BAGUIO CITY – The Amianan Pride Council (APC), in collaboration with Baguio Flowers Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) and the City Government of Baguio, successfully pulled off the first-ever Mardi Gras at the Lake: A Festival of Living Colors simultaneous with the 15th Pride Parade, last Sunday, February 19, 2023.
Unique, glorious, and creative costumes worn by our LGBTQIA+ Community graced the streets as the Mardi Gras started with a parade starting from The Post Office Loop, down to Session Road, turning round to Harrison Road leading towards Burnham Lake, where the actual program proper commenced.
The celebration of the Mardi Gras included the 15th Pride Parade, which they annually celebrate in November but moved to February of this year.
In the program’s opening ceremony, Van Sanchez, APC Chairperson, stated that this is the first time Baguio Flowers Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) sponsored an event of Mardi Gras to give a chance to the LGBTQIA+ Community. Sanchez furthered its aim of showcasing the Community’s creativity, talent, and skills.
However, Sanchez pointed out this will be the first and last Pride Parade coinciding with the Panagbenga.
She revealed that the BFFFI set some guidelines that limited their participation in the parade,
since they aimed to protest their advocacy by fighting for their rights by raising awareness with placards and giving liberation to their Community.
“Hindi masyadong na-raise yung voice ng LGBT community parang nagkaroon lang tayo ng parade ng panagbenga, which is ang lgbt pride march is a pride and protest wherein dapat doon mo mismo ipakita ang uniqueness, social inclusivity and marami silang ipinagbawal.”
(The voice of the LGBT community was not raised, as if we just had a parade for Panagbenga. Which is the LGBT Pride March is supposed to be a pride and protest wherein you can show one’s uniqueness, social inclusivity and a lot of those were banned,)
Further, she added, unlike the previous march, various organizations and men in uniform could not attend because they needed to wear costumes as a requirement for the Mardi Gras.
Further, she added, unlike the previous march, various organizations and men in uniform could not attend because they needed to wear costumes as a requirement for the Mardi Gras.
In an earlier interview, City Tourism Officer Alec Mapalo explained that the activity was a special request of the LGBTQIA+ so that they could showcase their talents.
The program then proceeded with the contest proper, with the 24 contestants flaunting their costumes and moves, impressing the three judges.
Among the 24 participants, the first place was awarded to Entry no. 16, also known as Shiva Rivera, who hailed from La Trinidad, Benguet. She also received prize money worth 35,000 pesos for her exceptional and creative props and costume.
The 2nd place, with 20,000 pesos prize money, was awarded to Entry no. 13, while the 3rd place, with 10,000 pesos prize money, was awarded to Entry no. 14.
Mardi Gras is a traditional celebration that dates back centuries ago, commonly celebrated a day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi is the French word for “Tuesday,” and gras means “fat.” People worldwide learned to incorporate various activities and elements to make their versions of Mardi Gras. It is the city’s first time witnessing Mardi Gras, and it hopes to continue celebrating it in the following years. By Via Fronda & Graysheil Frae Runes
