University News

First-ever PUP Rainbow Festival held

Piolo Cudal, Aaron Ernest Cruz, News, PUP Campus Journalists

Carrying their collective resistance to gender-based violence and discrimination, the PUP Gender and Development Office (GADO) organized the first-ever PUP Rainbow Festival on Wednesday, June 19, to register profound calls for gender equity, diversity, and social inclusion.

The festival started with a rainbow parade inside the university campus, joined by BAHAGHARI PUP, KASARIANLAN, WISDOM PUP, and other members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community waving their flags of color.

Themed “Sari-saring Kasarian, Mapagpalayang Sintang Paaralan,” the one-day event marked part of the celebration of PUP’s 120th founding anniversary, featuring three major activities: PUP Rainbow Fair, PUP Rainbow Parade, and Queerchella.

Vice President for Research, Extension, and Development Dr. Anna Ruby P. Gapasin graced the stage by underscoring the event’s objective—that this is not a celebration but a relentless fight to end discrimination, violence, and marginalization that perpetuates in society.

She added by noting the importance of the collective approach of the university, explaining that “Nasimulan na natin ito sa inilabas na Executive Order (EO) No. 7 s. 2023, o ang PUP Gender Policy at E.O. No. 20 s. 2023, o ang PUP Diversity and Inclusion Policy. Ang bawat kulay ay representasyon ng kung gaano ka-diverse at inclusive ang ating Sintang Paaralan. At ang bawat isa ay bahagi ng napakagandang bahaghari, kung saan ang lahat ay ligtas ay malayang maipahayag ang kanilang kasarian at mamuhay ng naaayon sa kanilang tunay na pagkatao.”

(“We have started this with the issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 7 s. 2023, or the PUP Gender Policy, and EO No. 20 s. 2023, the PUP Diversity and Inclusion Policy. Each color represents how diverse and inclusive our Sintang Paaralan is. Each one is part of a beautiful rainbow, where everyone is safe and free to express their gender and live according to their true selves.”)

In a solidarity message delivered by GADO Director Jerome Permejo, University President Dr. Manuel Muhi expressed enthusiasm for the university’s commitment to creating a “truly inclusive environment.”

“Isang lugar kung saan ang lahat ay nararamdaman nang suportado, iginagalang at may kapangyarihan na maging tunay na sarili. Sa lahat ng LGBTQIA+ na estudyante, tandaan ito: Hindi kayo nag-iisa. There’s a whole community behind you, cheering on you. Be proud, be bold, and keep shining your light,” he said.

(“A place where everyone feels supported, respected, and empowered to be their true selves. To all LGBTQIA+ students, remember this: You are not alone.”)

Muhi also encouraged allies to use the festival as an opportunity to learn, listen, and be united, creating a PUP that celebrates “diversity” and fosters a “culture of acceptance” for everyone.

To amplify the message of rights and genuine freedom, the University Oval was also filled with various campaign booths from partner organizations, advocacy performances, and solidarity messages from allied individuals of people with diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sexual Characteristics (SOGIESC).

Production collective: ‘Makibeki, huwag mashokot!’
Representatives from different student organizations and formations also relayed their calls, through solidarity messages, for genuine gender freedom that is far from violence and discrimination.

Sandro Atillano from Angat Iskolar PUP and the Office of the Student Regent (OSR) highlighted that Pride is a month of commemoration, stemming from the historic Stonewall Uprising protests decades ago.

Atillano also asserted that it is a “continuous, relentless, and without an end struggle” for rights and justice, emphasizing the demand for equality, not just tolerance and acceptance.

“Ang Pride ay hindi lang tungkol sa pagiging masaya o malaya, ito ay tungkol sa pag-angat ng boses at pagtatahimik, at pinatahimik ng mga taong pinilit magtago at mga taong hindi tinanggap ng lipunan dahil sa kanilang kasarian o sekswalidad...At gaya ng sabi ni Electra, hinding-hindi tayo humihingi ng respeto sa kanila, we will demand it. You will not tell me that you accept me, you will not tell me that you tolerate me, that is not your power, because you will respect me for who I am,” Atillano said in his solidarity message.

