BAGUIO CITY — The first Baguio Equality Expo welcomed a series of events, contests, and films commemorating the diversity and inclusivity of the LGBTQIA+ community at the Baguio Convention Center from June 14 to June 15.
The Baguio Equality Expo was a two-day event held at the Baguio Convention Center as a milestone in conducting its first-ever pride convention held in the city in relation to Pride Month every June.
Its first day began with an opening program spearheaded by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Aloysius Mapalo, with messages and remarks from multiple representatives, including ASEAN SOGIE Caucus Executive Director Ryan Silverio, and Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan, Head of Arts from the British Council.
The Trans Global Queens from Thailand, Philippines, and Brazil also expressed their gratitude and inspiring messages in line with the theme “Pagbisol ng Bituin na Ikaw”.
“I came all the way to the Philippines here, in Baguio specifically because of Equality Expo in Baguio, so I want to make my memory here because I know that ‘pride’ and LGBT rights is one of my purpose,” Miss Trans Global 2023 Piano Sarocha from Thailand mentioned in an interview.
It was followed by the ribbon cutting to officiate the opening of the event, with the event organizers, representatives of the LGBTQIA+ community, and city officials leading the ceremony.
A conference titled “Pride 104: The Power of Visibility and Representation” began in the afternoon, before a total of seven films were screened for free.
The second day of the event resumed with eight films projected in the morning before the events continued on.
Sync-Kafez: Battle of the Starzz began in the afternoon where the participants emulated famous celebrities’ styles and lip-synced on of their famous songs while the judging of a competition titled PaDOLLVougean: Baguio NatCos Doll Competition continued.
It was concluded with the awarding of those competitions and finalized with the coronation of Miss Trans Global Philippines. By Dessa Joi Peralta
