LOV3LABAN 2025 at the University of the Philippines-Diliman proved that the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in the Philippines has evolved from street protests to institutional partnerships, and the results were nothing short of spectacular.
Here’s my experience.
Arrival
Arriving around 1 p.m., I expected the usual Pride chaos. But to my surprise, there was no traffic snaking toward campus, with plenty of parking spaces still available.
This stress-free arrival was my first hint that organizers had delivered on their promise of a “Safer, Bolder, Bigger” festival. To be honest, the seamless logistics made all the difference.
Collaboration
For the first time, Pride had full support from three powerful groups: Pride PH Coalition, Quezon City government, and UP Diliman.
“For years, QC has stood as a proud ally of the LGBTQIA+ community—not merely in words but through concrete policies and programs that truly champion gender equality. We are happy to host this festival once again as a testament to our support for the community’s fight for equal rights and celebration of their love and identities”
The message was clear: those in power weren’t just opening doors—they were welcoming everyone inside.
The Celebration
The UP Oval was filled with energy and people gathering to march. There were over 350 booths lining the area. The booths were composed of organizations sharing their causes, food stalls offering relief from the afternoon heat, and merchants selling everything rainbow-colored.
The atmosphere was incredible. Everyone was so friendly, creating an instant sense of community that made you feel like you belonged.
Fashion as Resistance
The fashion was amazing—everyone looked so stylish. The Oval basically turned into a runway where every outfit told a story.
In a country where the SOGIE Equality Bill has been stalled for over two decades, wearing your truth isn’t just fashion—it’s rebellion. Every bold look, every splash of color was a statement of identity and a demand for equality.
The Numbers
The growth tells the story of a movement that’s reached critical mass:
- 2022: 25,000 attendees
- 2023: 110,752 attendees
- 2024: 200,000+ attendees
- 2025: ~250,000 attendees
This isn’t just a parade anymore. It’s a show of force that politicians can no longer ignore.
Gallery
Here are some photos from Pride 2025.
Leaving with Hope
By 4 p.m., my friends and I made the smart choice to head out early to avoid the post-event traffic rush. Though we missed the Pride Night concert, we left with hearts full, having absorbed the day’s incredible energy.
We celebrated and stood in solidarity. The feeling I carried home was pure hope. It felt like we were part of something that would change everything.
The Fight Continues
Behind every rainbow flag was a reminder: this celebration exists because the work isn’t done.
The SOGIE Equality Bill is the longest-running bill in Philippine history and it remains unsigned. But with a quarter-million people proving that support for equality is now mainstream, the pressure has never been greater.
Conclusion
For someone who’s been to multiple Pride events, this was hands down the best Pride experience I’ve ever had.
LOV3LABAN 2025 wasn’t just a party—it was a promise. A promise that the fight for a Philippines where every person can live and love without fear isn’t just a dream, but an inevitability.
The revolution isn’t coming. It’s here, it’s colorful, and it’s 250,000 strong.