WHITE PARTY MANILA: REIGNITE! Earns 1 Million for LOVE YOURSELF Inc.

Celebrating pride month has been something that the country has been doing BETTER every year. Years ago, there were White Party celebrations in the streets of Orosa and Nakpil in Manila. Back then, it was a congregation of different bars and to some degree, that place died down together with the LGTBQIA+ establishments that were there in Manila. This year, Mentorque Productions under Bryan Dy felt that it is time to throw one again, with the aim to help their co-presenter LOVEYOURSELF Foundation Inc. who has been steadily helping folks with HIV+ cases, testing and information. Together with allies, and the icons of LGBTQIA+ community, WHITE PARTY MANILA: REIGNITE was finally happening (after 12 long years) at the World Trade Center in Pasay City!

Everyone came to the venue wearing their best white outfits, ethereal looking garbs and carried their friends with them. I also saw cisgender folks, family members, their Mums and Dads who came to support them too. It was heartwarming, because the crowd was mixed, of young ones and not so young, seeing hope to have a new generation continue this celebration too.

Performers were led by the Unkabogable Vice Ganda, who not only appeared, but did the fashion show by BANG PINEDA that evening. The event was also hosted by KaladKaren, with John Sweet Lapus awarding some allies who have not only talked, but walked to support the LGBTQIA+ community. We also saw celebrity couple Ice Seguerra and Liza Diño, model Joey Mead-King car pro Angie King. Direk Andoy Ranay, Alex Diaz, Klea Pineda, Mimiyuuuh, Janella Salvador, Chie Filomeno, Kirk Bondad, Ron Angeles and Teejay Marquez were also at the runway, while RPDR runner up Marina Summers opened the show!

Acts from allies and community members like Ben&Ben, Maki, Gloc-9, Maxie Anderson and SexBomb Girls (who won Gay Icon of the Year Award) also happened. White Party Manila definitely set a new standard!

Outstanding Ally of the Year went to QC Mayor Joy Belmonte, Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto Rubiano, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. John Lapus gave the award and discussed matters that they supported like the right to care card for couples, partners or relatives. This is going to be a yearly honor for 4 individuals, hetero cis, for their contribution to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Then in a touching moment, Vice Ganda handed a 1 Million Peso check (earned from WHITE PARTY MANILA) to their supported foundation LOVE YOURSELF Inc. so they can continue their support for the cause.

Here's a toast to the lovely people who made this all happen! Can't wait for next year's WHITE PARTY! 

Verde Creatives Gives Back to Payatas

February was certainly a lovely month especially for the folks from Verde Creatives. They're a public relations and creative agency who's always had a knack in combining what they could do for PR and combine it with social advocacy. I've had the pleasure of working with them in several occasions, and I could see the passion burning every time they go out for campaigns, including how they care for the media too. 

This time it's different, as they took off their gloves for work and changed into plain clothed angels together with partners at community organization Munting Hiling, all for the people of Payatas in Quezon City. 

For those who don't know, Payatas was previously a dumpsite for Metro Manila and nearby cities. For years, it has been converted into communities, but still have some who are poverty stricken. Armed with their gusto to bring LOVE, JOY and SUPPORT, Verde Creatives and Munting Hiling held an event called "Verde Gives Back for Feb-Ibig" last February 13th at Payatas B Elementary School. Taking cues from their theme "All Kinds of Love!", they prepared gift bags, ice cream and more treats for folks at the venue. They also taught the concepts of universal love, family, romantic love, having dignity and inclusivity for everyone and several groups. This "Verde Gives Back" activity is just one of the many things that Ms. Bemz Benedito (their Founding Managing Director) used to do back in college, and still continues to this day. Her immersions were done in the same area, with the same people from Munting Hiling.

For them, this is now their CSR activity, which all started from that old academic requirement. She reiterates this kind of love to reach everyone, no matter what social or economical level they're in, especially those who are often overlooked. Ms. Bemz Benedito has been the previous chair for Ladlad Partylist and still continues to support LGBTQIA+ organizations til now. 

