Villar Recognizes Six Outstanding LGBTQIA+ Honorees in Pride Month Celebration

In celebration of Pride Month, the Villar Foundation honored six exceptional LGBTQIA+ individuals from Las Piñas who have excelled in their respective fields and made a lasting impact on the broader community.

The awarding ceremony took place during the Pride celebration at The Tent on Saturday, June 21, drawing community leaders, advocates, and residents in a show of solidarity and support for LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility.

This initiative by the Villar Foundation aims to celebrate diversity, recognize talent, and amplify the voices of LGBTQIA+ leaders, whose work promotes acceptance, empowerment, and inclusion across various sectors.

"These individuals exemplify courage, excellence, and the power of representation chosen because of their significant contributions in their field and the community. They demonstrate a high degree of credibility,integrity and excellence in their field." said Senator Cynthia Villar, who led the awarding alongside Senator Mark Villar and Senator-elect Camille Villar.

Awardees recognized for outstanding contributions were:

1. Danika A. Damo - Beauty and Fashion, Culture and the Arts

2. Alfonso Tibus - Education and Academe

3. Josel B. Duco - Livelihood and Entrepreneurship

4. Ariel Claveria - Youth Leadership

5. Mark Vincent Arcilla - Youth Leadership

6. Venice Rose Quinte - Sports

Each honoree received a Villar Foundation PRIDE Trophy and a Php 20,000 cash incentive, acknowledging both their personal achievements and their role in driving community progress.

"Their stories inspire us to continue the fight for justice and equal rights," Villar added, emphasizing the Foundation's ongoing mission to support marginalized communities.

The Pride Month celebration in Las Piñas, which also featured a colorful parade and the Binibining Bahagharipageant, marked the Villars growing commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion and advocacy.

"Their stories inspire us to continue the fight for justice and equal rights," Villar added, emphasizing the Foundation's ongoing mission to support marginalized communities.

The Villar Foundation's efforts reflect a broader movement within the city to ensure respect, dignity, and equal opportunities for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.

Villar, Kinilala ang Anim na Natatanging LGBTQIA+ sa Pagdiriwang ng Pride Month

Bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng Pride Month, kinilala ng Villar Foundation ang anim na natatanging indibidwal mula sa LGBTQIA+ community ng Las Piñas na namumukod-tangi sa kani-kanilang larangan at may mahalagang ambag sa mas malawak na komunidad.

Idinaos ang seremonya ng paggawad sa gitna ng makulay na Pride celebration sa The Tent noong Sabado, Hunyo 21, na dinaluhan ng mga lider ng komunidad, tagapagtaguyod ng karapatang pantao, at mga mamamayan bilang suporta sa pagkakapantay-pantay at karapatan ng LGBTQIA+.

Layunin ng inisyatibong ito ng Villar Foundation na ipagdiwang ang pagkakaiba-iba, kilalanin ang mga talento, at palakasin ang boses ng mga LGBTQIA+ na lider, na nagsusulong ng pagtanggap, pagkakapantay-pantay, at inklusibong lipunan sa iba't ibang larangan.

"Ang mga pinarangalang ito ay huwaran ng tapang, kahusayan, at ang kapangyarihan ng representasyon. Sila ay pinili dahil sa kanilang mahalagang kontribusyon sa kanilang larangan at sa komunidad. Ipinapakita nila ang mataas na antas ng kredibilidad, integridad, at kahusayan," pahayag ni Senadora Cynthia Villar, na nanguna sa paggawad kasama sina Senador Mark Villar at Senadora-elect Camille Villar.

Kabilang sa mga pinarangalan ay sina:

1. Danika A. Damo - Beauty and Fashion, Culture and the Arts

2. Alfonso Tibus - Education and Academe

3. Josel B. Duco - Livelihood and Entrepreneurship

4. Ariel Claveria - Youth Leadership

5. Mark Vincent Arcilla - Youth Leadership

6. Venice Rose Quinte - Sports

Bawat awardee ay tumanggap ng Villar Foundation PRIDE Trophy at Php 20,000 cash bilang pagkilala sa kanilang tagumpay at mahalagang ambag sa pag-unlad ng komunidad.

"Their stories inspire us to continue the fight for justice and equal rights," dagdag pa ni Villar, na binigyang-diin ang layunin ng Foundation na suportahan ang mga sektor na kadalasang hindi nabibigyan ng sapat na boses.

Tampok din sa pagdiriwang ang isang makulay na parada at ang Binibining Bahaghari pageant, na lalong nagpapatibay sa patuloy na pagsuporta ng pamilya Villar sa adbokasiya

Ang pagsisikap ng Villar Foundation ay sumasalamin sa mas malawak na kilusan sa Las Piñas na nagsusulong ng paggalang, dignidad, at pantay na oportunidad para sa lahat, anuman ang kanilang sexual orientation, gender identity, o gender expression .