The Guilds

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐬' 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 — 𝐋𝐆𝐁𝐓𝐐+ 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩

Following a low turnout at Pride Celebration 2026, organizers of Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) urged participants to help spread LGBTQIA+ inclusion beyond the campus and into wider communities during the event held on June 29 at the Sari-Gamit Court, Main Campus.

Anchored on the theme “Marching for Equality, Speaking for Rights,” the event featured a creative pride march and pride talks, as spearheaded by Office of the Student Regent and POSE: House of Iris.

However, the significantly limited participation prompted POSE:House of Iris President Kennet Arcayos to stress that awareness efforts should extend beyond the event, encouraging attendees to help broaden conversations on LGBTQIA+ inclusion within and outside the campus.

“Siguro, given that our participants is not that large this year, siguro my key takeaway is that maging ripple sila. Maging ripple sila to form a bigger wave onto the other, mapalaboob man ng BPSU or mapalabas man ng BPSU,” Arcayos said.

This was also addressed during the forum discussions, where speakers reinforced the importance of recognizing LGBTQIA+ rights and addressing discrimination within the institution.

Mx. Mj Lagnason shared personal reflections on navigating identity as an LGBTQIA+ student, speaking about the challenges and needs in fostering a more inclusive campus community.

“Makikipaglaban po tayo hangga’t meron po tayong mga kapatid na naaapi. Makikipaglaban pa din po tayo dahil biktima pa rin tayo ng walang pagkakapantay-pantay. Mahirap, mayaman, bading, lalaki, babae, tomboy, kung ano pa man, mayroon tayong karapatan sa bawat isa at ligtas tayo sa bansang ating sinilangan,” Lagnason said.

Meanwhile, Student Affairs and Services Office (SASO) Director Khristina Anne Dimarucut-Ama discussed SOGIESC 101 and the BPSU Safe Spaces Policy, emphasizing students’ rights, protection mechanisms, and available institutional support services for cases involving discrimination and gender harassment.

Also, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) Nomer Varua enlightened participants on intersex identities emphasizing that it is a natural biological variation that should be met with understanding and inclusion rather than stigma.

The discussions were followed by an open forum segment where participants engaged directly with the speakers and organizers, raising issues related to LGBTQIA+ rights, campus policies, and inclusive practices within the university.

“Sana maging key takeaway nila na talagang this is a serious matter, na hindi lang talaga ito pinagtatawanan, ang kabaklaan hindi lamang pang entertainment, na we are also a human being, sana makita nila yun na mabigyan nila ng halaga yung kapwa nila,” Arcayos ended.

Report by Angel Leaño
Photos by Alkine Legaspi and Psalm Tolentino

[𝐅𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐘𝐀]

𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫

There are people who still weigh every word before they speak, every gesture before they make it, and every truth before they share it. For many, being themselves has never been without consequences. Behind every celebration are years of exclusion, discrimination, and voices that refused to disappear even when the world insisted they should. Pride was never born from comfort. It was born from resistance.

And yet, resistance has always found its way into the streets. Colors do not exist only in parades or waving flags. They live in quiet neighborhoods, in the smallest alleys, and in people who continue to exist despite being told not to. They are easy to miss, but they have always been there. Some are still forced to hide parts of themselves, but the rainbow has never been a destination. It has always been a promise that there is a place where they can be seen without fear.

That is the essence of Pride. Not merely the celebration of those who can already live openly, but the quiet promise that those still living in silence will not remain there forever. It is the belief that no one should have to trade authenticity for acceptance, or safety for identity. It carries the hope that one day, every hidden color will find the freedom to exist in the open, without fear or shame.

Words and Photos by Tayshaun Ecaldre