Cebu’s Grand Pride Parade draws over 20,000 participants

CEBU, Philippines — A sea of rainbow flags along with Cebuanos swept through the streets of Cebu City as more than 20,000 participants joined this year's Grand Pride Parade, making it one of the largest Pride celebrations in the country.

Organizers from the Cebu Pride Movement (CPM) said a total of 20,088 registered marchers joined the June 27 parade, based on registrations from local government units, private institutions, organizations, and individual participants.

The turnout ranked Cebu behind Quezon City and Isabela in terms of attendance, while surpassing Metro Manila Pride, according to CPM co-founder Ramon Matthew Basabe.

"Cebu Grand Pride Parade with a total of 20,088 marchers. Out of the entire Philippines, we are number three highest attendees," Basabe said.

He added that the attendance figures were based on registration records from participating groups and individual marchers.

Thousands of members of the LGBTQIA+ community were joined by their families, allies, students, civil society organizations, government officials, and supporters as they marched from the Capitol to Plaza Independencia during Cebu's first Grand Pride Parade.

Before the parade began, Governor Pamela Baricuatro welcomed participants at the Capitol, while Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival received the crowd at Plaza Independencia.

Baricuatro expressed gratitude over the strong public participation in the event.

"I'm happy to see that so many people came today, from all over the province and all over the city," the governor said.

For organizers, this year's turnout reflected increasing public support for diversity, equity, and inclusion, extending beyond the LGBTQIA+ community.

CPM convenor and co-founder Enrique San Juan said the organization is optimistic that the event will continue to expand in the coming years.

"We are looking at this to possibly grow next year, we can achieve that," San Juan said.

CPM also noted the increasing participation of barangays in Cebu City.

San Juan said 69 of Cebu City’s 81 barangays joined this year, noting that past parades did not even reach participation from half of the city's barangays.

He added that one of the long-term aspirations of the movement is for Cebu to become recognized as the country's Pride capital.

He said this also aligns with Baricuatro's vision of making the celebration one of Cebu's flagship festivals.

Apart from the parade, Cebu Pride Month featured several activities organized by the CPM in partnership with local government units, private organizations, and LGBTQIA+ groups.

These included the Run with Pride on June 7, which drew 896 runners, and the Big Pride Picnic on June 14, attended by 2,662 participants.

A major highlight of this year's Pride Month celebration was the signing of Executive Order No. 29, Series of 2026, which established the Right to Care Program in the Province of Cebu.

Under the executive order, designated care partners may accompany and visit patients admitted to provincial hospitals and healthcare facilities, receive medical updates with the patient's consent, participate in discussions on patient care, and serve as emergency contacts when authorized.

The order also allows designated care partners to assist in processing emergency assistance and social welfare services for individuals under their care.

The provincial government said the measure applies regardless of marital status and seeks to recognize caregiving relationships that may not necessarily have legal recognition. — (FREEMAN)