All Colors Unite: Families and Allies Show Up Strong at Quezon City Pride Marathon
Honey, let me tell you, Tomas Morato was absolutely LIVING last night! The streets were transformed into a rainbow runway as Quezon City kicked off Pride Month with its first-ever Pride Run on June 7, and your favorite cultural correspondent was there to catch all the fabulous action.
Under the glow of sunset and later, the shimmer of LED wristbands that turned the avenue into a moving light installation, hundreds of runners, queer folks and allies alike, gathered for the aptly named “Run with Pride. Run for Pride” event. (And between us, my dears, I was serving “fashion jog realness” in custom rainbow sneakers.)
A Historic Stride for Inclusion
This wasn’t just any fun run, it was a powerful statement. Starting at 6 PM along the lively Tomas Morato Avenue, participants in their commemorative singlets created a living rainbow that flowed through the heart of Quezon City. The 5-kilometer course became a celebration of love, diversity, and unity that had been in the making for months, as announced back in May by organizers.
What made this event truly special was the overwhelming presence of families running alongside their LGBTQIA+ loved ones. Mothers, fathers, siblings, and children proudly wore their race bibs as badges of solidarity. The image of a silver-haired lola (grandmother) crossing the finish line hand-in-hand with her transgender granddaughter sent this reporter reaching for tissues, and not just because I was sweating from the heat, darlings!
From City Hall to Street Festival
According to the QC Public Affairs and Information Services Department, this event represents a key initiative in the city’s ongoing commitment to promoting inclusivity. “For more than 50 years, members of the queer community have been fighting for inclusion, equality, and acceptance,” noted the event’s registration page, highlighting Quezon City’s frontline position in championing LGBTQIA+ rights through initiatives like the Right-to-Care Act and the annual QC Pride celebrations, as reported by Outrage Magazine.
Post-race celebrations transformed the finish area into an impromptu street party, with participants proudly displaying their well-earned medals. Social media quickly flooded with jubilant images of the festivities, including some breathtaking shots shared by ABS-CBN News on Instagram.
More Than Just a Run
Each ₱500 registration fee included not just race essentials but symbols of pride: a lively singlet, race bib, that gorgeous LED wristband (which I’m absolutely incorporating into my next club look), and a finisher’s medal that many were wearing as proudly as any designer accessory.
“Takbo na, Besh! Hindi lang puso ang pinapatibok, pati tuhod at pride!” as the official invitation declared. Indeed, last night wasn’t just about racing, it was about our community’s heartbeat pulsing through the streets of Quezon City, stronger and more radiant than ever before.
