Pride PH kicks off 'LOV3LABAN 2025' in UP Diliman

The University of the Philippines Diliman campus in Quezon City was streaked with colors on Saturday as participants gathered for this year’s “LOV3LABAN.”

Members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ waved rainbow flags as they walked around the Academic Oval.

According to a report by Jaia Yap of GMA Integrated News, the event is the third annual Pride March and Festival organized by Pride PH, in collaboration with the Quezon City Government.

It will continue until midnight with performances from various artists and personalities.

Rodina Singh, National Convener of Pride PH, said that the event has seen exponential growth in participation.

"Noong 2022, nasa 7k lamang ang inaasahan nating bilang ng dadalo sa unang PridePH Festival ngunit 25K ang nakilahok sa araw mismo ng Pride. The year after, 110k na ang nakiisa sa taunan nating Pride festival. But last year, nasa humigit kumulang 228k tayong nakipag-LoveLaban nationwide,” Singh said.

This year, the organizers are targeting 250,000 participants.

Singh emphasized the significance of these large numbers, stating that the substantial turnout at Pride events serves as the community’s strength. 

“Ang pagkakaroon natin ng malaking bilang sa Pride ang nagsisilbing lakas ng ating komunidad para ipaalala sa lahat na mas marami na ang nakikiisa sa ating laban at panawagan, at para na rin ipaalala sa mga mambabatas na marami tayo at mas dumadami pa — sapat na ang bilang para sabihing kaya nating abalahin ang Metro Manila sakaling tawagin tayong muli ng lansangan para singilin ang mga karapatang ipinagkakait nila sa atin,” she said.

Per Singh, the festival also serves as a platform to advocate for crucial rights currently being denied. Key legislative priorities include the SOGIE Equality Bill, Marriage Equality, and, in solidarity with women, the Divorce Bill.

—Carby Rose Basina, with reports from Jaia Yap/JCB, GMA Integrated News