30 June 2018 Marikina City
"Rise Up Together" This photo was a candid shot by one of my closest friends last 30th of June in 2018. We were under the sun celebrating the pride month with hundreds of allies and members of the LGBTQIA+ Community in Marikina City. This was actually my second time to march for equality rights and I promised myself that every year I will try not to miss out a single pride month. Looking at the photo, I was waving my rainbow cape which was made by my mother's amiga, her name is Lina. I asked her if she could also make four rainbow flags since she has a sewing machine. Of course, I paid her and the excess cloth from the cape was used for the flags. I have always wanted to own a rainbow flag ever since I knew to myself that I am part of the community. I want to be bold enough to stand for our rights, brave enough to help end the stigma in the Philippines, so I march every year. When we came to Marikina Sports Center, I gave away two rainbow flags to strangers because all stores that sell pride merch were sold out already. If I am not mistaken, the participants went up to 7,700 which tripled in the year 2019. I am grateful to be part of the population, to be able to march with different kinds of people in the spectrum. There were a lot of performers too who came from different parts of the country, who shared their coming-out stories which inspired me a lot. However, as I am out and proud of my friends, I am still in the closet with my family — waiting for the perfect timing to finally feel validated. Nevertheless, it was a lovely experience indeed.
