LGBTQIA+ couples exchange vows in QC commitment ceremony | ABS-CBN
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LGBTQIA+ couples exchange vows in QC commitment ceremony
LGBTQIA+ couples exchange vows in QC commitment ceremony
More than 200 LGBTQIA+ couples exchanged vows during a commitment ceremony at Quezon Memorial Circle on Saturday. Izzy Lee, ABS-CBN News
More than 200 LGBTQIA+ couples exchanged vows during a commitment ceremony at Quezon Memorial Circle on Saturday. Izzy Lee, ABS-CBN News More than 200 LGBTQIA+ couples exchanged vows during a commitment ceremony at Quezon Memorial Circle on Saturday.
More than 200 LGBTQIA+ couples exchanged vows during a commitment ceremony at Quezon Memorial Circle on Saturday.
The event, organized by the Quezon City local government, featured a walk on a red carpet adorned with floral decorations, which brought tears to the eyes of some couples.
The event, organized by the Quezon City local government, featured a walk on a red carpet adorned with floral decorations, which brought tears to the eyes of some couples.
Witnesses, including friends and family, joined each couple in affirming their commitment.
Witnesses, including friends and family, joined each couple in affirming their commitment.
Following the heartfelt vows, the ceremony resembled a traditional wedding, complete with cake cutting, dancing, and toasts.
Following the heartfelt vows, the ceremony resembled a traditional wedding, complete with cake cutting, dancing, and toasts.
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"Bagamat hindi ito pangkaraniwan at legal na kasal, ang seremonya ay isa pa ring pagkilalala sa bawat isa sa inyo. Sa inyong pagkatao, sa inyong karapatan, at sa inyong pag-iibigan," Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte stated.
"Bagamat hindi ito pangkaraniwan at legal na kasal, ang seremonya ay isa pa ring pagkilalala sa bawat isa sa inyo. Sa inyong pagkatao, sa inyong karapatan, at sa inyong pag-iibigan," Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte stated.
"Pangako pa rin ito. Hindi naman kailangan maging legal o hindi para maging pangakong panghabangbuhay," Belmonte added.
"Pangako pa rin ito. Hindi naman kailangan maging legal o hindi para maging pangakong panghabangbuhay," Belmonte added.
For JR Innocencio and Joshua Tejero, the ceremony fulfilled a long-held dream of marriage that is not legally recognized in the Philippines. Innocencio expressed overwhelming joy on the experience.
For JR Innocencio and Joshua Tejero, the ceremony fulfilled a long-held dream of marriage that is not legally recognized in the Philippines. Innocencio expressed overwhelming joy on the experience.
"Iba kasi yung saya talaga. Napakasaya. Sabi ko nga sa kanya, 'Mahal, iba pala yung feeling ng kinakasal talaga.' I thought napapanuod ko lang but then nakakaiyak pala talaga," Innocencio said.
"Iba kasi yung saya talaga. Napakasaya. Sabi ko nga sa kanya, 'Mahal, iba pala yung feeling ng kinakasal talaga.' I thought napapanuod ko lang but then nakakaiyak pala talaga," Innocencio said.
They were planning to get married abroad before they found out about the ceremony.
They were planning to get married abroad before they found out about the ceremony.
"Inisip namin mag-ipon muna tapos sa ibang bansa magpakasal pero nalaman namin to. Go kami...Akala ko noon sa tv ko lang to nakikita ngayon nandito na kami," Tejero said.
"Inisip namin mag-ipon muna tapos sa ibang bansa magpakasal pero nalaman namin to. Go kami...Akala ko noon sa tv ko lang to nakikita ngayon nandito na kami," Tejero said.
This marked the fourth commitment ceremony in Quezon City.
This marked the fourth commitment ceremony in Quezon City.
After the ceremony, Right to Care cards were distributed to the first batch of LGBTQIA+ couples.
After the ceremony, Right to Care cards were distributed to the first batch of LGBTQIA+ couples.
The card empowers LGBTQIA+ couples to make medical decisions for each other, akin to those in a civil marriage contract. Additionally, it allows partners to be listed as beneficiaries in insurance contracts.
The card empowers LGBTQIA+ couples to make medical decisions for each other, akin to those in a civil marriage contract. Additionally, it allows partners to be listed as beneficiaries in insurance contracts.
Janet Oviedo from the QC Gender and Development Technical Working Group explained, "Dito sa Quezon City wala naman silang choice but to accept the card because it has an ordinance already. Kailangan nila i-recognize yung ordinansa."
Janet Oviedo from the QC Gender and Development Technical Working Group explained, "Dito sa Quezon City wala naman silang choice but to accept the card because it has an ordinance already. Kailangan nila i-recognize yung ordinansa."
Leslie Ampo-an and her partner, who applied for a Right to Care card in August 2023, expressed joy and emphasized its significance for underprivileged citizens in Quezon City.
Leslie Ampo-an and her partner, who applied for a Right to Care card in August 2023, expressed joy and emphasized its significance for underprivileged citizens in Quezon City.
"There [are] instances po na may nangyayari samin pero never pong nagke-care yung partner namin dahil sa pamilya namin. Issue pa rin sa family namin... Mahalaga po na may right to care card kasi may karapatan yung partner namin to decide for us lalo na sa health namin," Ampo-an shared.
"There [are] instances po na may nangyayari samin pero never pong nagke-care yung partner namin dahil sa pamilya namin. Issue pa rin sa family namin... Mahalaga po na may right to care card kasi may karapatan yung partner namin to decide for us lalo na sa health namin," Ampo-an shared.
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