Makati City made history on July 27, 2024, by hosting its first major Pride event, ‘Spread the Love, Makati!’ The celebration, spearheaded by Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay-Campos, was a significant milestone in the city’s commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion.
The event, which took place on a closed section of Makati Avenue in Barangay Poblacion from 10 a.m. to nearly midnight, was attended by thousands of enthusiastic participants. The day was marked by a variety of activities, including informative talks, engaging workshops, and vibrant performances. City officials, including Congressmen Luis Campos and Kid Peña, Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, and several city councilors, were present to support the event.
Mayor Binay-Campos described the event as a “movement towards understanding, acceptance, and support for everyone in our diverse community, regardless of their background.”
The program kicked off with a series of discussions on critical topics such as inclusive development, gender sensitivity, and LGBTQ+ health needs. Sessions included ‘Understanding SOGIESC: The Importance of Gender Sensitivity,’ led by Janlee Dungca of Castro Communications, and ‘Differentiated Care: Understanding the Health Needs of the LGBTQIAP+ Community’ with Benedict Bernabe. Other discussions focused on workplace inclusion and confronting internalized homophobia.
Workshops on drag makeup and styling by drag queen Tiny Deluxe, and on photography and painting by Niccolo Cosme, offered participants hands-on experiences.
A lively fair featured booths from local and LGBTQ-owned businesses, selling food, merchandise, and providing free HIV testing. The fair also included various games and activities for attendees.
The afternoon saw street dancing performances by groups like the Intensity Dancers, DJ sets by Moira Lang and Dignos, and street voguing by Nunoy Revlon and his dancers. The highlight of the event was the main program, which featured a giant rainbow flag and performances by celebrities such as Heart Evangelista, Nadine Lustre, Karen Davila, and Angela King.
Heart Evangelista delivered an inspiring message about the celebration of love and self-acceptance. “We are here to celebrate love,” she said. “Each and every one of us holds something very special in our hearts, a unique kind of spring that blossoms internally, and that is the sense of self.”
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Karen Davila emphasized the importance of starting inclusion and diversity at home and advocated for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community. “The Philippines is one of the most tolerant countries in the world when it comes to gays, but why don’t we give them rights that are equal to ours?” she asked.
The event also featured performances by Geneva Cruz, Top Suzara, Mark Bautista, Nicole Laurel Asencio, and the band La Crema, with vibrant contributions from drag performers from the O Bar and House of Ding.