 

She also received the Global Transgender Hero award from the True Colors Fund which 80's icon Cyndi Lauper co-founded. She plans to do this service with Verde Creatives and Munting Hiling for the poorest of the poorest sector. She hopes these gestures would create more opportunities for the townsfolk, and have them gain access to help with health, social programs, food security, love, equality and more.

This certainly has helped a lot, but seeing how their efforts continue and include more sustainable ways is like teaching them to fish. It's a good thing. You are doing awesome work Verde Creatives and Munting Hiling! 

Abhorred, Avoided and Unpopular: Affordable Divorce in the Philippines by KATE COSETENG

Admitting the causes she's supporting as "Unpopular", Quezon City 3rd District Councilor Kate Coseteng is not about to let down what she sees as necessary for women in the Philippines. She is the first representative of Kababaihan PartyList which aims to be the voice of women in congress to enact laws that would benefit the public. Their Second Nominee Ria Romualdo is a registered nurse, and has sternly supported their causes in childrens health and welfare, based in Mindanao.

 Kate is no stranger in creating laws as she's been a Quezon City Councilor for 3 terms, has done the same in Valenzuela City. She pushed for the creation of Quezon City University, dialysis centers, PWD concerns, and benefits for solo parents (something she is pretty well known for). She uttered unpopular because these are certain things that people don't accept, especially matters that concern divorce. She lengthily discussed this with us because of the things that women go through. 

If set in an abusive marriage, it may also be physical, emotional and economical. She's optimistic it will get passed if it doesn't contain certain conditions such as "irreconcilable differences" as it is too broad to define and be accepted by lawmakers. I saw how practical she was and deal it without emotions, much like business and a numbers game rather than having just a feisty disposition. She focusing on going into it with pride, curiosity, knowledge that the causes are important. If you don't know, it is extremely expensive to get an annulment in the Philippines and it is extremely an anti poor legislation. The plan is, to have divorce be afforded by folks of any stature. She mentioned it being paid for as much as 5,000 pesos, all in. This could definitely be a game changer for a lot of women who couldn't afford the annulment process if they are abused. 

The KABABAIHAN PartyList is also very aware of current issues, and would want to address working conditions for women who work at odd hours. Call Center agents, BPO, Nurses, Bartenders, Security Guards, and the likes, they feel should have a place to safely leave their kids while they are working to make a living. They want a Night Care Center to do this to also be a place for refuge for women who are victims of abuse, to also have them train for livelihood and business, also get legal and psychological help if needed. They also want to help create laws that would provide micro finance so women could put up small businesses to provide for their families. This includes financial literacy, for obvious reasons. They also want to push for reforms regarding the LGBTQIA+ sector, to provide a more general view of the equality they've been longing for. Something that they want to do with reforms, even if it means they would have to start from scratch. 

Kate says "If you see the things we have on our platform are severely unpopular. It's a bit heavy to digest, but these are legitimate issues in our society. For example divorce, since we are a very Catholic nation, it's super difficult to pass laws like it. We already have passed a version in congress, but it met its demise in the senate. This goes the same with the SOGIE Bill that has already spent 24 years since its inception. Senator Miriam Santiago first did this in the early 2000's, and when asked what I could help with their cause, they answered just "respect", so we made efforts to make it less polarizing when it is sent to the Senate. This would be more like an anti discrimination act that would be applicable for all including the LGBTQIA+ community. Baby steps, we can't just promise platforms and not have progress." 

Here's her talk if you want a more detailed understanding of it:

Unpopular, yes, but it feels so necessary for a LOT of people. It was super nice to hear all these from her and how passionate she wants it all to happen. Women remains a sector that is heavily under represented to this day. I know so many folks who would greatly benefit from the laws she mentioned especially with divorce for abused women.

Do you agree with her?