After two years of being held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic, Pride celebration bounced back in a grand way in Iloilo City, becoming one of most beautiful local LGBTQ+ Pride events in the Philippines, apt for one of the most beautiful cities in the country, even as severe tropical storm "Nalgae," locally called "Paeng," disrupted the holding of the culminating event.

With the theme "Selebrasyon sang Pagbalik (Celebration of Return}: Painting the City of Love with Rainbows," the seventh celebration of Iloilo Pride, called Iloilo Pride Piyesta, was mounted from 16 to 30 October.

"Pride means so much to us. For others, the word alone may imply negative meanings. But for our community, Pride is a symbol of survival," wrote the organizer, Iloilo Pride Team, on their Facebook account. "Pride is a story of struggle, of freedom, and of love. Pride is the history of the bravest of us, the strongest of us, the ones who believed in living an authentic, fulfilling life that challenges the restrictions society tries to force on us."

"Pride is our colorful past ladened in the struggle to be seen, our present where that fight continues, and the future that we hope and live for," they further said.

Red-tagging slammed

Aside from the ongoing pandemic and the storm, which adversely affected many parts of the Philippines, the Pride celebration also dealt with the
red-tagging of Iloilo Pride Team chairperson, Marie Irish Inoceto.

On 24 October, hosts Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz and Dr. Lorraine Marie Badoy accused Inoceto of being a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines, who is recruiting students of the Iloilo City National High School in their program Laban Kasama ang Bayan in the pro-Marcos-Duterte TV network SMNI. Numerous LGBTQ+ organizations slammed the allegations and came to Inoceto's defense.

"Kung sino ang tumulong, 'yun ang ired-tag. This must be the motto of SMNI, which has done nothing but vilify advocates and generate threats to the life, liberty, and security of those who merely extend their kindness and help others. We condemn the heinous red-tagging…as false, baseless, reckless, and dangerous," said Reyna Valmores, chairperson of Bahaghari.

She further said: "We understand that honesty and fact-checking isn't the specialty of SMNI, but their claim that we are 'targeting' students at ICNHS for NPA recruitment is a demonstrable lie. It was actually the transgender students themselves at ICNHS who reached out to us for help. They felt deep emotional distress because of their school's grooming policy, which would force them to cut their hair, and in turn, cut their confidence, expression, and sense of worth as students. What is wrong with providing them assistance in drafting gender-affirming policies? More disturbingly, why is SMNI equating this to armed rebellion?'

Even the Commission on Human Rights expressed "deep concern on the red-tagging of Irish Inoceto."

"CHR continues to admonish against blanket labeling that endangers and threatens human rights defenders and advocates, including LGBTQI leaders, who endeavor to help address the concerns of their sector. Equally concerning is the trivializing of the concerns of the transgender students as mere front to infiltrate and recruit, instead of reporting and discussing them as real issues faced by these vulnerable sector. This kind of narrative only serves to perpetuate the already disadvantageous plight of the LGBTQI who frequently face stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence in our society," the government agency said in a statement.

They further said, "We reiterate the importance of creating a conducive environment for human rights advocates whose work is integral in improving the human rights situation of vulnerable sectors, such as the LGBTQI youth. It is incumbent upon personalities who have the platform to influence to help create a safe and empowering environment instead of contributing to narratives that can feed hate and harm vulnerable groups."

Art exhibit that glitters
The weather and the malicious red-tagging did not dampen the enthusiasm of celebrants of Iloilo Pride, which prepared a vibrant lineup of events, including an art exhibit, talks, a trade fair, the Pride march and a drag competition.

Iloilo Pride Piyesta kicked off with the opening of its Art x Pride component. The exhibit, "Kinaiya: Not All That Glitters Is Gold," opened at the second floor of Festive Walk Iloilo mall at the Iloilo Business Park on 16 October, led by Art x Pride event chairperson Louela Marie Prado.

