Metro Manila Pride Makes a Resounding Comeback to its Roots in Malate Takeover

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila Pride (MMPride), one of the pioneering Pride marches and festivals in Southeast Asia and the Philippines is making a historic return to its roots at Remedios Circle, Malate, Manila, on the last Saturday of Pride month, June 27, 2026. 

Popularly known for its vibrant nightlife, Remedios Circle was once a safe space and the bedrock of resistance for local queers in the nation’s capital. This year’s iteration of the Metro Manila Pride March and Festival centers on the theme “BUKAS, ATIN” (The Future is Ours / Open, It is Ours). 

Moving beyond simple calls for tolerance, “BUKAS, ATIN” is a declaration of community ownership over both history and futures, while doubling down on a radical commitment to keeping our spaces open to all. 

Rooted and Anchored on Community Realities 

As a fully volunteer-managed not-for-profit organization, Metro Manila Pride built this year’s campaign directly from the ground up.

The theme and multi-sectoral focus of “BUKAS, ATIN” are the direct result of its community listening and meetings that assessed the state of the community and aligned with what the grassroots community feels and needs. The data and insights gathered from these listening initiatives revealed an urgent, collective demand from LGBTQIA+ Filipinos for spaces that address not just identity, but survival. This highlights the deep intersections of queer life with economic strain, state violence, and systemic marginalization. 

In their resulting community manifesto, Metro Manila Pride and the local LGBTQIA+ community emphasize that a truly inclusive society requires more than conditional acceptance; it demands a culture of everyday rights, systemic protection, and structural safety for all LGBTQIA+ Filipinos. 

“We are taking back the narrative and reminding everyone that the queer struggle cannot be separated from the struggles of our workers, students, and marginalized communities. If our spaces are not open and safe for all, they are not truly free,” says MMPride Executive Director Wana Guevara. 

True pride is deeply intersectional, weaving broader socio-political demands into the fabric of the march to reflect the multi-sectoral realities of queer Filipinos from different walks of life and struggles. 

“Returning to Manila is a deliberate choice to honor our history while actively mobilizing for a safer, genuinely inclusive future,” MMPride Deputy Executive Director and Overall Co-Coordinator MJ Catequista explained. 

“Remedios Circle isn’t just a backdrop; it is a reminder of where our collective community care and visibility fought for its early ground. With BUKAS, ATIN, we are asserting that our spaces, our stories, and the laws meant to protect us belong to us,” he added.

The day-long event will bridge historic protest with radical joy through a lineup of community-centered activities, kicking off at 10 AM with the festival grounds opening, featuring a Proud Street Bazaar and dedicated Eduk Hangouts. 

EdukHangouts and Community Area 

Launching alongside the festival grounds in the morning, MMPride has dedicated a space to amplify grassroots initiatives, human rights desks, and community organizations providing essential services, education, and advocacy resources. 

These spaces will anchor the community’s demands for economic and democratic justice, pushing for calls on a liveable wage, accessible education, and systemic accountability. 

A key highlight of the morning program includes special back-to-back educational sessions. As such:

• 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | History of Pride: An exploration of the roots of the Philippine Pride movement led by Palanca award-winning writer Lakan Umali. 
• 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Pride Situationer: A comprehensive look into the current socio-political landscape and systemic state of LGBTQIA+ Filipinos, led by Bahaghari spokesperson Yell Teresa. 

The main stage then opens with solidarity speakers and early cultural performances, setting the socio-political context and uniting various advocacy sectors, spanning arts and culture, public health, good governance, youth, environmental justice, and human rights. 

The main program also culminates in a vibrant main stage afternoon and evening showcase celebrating the diversity and resilience of the local movement. 

The program features high-octane performances, a closing DJ set, and crucial solidarity speeches from grassroots leaders representing sectors and various advocacies, alongside a keynote address from staunch allies in the legislative and local governments.

The stellar lineup of hosts, performers, drag artists, and cultural workers features: Andy Crocker, Angel Galang, Harong Queens, Inah Demons, J Quinn, Ja Quintana, Malayaugh, Panthera, Sabrina Lynxx, Sol, TFX, David “Chix” Yatco, Dax, Jy Marie, Mama Buu, Michael Bristol, Nyel, and Pura Luka Vega to name a few. 

The Metro Manila Pride March 

Its core program brings the creative and resistant community-led march braving the streets of Malate, Manila. 

The march serves as a loud, collective demand for the immediate passage of the long-stalled SOGIESC Equality Bill and the strict implementation of local anti-discrimination ordinances. It will also stand as an urgent protest to End Transfemicide and protect queer lives from hate-fueled violence, carrying diverse calls from grassroots organizations representing labor, youth, and environmental justice. 

Organized in partnership with Manila City and the Department of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts of Manila (DTCAM), this year’s festival aims to spark vital policy and cultural momentum. 

Metro Manila Pride calls on the public, the media, and lawmakers to look toward the horizon, not just to look forward to a celebration, but to commit to building a society where safety is absolute, rights are non-negotiable, and the future truly belongs to everyone.