The vibrant colors and talents of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities took center stage as the Singkaban Festival celebrated both inclusivity and cultural heritage and crowned the province's first ever La Baklakenya 2024 beauty at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in Malolos, Bulacan on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
PRIDE BEAUTIES – Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro (center) poses with the LGBT Bulacan Federation headed by its President Peter John T. Dionisio and Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Officer Dr. Eliseo S. Cruz during the celebration of Bulacan Gay Pride Gala night at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center, City of Malolos, Bulacan on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (Freddie Velez)
Crowned La Baklakenya 2024 was Izza Galvez of the City of Malolos. Galvez received a P10,000 cash prize and also won the Tradisyonal na Kasuotang Baklakenya and Talento Baklakenya awards with P2,000.
The pageant, launched through the Bulacan Gay Pride 2024, was attended by various LGBTQ+ federations with more than 500 members, joining forces to promote equality throughout the province.
Also crowned were Anjo ‘Sofia’ Bautista of Bocaue as La Baklakenya Turismo with P7,000 cash prize and Kasuotan Panlangoy award with P2,000; Lian Tadeo from Bustos as La Baklakenya Sining at Kultura with P5,000 cash prize, Harlin Budol of the City of Meycauayan as La Baklakenya Kasaysayan with P3,000 cash prize, and Jane De Leon of Plaridel as Saya La Baklakenya with P2,000 cash pize.
Additionally, Creative Guild of Marilao was recognized as the Most Active Club and Bahaghari de Mayumo of San Miguel as the Most Compliant Club, each received P10,000 cash prize, while John Carlo Manahan of San Miguel was honored as the Most Compliant Secretary, Eduard Raymundo of Marilao as the Most Active President, and Miguel Migs Delos Reyes of San Miguel as the Most Compliant President. They took home a P5,000 cash prize each.
Governor Daniel R. Fernando vowed his continuing support for the LGBTQ+ community by doubling the number of scholars to two per barangay.
LGBTQ+ Bulacan Federation President Peter John T. Dionisio announced the recent approval of a resolution providing one LGBTQIA+ scholar per barangay in the province.
Fernando conveyed his admiration and support for the LGBTQ+ community, saying that its members hold a special place in his heart for their natural talent and the joy they bring to the communities.
“Ano mang anyo ng mukha at pag-ibig, ito ay dapat na ipinagdiriwang, ibinabahagi at ipinadarama. Iisa lamang ang hiling ng bawat isa, ang kalayaang magmahal at mahalin, malayo sa mapanghusgang mata ng ating lipunan. Kaya naman magkakapit-bisig ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan at LGBTQ+ community sa pagsusulong ng peace, unity, and gender equality,” (However one looks and how he views love, it should be celebrated, shared, and felt. Everyone wants only one thing - the freedom to love and be loved, away from the judgmental and prying eyes of the public. That is why the Provincial Government of Bulacan and the LGBTQ+ community joined hands in promoting peace, unity, and gender equality)," the governor said.
Several members of the LGBTQ+ also performed the Rigodon De Honor, an elegant and sophisticated dance brought to the Philippines by Filipinos who had traveled abroad during the Spanish period.