Mounted in partnership with University Student Council, Arts and Sciences Society of English Majors and Youth for Peers Organization of West Visayas State University, the exhibit showcased both visual art and literary works, including poems, fiction and essays, by 19 artists. The visual artists were Gelo Zarsuelo (Your Warmth and Getaway), iAN (Cherry Gold), Mark Cordero (Nonoy), Sweatsweets (Sanguine), Miwa (Maybe It's Blue), Cryptid, Akii (Never Phased Out), and Kiyo Miya (Heartstopper Ittorou). Meanwhile, the participating writers were Felix Rey Van Olandria ("Backseat Conversations"), Wyn C. Gallo ("Same-Same" and "Paano Nagiging Tunay na Babae ang Trans?"), Gerard Paul Gallo ("The Woild Outside of That Bottle"), Everose Asidoy ("Forgive Me, Father, for I Have Sinned"), C ("My Violet"), Shine ("Distance"), Forr3st ("He Who Does Not Know"), Tashy ("The Road Under the Pink and Orange Skies"), Lady Yidhra ("The Show") and Kamingaw ("Rosas at Balangaw").
Aimed at highlighting queer and ally artists, the Art X Pride component started in 2021 in a virtual platform. This was the first time that a physical exhibit was mounted.

"A unique take on the popular idiom, 'Not all that glitters is gold,' which is more commonly known to represent that someone or something may not be seen as good or as valuable as they first appear. Meanwhile, Kinaiya may mean 'the inherent nature of a human being,' 'inner character' or 'characteristics that make you who you are,'" organizers explained about the exhibit theme. "However, in this context, it refers to the ability of a person to shine through their personal characteristics and talents. The LGBTQIA+ community is, in its own, a cornucopia of potential as members continue to thrive on love, hone their skills and unravel the hidden mysteries of their souls. Only valuing of gold while invalidating everything else, we fail to realize that gold isn't the only thing that sparkles. The moon as it reflects itself on the water. Diamonds. Our eyes that hold the universe. The grass and the morning dew. Edward Cullen. They are valuable in their own way with their own unique traits and do not have to be gold to be beautiful. Not all that glitters is gold, sometimes it's just you."
"Kinaiya" ran until 30 October.

Showcasing LGBT-owned businesses

LGBT-owned businesses and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs were showcased at the trade fair LGBT Entrep at the ground-floor atrium of the Festive Walk Annex mall, in front of The Marketplace, from 24 to 30 October.

The fair offered coffee, sweets, Pride merchandise, books, tarot readings, and spiritual services, among others. The booths featured Dripple Coffee, Studio Rhar Co., DecoPot, Woofers Iloilo, Glamtrends Fashion Shop, Kasingkasing Press, EllieCake Restaurant + Café, GoldenLemons, Alkeme Apotheke, and Nile Faerie.

The Family Planning Organization of the Philippines booth gave away HIV self-testing kits and other items to encourage safe sex to everyone. On the other hand, independent publisher Kasingkasing Press gave away free copies of Pagsulat Duag: Queer Youth Narratives of Panay.

Talks, from drag to orgasm

The Pride event was made more educational by two series of talks, held at the same venue as the LGBTQ Entrep Fair's, at the Festive Walk Iloilo Annex.

"Kalipayan: Breaking Myths About LGBT Pleasure" on 28 October proved be very popular. The series focused on taboo subjects such as sex, queer sex in particular. The talks consisted of "Paths to Big O" by Kat Aleksis, "BDSM" and "Role Play" by Kae, and "Love, Sex and Life of a PLHIV" by Francis Luigi Secular.

On 29 October, "Gaydulting Talks" tackled a variety of topics related to navigating life as a queer person such as "LeGayLeese" by lawyer Jon Cerlan Bangon, "Red Flags in LGBTQ+ Relationships" by UPV professor Xenia Monica Cabrias, and "Pink Money," about financial literacy and managing money, by one of Iloilo Pride Team founders Russel Patina, who now works for consumer finance provider Home Credit.

