By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The Quezon City Government held on Friday (June 27) the Graduation Rights Year 2, “Marching towards Equality.” at the MICE here.
The 2025 Graduation Rights is a special ceremonial graduation event which aims to celebrate the freedom of students to march and graduate while wearing the outfit they prefer and expressing who they are.
Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte, together with Akbayan Partylist Rep..Percival Cendaña,
Henson Wongaiham, Ad Hoc Marketing,
Nadie Marie Fernandez, City Councilor Julienne Alyson Rae V. Medalla, Chairperson of Committee on Education, Science and Technology, City Councilor Maria Eleanor R. Juan, Chairperson of Committee on Women, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, led the “Rainbow Graduates” into the MICE.
Mayor Belmonte acknowledged Rep. Cendaña, Councilors Juan and Medalla and Carly Sedilla, Oviedo, Wonghaiham, and Quezon City University President Dr. Teresita Atienza, among others.
Belmonte congratulated all the Rainbow Graduates.
“The city held the first ceremony in the country where you come as you are,” she said.
She cited that the ceremony is also a celebration.
Belmonte said that Quezon City is not only a safe space but a strong ally.
She added that the city not only relies on the law but the true stories on the ground.
She also cited Mother Percy, Henson and the hundreds of LGBTIQ+ who participated in the business fair.
“Happy pride sa ating lahat. Happy graduation,” Belmonte said.
Gib gib Gabiana, QC Rainbow Queen 2024 3rd Runner-up, delivered an inspirational message.
Gabiana said that her gender is not a stumbling block to reach her dreams.
Wongaiham said that the ceremony continued what they left off last year for equality.
It gained recognition locally and internationally and recognized by the Commission on Human Rights.
He stressed that the more than 300 rainbow graduates have stood for their rights and equality.
He thanked Mayor Belmonte for continuously supporting the graduation rights marching towards equality.
Former NYC commissioner and now Rep. Percy Cendaña said that he does not know the graduates personally but he is teary eyed seeing them now.
He lauded Mayor Belmonte for holding the second graduation rights.
Cendaña cited Medalla, Oviedo, Sedilla and Henson for their unequivocal support.
Cendaña hails from Talavera, Nueva Ecija.
“Sa pangarap nating lipunan dapat wala ng graduation rights,” he said.
Cendaña recalled that when he graduated from elementary and high school it was really binary.
“We are marching with pride because there were generations who never had this graduation rights,” he said.
“Mabuhay kayong lahat. Happy graduation. Happy pride,” Cendaña ended.
The 300 rainbow graduates were from college, and senior high school. ###
