Balangaw Project
A successful “The Balangaw Project: Empowering the LGBTQ+ community through Education” was held last April 27, 2019 at Barangay Mandalagan with the partnership of their Sangguniang Kabataan.
With the success of the first Balangaw project, the Juniors brought the event to another close and populated barangay. The majority of the participants is on the youth sector and also from the LGBTQ+ community which is what the Juniors truly aims. Junuis Dale Capus, a HAPI Junior and the Project Head of the said event, talked in his rationale speech how important this event is, to inform and enlighten everyone about the queer community.
What is Human Rights?
To kick the event off, Eldemar Sabete, Head of HAPI Jr. welcomed the participant. Then, Mr Romeo Valdeberona, Provincial Head of Commission of Human Rights. The CHR tackled what really is Human Rights and its valuable role in the lives of each individual.
He inserted the birth of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and showed an informative and entertaining video where people are questioned about how many rights they know. It was an eye-opener on how many people still don’t know about their own rights. Mr Valdeberona ended with the words, “Rights, they’re not just words on a paper but the responsibility we all owe to each other. To respect, empower and protect.”
Being a Youth LGBT
The enthusiastic Ms Charisse Erinn Flores, the Lead Convener of Youth for Sustainable Change for LGBT Rights, was the second speaker of the event, talking about LGBT rights and also her own personal experiences. She emphasized that LGBT rights violation is not a phase its a trauma that someone can’t just get over easily.
SOGIE
The very animated Mr Rayd Espeja was the third speaker, again. Sharing his knowledge, expertise and experiences to the table while talking about SOGIE and countless momentous historical events of the LGBT community.
He introduced the Kinsey scale to the participants in his colourful powerpoint presentation. He left the stage with the words, “You don’t have to be LGBT to respect LGBT rights. We are just tolerated and that is far from acceptance.”
The last part of the event was the giving of certificates of appreciation to the commendable speakers and closing remarks. Ms Many Joy Galleto of Sangguniang Kabataan, expresses how honoured their barangay to host the 2nd Project Balangaw.
With the inspirational and energetic finish of the event, the Juniors are very happy and grateful to the people who made this possible. All for humanity!
Follow our Humanist Alliance Philippines International website for updates.
