By Glaiza Salanio and Heather Pascua

Photo by Zyle Cadiz

Last Friday, October 13, the Ateneo de Manila University celebrated the opening of its own pride month, “One Big Pride” (OBP) led by the Sanggunian: Commission on Gender Equality, in collaboration with the University Gender Hub and the University Gender and Development Office.

Ateneans, including students and teachers, as well as different allies of the LGBTQIA+ community from outside of Ateneo, gathered together as the event kicked off with a pride march that commenced at Areté and ended at the Bellarmine field where the OBP program took place.

Dressed in colorful attire, waving rainbow flags, and carrying banners promoting inclusivity, the participants marched to celebrate diversity and spread a message of equality.

The program was enlivened by various performances by Witness Naia Black, Lady Morgana, Myx Chanel, VeLore, Company of Ateneo Dancers, and the Ateneo Musicians’ Pool. 

In line with this, the Mayari Committee, assisted by Sandigan Lakambini, spearheaded the launch of Libulan Pride Booths.

As per the Libulan Pride Booths, the two committees organized activities for this event, namely, Solidarity Strings, Giveaway Booth, and Confession Board which aimed to encourage participants to express themselves and their true identities with great pride.

Celebration of inclusivity

One Big Pride, which is held annually during the 2nd to the 4th week of October, aims to advocate for a more inclusive and equal society.

“This collaboration focused on solidarity, highlighting the fact that if we were to aid in further enacting progressive steps that would protect sexual and gender minorities, it would first begin with mobilizing and making use of the power in numbers the LGBTQIA+ community possesses, along with its allies,” Noelle Alarcon, the Lakambini Head, said regarding their committee’s initiatives for this year’s OBP. 

According to Alarcon, activities like OBP can foster new friendships and empower existing ones, especially for students experiencing the unique queer experience.

“These activities serve to empower and strengthen the bonds they possess, and even possibly form new ones that would result in lifelong friendships. The queer experience is utterly unique; thus, it can feel quite isolating when no one else is there to understand such. But through the heightened solidarity of individuals who all fight for the struggle of equality, one can feel more emboldened and ready to contribute to positive change for all,” Alarcon added.

The Blues’ brightest colors

One Big Pride showed the dedication for promoting an LGBTQIA+ community-friendly campus which was evident through a range of initiatives and policies, ensuring every member of the community feels valued and supported.

“I feel like events like this, it shows that there are people like me around. Even if they aren’t always 100% visible, I guess this is the visibility that I need. It’s able to show me that I’m not alone in whatever I go through. And that I’m not the only one who wants to take pride in myself, but there are also other people,” Sean Sia, a Grade 11 student who attended OBP, stated.

“I think that a lot of us aren’t able to show this part of ourselves at home or in other places. And I think that Ateneo is really a safe space to be able to do so,” Julia Joaquin, a Grade 11 OBP attendee, shared.

Matteo Francesco Suzara, one of OBP’s volunteers, said that “I really wanted to be able to be part of something bigger that gives back to the community, that is able to offer so much love to others, especially those who feel discriminated against and not welcomed in society.”

Some formators from Ateneo de Manila Senior High School (ASHS) also supported OBP by participating in the said event.

“I see myself more as someone who helps in gathering the people. Being able to invite people of different ages, of different SOGIE into a celebration and protest always feels like one of the more fulfilling parts,” Aina Martin, ASHS Guidance Counselor, stated.

Meanwhile, this university-wide initiative would conclude on October 27 through a closing program and a community night to give thanks to the volunteers, guests, and participants.