TARLAC CITY — Six transgenders who were initially told to wear male attire for graduation at the Tarlac State University (TSU) were allowed to graduate Tuesday while wearing feminine-styled barong and matching slacks.
TSU officials initially told the transgender students they would be given their diplomas but would not be allowed to march on stage unless they complied with the graduation dress code which was flesh-colored barong and black pants for men.
The transgender students made issue of this in media and on the eve of their graduation, TSU management said they would be allowed to march to the stage in female attire which, however, was limited to lady barong and matching slacks.
AB Communication graduate Ivern Doroteo Arcache, who was recently declared Queen of the Philippines 2019 in a gay pageant, said he complied with the new rule but changed to dress after receiving her diploma on stage.
On stage, Arcache generated applause from the audience when he also kissed TSU president Myrna Mallari.
Arcache said the change of rules for the graduating transgenders was victory for them, but vowed to further fight for transgender “rights.”
He also said that her changing to dress after receiving his diploma was to show support for another transgender, Emmanuel Jejomar Ferrer, an AB English student who chose to wear a dress and was barred from joining the graduation march.
The other transgenders also went on stage in lady barong and slacks to receive their diplomas.
