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.

Destiny Rose Continues To Bloom at GMA Afternoon Prime

Have you seen the latest episode of Destiny Rose? If not, then you are missing a lot. This story about a trans woman has already taken off beginning with his childhood. The pains of growing up in a very strict environment and a not so accepting Father Joselito Vergara Sr. played by Joko Diaz might be already taking strong effect on his psyche. Now that they're a bit older, the things about Ken Chan's role as Destiny Rose is slowly blooming. His love interest, Gabriele Antonioni played by Fabio Ide is surely going to turn love struck with her and in great fashion (hopefully to come very soon). This will grow the irk of Jasmine Flores played by Katrina Halili, and the envy is going become seriously disturbing as the days become near for that to happen.

They haven't really learned about Destiny Rose's persona yet and that'll be a little nervous to find out in the next few days. Ken Chan definitely takes this role seriously and with the events taking place, there are a lot of people ask how he was able to pull off being that gorgeously transformed and still be good looking like that (as seen on stills). Although, the most awaited part would still be how she's going to be unveiled as Destiny Rose (in future episodes). 

If you've seen his latest one yesterday, the story of his first heartbreak was just told and people on Twitter went crazy when Vince (played by hunky Jeric Gonzales) instead of making his dream come true, actually introduced his girl friend leaving Joey's heart broken. I could see Ken Chan portrayed that great, felt his pain, a mark of a very remarkable actor. Now, he doesn't mind how his Mom (played by Manilyn Reynes) would look at it now.. and perhaps take care of Joey while he recovers from this event next week. Somehow, you'll learn something real good when things like that happen. You'll become a stronger person in the long run because you've experienced things like these earlier. Still, it looks like he's going to believe in love and perhaps once Fabio Ide comes into the picture it'll be a different story. 

Soon you'll see the characters of Jackie Lou Blanco who plays Dahlia Flores, Sheena Halili as April Rose Vergara, JC Tiuseco as Lance, Ken Alfonso as Aris, Irma Adlawan as Bethilda, Michael De Mesa as Rosauro Armani Vitto, and more episodes with the great Migs Cuaderno as the Young Joey, Angel Aviles as Young April, Milkcah Wynne Nacion as the young Jasmine, plus Andrea Torres, Mike Tan and Yasmien Kurdi as they'll play a cameo role real soon as the lead star of Destiny Rose's novel called "Rainbow after the rain".

So make sure you watch Destiny Rose with me during GMA's Afternoon Prime. Ken Chan has definitely made waves, made people look at gender equality a different way after watching Destiny Rose on TV. I hope you learn a thing or two too! Follow their social media channels if you're into it, at www.facebook.com/GMADestinyRose, or www.twitter.com/GMADestinyRose.

For more information about their artists:

Official GMA Artist Center

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http://gmanetwork.com/artistcenter

Come Out For Love: The 2014 Metro Manila Pride March

We all have LGBT friends. Yesterday when I was in an event, I heard from a man seating in front of me reading aloud a text message he received anonymously, apparently containing some really ridiculous notions about the PINK Film Festival Trinoma, Quezon City and how it will turn the place into Sodom and Gomorrah if they don't stop it from showing films that contain things discussing LGBT on it. They've been fighting for years now, even straight people are supporting them, because ultimately they are seeing them as people, without prejudice to what color, shape or form they are. 

Unfortunately, there are still ignorant ones who ridiculously think spreading hate is the solution. We all want to fight for equality in the workplace, at home, and community - and that goes the same with the LGBT sector, they don't want special treatment, they just want what you and I are getting. Yesterday, whilst some government officials were undergoing HIV tests - it kind of struck a cord on me to think how many people are still getting that stigma, either from what they learn from backward thinking folks, or merely not understanding the whole problem at hand. There are a lot of things that contributed to HIV but most of it is because of unprotected thingy. 

Tonight, while I was going home from watching Chicago, I met a friend while heading to my place. He's part of the LGBT community and is part of the organizers of this year's pride march. Their theme this year is "Come Out For Love: The 2014 Metro Manila Pride March" and they're in need of support from everyone, LGBT or not, crooked or straight, to head onto Malate in Manila at 2PM. Please register at their event page here and invite yourself, your peers to support the cause. Their build up will start at 2PM and the march will start at 4PM today December 6 (TYPHOON OR NOT, RAIN OR SHINE, THEY HAVE A RAINBOW). All they need is your presence and support. A worthy cause I might add. Think of your friends, all those who have been part of the LGBT community and have done a great deal of good for you. This might be a nice way to give back. 

For more details please check their Pride March 2014 details here.

For more information about their event:

Metro Manila Pride

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Visit their official website

http://metromanilapride.com/