(“Pride is not just about happiness or freedom; it’s about amplifying voices and advocating for the rights of those who have long been forced to hide and rejected by society because of their sexuality. As Electra said, we are not asking for respect, we will demand it. You will not tell me that you accept me or tolerate me, that is not your power, because [regardless] you will accept me for who I am.” )

Closing the Queerchella segment, gender-based and allied student organizations staged a mobilization to reiterate that Pride Month is not all about rainbows and confetti, as noted by BAHAGHARI PUP Secretary-General Ulap Baylon, but rather a struggle—a protest towards genuine freedom for those who have been exploited.

Groups also reminded the passage of the long-overdue SOGIESC Equality Bill, the outdated policy of EARIST that further perpetuates discrimination, and the case of Pura Lika Vega that instilled a chilling effect in self-expression, and the murder of Jennifer Laude, all while echoing their calls that justice must be served.

“Ito ay hindi lamang sa loob ng ating pamantasan, kaakibat nito ay ang pagtungo sa piling ng maralita sa lansangan, ang mga manggagawa sa pagawaan, at mga magsasaka sa kanayunan. Higit na dahilan kung bakit kailangan magmulat, mag-organisa, at magpakilos ng mga militante at makabayang LGBT,” Baylon asserted.

(“This is not confined within our university, this entails reaching out to the marginalized, workers and farmers in the countryside. This emphasizes the need to raise awareness, organize, and mobilize militant and patriotic LGBT individuals.”)

Steps toward inclusivity
Through a video message, Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, Risa Hontiveros delivered her solidarity speech, ensuring the LGBTQIA+ community that she will continuously work to pass the SOGIESC bill into law.

She also shared updates on the progress of the bill, such as the Senate Majority Leader’s promise to review it, Local Government Units (LGUs)’s initiative to implement ordinances protecting the LGBTQIA+ community from discrimination, and the committee report garnering 18 signatures.

Meanwhile, students see the event as a significant contribution to enlightening others about the issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in today’s society, especially for students within that community. The event also enables them to showcase and embrace their true selves, aiming to establish a safe space.

Reynon Alegre, a Broadcasting student, considered the event essential as it calls for action to foster diversity and create safe spaces for individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community, all while advocating for the passage of the SOGIESC bill into law.

“SOGIESC kasi it is really a complicated topic and it needs comprehensive explanation, and through this event, I think people would be able to understand what SOGIESC really is and in a way, they would also inspire [everyone] to be resilient,” Alegre observed.

(SOGIESC is really a complicated topic and it needs comprehensive explanation, and through this event, I think people would be able to understand what SOGIESC really is, and in a way, they would also inspire [everyone] to be resilient)

Jerome Permejo concluded the event by quoting a line from RuPaul’s Drag Race: “In honor of the great tradition of Paris is burning, the libraries [are] now officially open because reading is fundamental.”

He encouraged everyone to embrace reading, reflecting on drag artists’ culture of using intellect for commentary and critique, rather than engaging in barbaric acts like physical altercations and unnecessary displays of violence.

“Let’s continue na magbigay ng komento, ng feedback because the moment na mawala yung mga bagay na iyon ay mamamatay ang diskurso, mamamatay ang ating kalayaan. Kaya naman I encourage everyone hindi lang ngayong buwan ng Pride sa lagi’t lagi araw-araw mag-continue tayo magread. Let’s read everyone at maging kritikal sa ating lipunan,” Permejo concluded.

(Let’s continue to give comments, feedbacks because the moment we lose these things, the discourse and our freedom shall perish. That is why I encourage, not just in Pride month, to read every day. Let’s read everyone and be critical to our society.)