Reigning Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo (left) and 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach/CHELSEA MANALO FACEBOOK PHOTO
The throngs of homosexual males who trooped to Pleasure Evening 2024 had been handled to a parade of their “idols” when reigning Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo and 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach graced the annual celebration of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and others) neighborhood.
The merrymaking occurred on the Bridgetowne Open Grounds in Pasig Metropolis on June 1, the primary day of LGBTQIA+ Pleasure Month, and noticed hundreds of individuals in the neighborhood and their allies engaged in actions and having fun with this system.
The occasion was mounted by the LoveYourself Philippines, a nonprofit group that seeks to empower people by way of self-affirmation, and packages that deal with urgent points that the neighborhood faces. Wurtzbach has been one among its ambassadors who has stayed on for a few years and continues to lend her fame for its initiatives.
Garbed in a chartreuse ensemble with lengthy fringes hooked up to an asymmetrical neckline, Wurtzbach took the stage carrying the LGBTQIA+ rainbow flag, which she waved so valiantly earlier than the viewers. “Joyful Pleasure! Maraming maraming salamat sa pagpunta n’yo dito. Ansayang tignan na nagsasama-sama tayo (Thanks very a lot for coming right here. It’s so completely happy to see us all collectively) for this, June 1, kickoff ng (of) Pleasure Month. I’m so proud to be an ally, and I’m so proud to be right here, to be with all of you,” she stated.
Pia Wurtzbach waves the LGBTQIA+ flag./MISSOSOLOGY FACEBOOK PHOTO
“Sabi ko hindi pwedeng ma-miss ko itong araw na ito. Gusto ko kayong makita, gusto ko kayong makasama, gusto kong makisaya. Kaya maraming salamat sa pagpunta. Kahit na medyo mainit, okay lang, maganda pa rin tayong lahat (I stated I mustn’t miss this present day. I wish to see you, I wish to be with you, I wish to rejoice. So thanks very a lot for coming. Even when it’s a bit sizzling, it’s okay, all of us are nonetheless lovely),” the wonder queen stated.
Wurtzbach additionally requested the individuals to assist Manalo, in addition to 2025 Miss Supranational Tarah Valencia who additionally got here to the occasion, as the 2 women embark on their respective worldwide competitions. “Nakakatuwang makitang dumadami na tayong mga allies, marami nang mga magnificence queen ang nagiging advocate na rin ng LGBTQIA+ neighborhood. At hindi na lang ako, hindi na lang si Catriona [Gray, 2018 Miss Universe], madami na kami (It’s a delight to see the allies rising, so many magnificence queens have gotten LGBTQIA+ neighborhood advocates. And it’s not simply me, not simply Catriona, there are a lot of of us),” she declared.
The worldwide magnificence titleholder and international vogue influencer reminded that individuals in attendance that Pleasure Month isn’t solely a celebration, and raised the challenges nonetheless confronted by members of the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood, comparable to stigma and discrimination.
Wurtzbach additionally referred to as on the allies, or cisgender people who stand beside the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood, to proceed elevating consciousness and increasing assist. “Tuwing could pinagdadaanan ang (When there are challenges going through the) LGBTQIA+ neighborhood, it’s the allies which are there to assist battle for the trigger, to assist battle for the rights, to assist battle for his or her presence. So, maraming salamat sa lahat ng allies, at sana dumami pa tayo (Thanks very a lot to all of the allies, could we develop in quantity),” she stated.
She stated being an ally isn’t just for celebrities or highly effective individuals, and informed the viewers that everybody can assist, no matter their standing in society could also be. “[Kapag] could nakikita na kayo sa harap n’yo na one thing na nangyayari na hindi honest, na merong sitwasyon na pwede ka sanang makatulong sa iyong LGBTQIA+ kababayan (If you one thing taking place earlier than you that’s not honest, that there’s a state of affairs the place you’ll be able to assist your LGBTQIA+ compatriot), member of the household, kaibigan, tulungan natin sila. Simulan natin iyan sa bahay. Huwag tayong pumayag na gawing biro na gumagamit ng (good friend, allow us to assist them. Allow us to begin at residence. We should always not enable for use as jokes) slurs, tanggalin na natin iyan, hindi na dapat iyan tanggap ngayon (allow us to take away that, it shouldn’t be acceptable now),” she stated.
“Let’s educate different individuals and make them perceive that it is a neighborhood for all. It’s not a ‘you vs. me,’ it’s all of us. Please begin at residence, begin with your mates, in the event you really feel na ‘wala namang matutulong ito,’ hindi (‘this could not assist,’ no), as a result of iyong tinutulungan mo na iyan, lalakas ang loob niyan, at isang araw siya naman ang could matutulungang iba (that particular person you’re serving to will turn out to be stronger, and someday they would be the one serving to others),” Wurtzbach stated.
She additionally requested the neighborhood and the allies to soldier on, not simply this month, however to additionally lengthen the battle all year long.
The gathering was the primary for Manalo to participate in. “It’s truly my first-ever satisfaction occasion at this time. And I believe having this massive of a neighborhood, it’s only a lovely celebration to all come collectively, really feel accepted, really feel the love. And, yeah, #loveforall,” she stated in a video posted by LoveYourself Philippines on social media.
Carrying a scarlet mini costume with string particulars on the shoulders and matching scarf, the reigning nationwide titleholder delighted spectators with the “pasarela” (pageant stroll) that helped her clinch the crown within the pageant final month. She additionally gave a pattern of how she is going to introduce herself when she represents the Philippines within the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico later this 12 months.