𝗔𝗧𝗜 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘 2024: 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦, 𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗜𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦

Jan 17 TrikeeAdminComment Closed

On January 16, 2023, the JCI Aklan Kalantiao organized the first-ever ATI PRIDE Event in Aklan at NVC Gymnasium. This event is also in time for the celebration of the Ati-Atihan Festival celebrated every 3rd week of January. As for the 2024 LO President of JCI Aklan Kalantiao, Mr. Paul Robert Saladar, this initiative of the organization is not only anchored in the Ati-Atihan Festival spirit, but as the name of the event goes, ‘ATI PRIDE’, this event also celebrates the ‘PRIDE’, LGBTQIA+ community has to offer and their talents and skills deserving to be recognized by the world.

This event was attended by different groups of individuals but was there because of one goal and dream, and that is to show the world how powerful when equality and acceptance come together. The event was filled with laughter and joy, because of the special interaction of people with different minds and hearts having the same purpose.

The event was not just a simple gathering at all, for it was filled with performances coming from Drag Queens from different localities in Aklan. They have poured their hearts out in every performance they make, whether it’s through lip-synching songs or showing glamour on the runway, which caused the crowd to shout with joy and excitement as they graced the center stage. Queens who participated didn’t just perform to entertain people but also were given prizes as a reward for winning. It is indeed a win-win situation, they make people happy and they become happy themselves. All of the Lip Synch and Runway Performances are judged by some of the most renowned Queens from Aklan who have brought pride and honor not only for our province, for our country but for the LGBTQIA+ community.

This event also is one of the initiatives of JCI Aklan Kalantiao where the amount gathered from this event will be used to help the Ati Community, which is their chosen beneficiary for this project. Truly an avenue, not only for inclusivity, acceptance, respect, and recognition, but most importantly for helping others in need and conquering with a purpose.

It was a night of glamour and breathtaking moments. A night full of love, respect, and happiness. A night where cultures combined and boundaries broken. Indeed, Ati Pride is not only for the LGBTQIA+ community but for a greater community transcended beyond the colors of a rainbow.

Article by: Louis Joseph M. Candari, BCAED, 1st Year.

Earl John Abello BACOMM-3A