VERDE CREATIVES Hold "Rainbow Voices: Mga Mukha at Boses ng Bahaghari" Event

June is Pride Month and with the way things are now, it has to be reiterated, that the occasion is and still is a protest.

It was an opportune time to talk about what the current status of primary concerns are of the community. This is why the folks from Verde Creatives held an event called "Rainbow Voices: Mga Mukha at Boses ng Bahaghari" (The Faces and Voices of the Rainbow). The platform seeks to have a place for community members to talk about what is important, like the good and bad things about what is happening with the LGBTQIA+,  brothers and sisters, and the phenomenal horrors on why the SOGIESC Equality bill is still not approved. 

I asked them bluntly about how it might have been all frustrating, and they said a resounding YES. Though they assured me, they never will get tired. They promise to continue the fight, but it has to be an effort done with YOU, me and the rest of the community. It'll have a huge impact when we do things together, and I've seen it happen in recent years. I'm glad it's not just the bad things that were discussed, but the good things too. 

Here's the talk on video, this was held at the Dark Roast Coffee House in Maginhawa Street, so listen in!

Verde Creatives very own Ms. Bemz Benedito, Ms. Gigi Marie Garcia of the Society of Trans Women of the Philippines (STRAP), Mx. Patrick Espino of LADLAD Partylist, Ms. Venus Ancheta-Lane, an HR Professional who is also part of the Society of Trans Women of the Philippines (STRAP), and Atty. Juliane Paul Tabarangao shared their expertise on the topic to explain where we are and how we are with regards to the causes we need to support.

Ms. Bemz reiterated "LGBT rights, trans rights are human rights. It is still not being accepted, just tolerated. It is important to celebrate Pride, it is a protest, it is important to discuss it, in platforms like Verde, to have a place to discuss things that may not be allowed in public. Thanks for giving us the voice, for letting us fight, to give solutions, but even if the faces have changed, we need to support the cause to protect LGBT or us Filipinos."

Ms. Gigi Marie Garcia adds "It's time for Trans people to change their name, markers and legal ID's for legal gender recognition. This would be a big help and our coalition will be pushing for legislation, government support for the passage of SOGIE bill. We hope this would be enacted as law, while we partner with more people to support our cause. Preferred names and gender identity is important for government transactions, and with it, we get recognized including the non binary individuals too. Our trans sisters even get offloaded because of it. STRAP hold sessions and hear so many stories about it, but names affirm the persona of the person."

Patrick Espino also shared "June is Pride month, but it has been used so many times that it is starting to be used. At times, they still call us names, but where are we now, still not where we want to be. Hate must be eradicated, it must be stopped."

While we are making progress as a society, there is still a long way to go. This effort by Verde Creatives is a really huge help to make those issues and put those points across. I hope this would put an even better perspective on letting all us know where we are, and perhaps find more ways on how we can help. I love how they pointed out that these issues are not designed to mock or put aside the fun during Pride events, because we need to celebrate our huge and small wins. 

Happy PRIDE!

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! 

LADLAD PL, STRAP and VERDE Creatives Issue Statement of Support and Call for Action

A few days ago, we got to participate in a talk amongst some of our trans sisters, Ladlad Partylist, Verde Creatives, STRAP, and Commission on Human Rights, about the real issues they go through in life, and even in death which have marred their gender identity, done personal or otherwise especially by media practitioners and government workers.

Using their preferred pronouns should be fundamental, and while I don't forget this part when I write, a lot of tabloid and newspaper writers and editors continue to do that which not only feels hurtful for them, but severely invalidating. 

This is why Verde Creatives, STRAP, Ladlad Partylist and trans organizations have issued a statement about this. It's time we change things to not only promote inclusivity, but put respect especially for transpinays. Not to force, but to consider and put a spotlight and give what is due them. 

In 2025, oppression has no place in society. I'd like to send my support for not jus their cause but simply their human rights. I am also for the passage of the SOGIESC Bill, which has been filed over 26 years ago. That's an adult, and they only ask for equal rights, nothing special, which is mind boggling to say the least.

The talk was certainly a nice venue to explain procedures, on media, social media and the choices we make. I fervently hope people would NOT turn a blind eye about what they are fighting for. Be aware of Live/Dead names, understand that Transpinay lives are also human lives. All they ask is to be treated as equals.

VERDE Creatives Starts "Equality Champions: Magandang Laban" Pride Month Exhibit

I dread the commercialization of holidays, and June as Pride Month is no exception. Just like them, I feel it should be celebrated everyday. It should be celebrated, but not forget the reason why it is being done. There have been countless lives that have fought for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ sector, and that still is being done to this day. With the non passage of the SOGIE Equality bill alone in the Philippines, there has been progress, but still, a long way to go.

Verde Creatives thought of bringing organizations together to start putting a face on the LGBTQIA+ cause. It's high time to get people see their valiant efforts and set an example on why they now need to be seen. After 25 years of having the SOGIE Bill in the congress and senate, it still hasn't been passed. What's funny is that their call is only for EQUALITY. The same right that every Juan and Juana enjoys, and even compromised on a lot of the sections of the bill. Seeing it be discussed every year is tiring, and these individuals are now presenting themselves, simply to note that there are real people behind the cause. 

Ms. Bemz of Verde Creatives says "We are being left behind and we have a long path ahead. In this photo campaign, we have several of our peers and allies including Senator Loren Legarda, Representative Geraldine Roman, Lenlen Alonte, Kababaihan Partylist Kate Coseteng and more. This includes various LGBT associations to join us in this campaign. We are putting these brave faces to make sure we involve ourselves in a very worthy cause."

Vashti of the Society of Trans Women in the Philippines (STRAP) says "I'm excited for this campaign as it showcases our experience, including Ms. Bemz and Verde Creatives, to support bills in congress so we can claim our rights. It should not stop our cause, including the SOGIE bill."

Ang Ladlad Partylist lead Dexter Macaldo adds "Equality champions in images brings stories of strength, of who you are, showing your beauty and individuality. This is to strengthen the LGBT voice, to bring change. This collaboration hopes to inspire others to also show their truth, in a more accepting society. Thank you Verde Creatives and other organizations for being here."

Ms. Maria Barbie Arcache of 1LGBT Pilipinas says "I would like to congratulate this event, it's something really amazing. I've known you for decades and in my life, I didn't think it's just pageants, but there's more to that. You can share that beauty in your heart, in 2 and a half decades, I've done pageants and now that I'm retired, I still want to share that advocacy. We cannot be stagnant, we need to fill that space and find your purpose in this world. We are here to move and shake the world, in the aspects of human rights. It's about time we show our faces. I am proud to be part of this campaign, we are all proud to be human and masterpieces of God."

Here's the press conference on video:

Here's a showcase of the photos they unveiled that evening:

 

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This is just the start of even more things they plan to do to push for the great causes they want to support. They'll be front, center, and putting their own faces to fight for the rights of LGBTQIA+ folks, to make sure there will be no stopping til equality happens, and their rights be given. 

This event was held at the Dark Roast Coffeehouse in Maginhawa. A great ally for the cause.