Writers and Early Sol Gadong gave talks about queer writing. Publisher of Kasingkasing Press, De Leon related his personal story on his becoming a queer writer and publisher, sharing the queer books that inspired or touched him. On the other hand, Gadong shared her experience conducting writing workshops in different communities that led to the anthology Pagsulat Duag: Queer Youth Narratives of Panay.

Meanwhile, drag performer Ryan Dave Estrella and dancer Nery Caro Suelan discussed drag.

March interrupted

As typhoon Paeng moved across the country in the last days of October, causing massive floods and triggering landslides, many events were postposed included the culminating Pride marches of University of the Philippines and Iloilo scheduled for 30 October.

On 6 November, the march was finally held. In the district of Mandurriao, participants assembled in the afternoon at the Iloilo Public Skateboard Park, one of the well-designed parks and promenades dotting the banks of Iloilo River in the city proper. A short pre-march program featured performances including those from Phi Palmos and Klite Candelario, and solidarity speeches from different organizations including representatives from Kabataan Partylist, Bayan Partylist and Gabriela Panay-Guimaras chapter, and Joseph Romanoff, Lebanon branch vice president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Iloilo City mayor Jerry Treñas, together with his wife Rosalie, attended to show his support, saying, "Tanan may tingog sa siyudad sang Iloilo. I am here this afternoon to show that the city government is one-hundred percent behind you… in all your undertakings."

"One of the reasons why Iloilo is called the City of Love is because Ilonggos are a peace-loving and accepting kind of people. We have always acknowledged the contributions of all sectors, and we have inspired a lot of members and allies to express their support and acceptance of the LGBT community," he wrote in his Facebook page the day after. "Many of our brothers and sisters have gained a sense of belongingness and a feeling of acceptance inspiring more people to never be afraid to show their color."

"To our LGBTQ brothers and sisters, always remember that it is never wrong to be your true self. Diri sa Iloilo City, baton kamo!" he added.

With drag queens in colorful costumes, a giant rainbow flag held by marchers, statement placards and several floats decorated with balloons, the march—participated in by LGBTQ+ individuals, groups and allies and contingents from student organizations, advocacy groups, supportive business companies, and local governments — went northward on the pedestrian and biker-friendly Benigno Aquino Avenue and proceeded on Aleosan Road in the barangay of Buhang Taft North. It ended at the rotunda of Casa de Emperador on Megaworld Boulevard in the Iloilo Business Park, where the culmination program was mounted.

Drag on!

The culminating program was highlighted by solidarity messages from senator Risa Hontiveros, a long-time LGBTQ+ ally and Equality Champ awardee; academician and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno; and public health development worker Dr. Tricia Robredo, daughter of former Vice President Leni Robredo, who is also an ally.

The program also included a drag competition called "Drop the Ball," giving us a glimpse of Iloilo's drag scene. It was most likely the first drag competition of its magnitude in the province.

Ten drag queens competed in the runway segment, with three categories —"Golden Era," "Ilonggay," and "I Am So New York!" — a lip-synch segment, called "Laban, Mamsh" with four elimination rounds, two rounds for the semifinals, and one final round.

The event also showcased the city's "clans," which can be compared to houses in the American drag scene. The Molo Boulevard LGBT and the Montecarlo clans participated in the showdown, "Battle of the Houses."

In the end, Jeyana and Rosewil Barba emerged as the two finalists in a very tight race, but Barba eventually won the crown.

At the conclusion of the celebration, the Iloilo Pride Team expressed gratitude to collaborators to organizations, companies, and individuals who helped them in making Pride Pyesta successful.

"[N]o amount of red tagging will stop us from fighting for the rights of our LGBTQIA+ siblings. We have as much right as anyone to live, love, exist and stand up for what is our right as human beings," the group emphasized.