3: Paula Vergara, Cluster 4: Tagani Magdalaga, Cluster 5: Jaymark Pangan, Cluster 6: Jing Nacion, and NGO: One United Dae Marquez.
Last year, the Philippines climbed to 16th out of 146 countries in gender equality.
Pride parades stand as vibrant spectacles, celebrating LGBTQ+ identities and the ongoing struggle for rights, offering essential platforms for visibility, acceptance, and advocacy. Their significance is deeply rooted in history, as they are timed in June to commemorate the seminal Stonewall riots of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village.
This watershed moment ignited the LGBTQ+ rights movement, inspiring generations to fight for equality and inclusion. One year later, thousands marched from the Stonewall Inn to Central Park in what is now known as the first Pride parade in the United States. Press release
