Wednesday, May 3, 2006

Our Advocacies & Campaigns

The Organization is engaged in advocacies that protect the rights of the LGBT communities inside and out of the University of the Philippines.

UP Babaylan has organized, institutionalized and participated in the following Advocacies and Campaigns:

  1. Manila Pride March
  2. Philippine Anti-Discrimination Bill
  3. Philippine Reproductive Health Bill
  4. World AIDS Campaign
  5. International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia(IDAHO)
  6. Transgender Day of Rememberance (TDOR)
  7. LGBT Legal Aid Office
  8. National LGBT Student Organization Network
  9. University Gender Sensitivity Training Initiative
  10. University Gay Games
  11. UP Diliman Gender Office LGBT Studies
  12. Philippine LGBT Literature Research and Development

Our Calendar



Our Activities


IMPLEMENTING PROJECTS

In pursuit of its goals as a support and advocacy group, UP Babaylan undertakes a number of activities, to wit:


  1. Support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students;
  2. Conferences, symposia and group discussions on lesbian and gay issues;
  3. LGBT rights advocacy/lobbying;
  4. Gender sensitivity workshops; and
  5. Networking with national and international LGBT organizations.
Service to the University and Society
UP Babaylan has established a niche among the students of the University if the number of invitations to speak in symposia, conferences and classroom discussions is any indication. This is not confined to UP alone. Other schools in the Metropolitan Manila have invited the organization's members to speak before their students. They are also invited as panelists and resource persons in television and radio programs as well as featured in various publications. To top it all of, the organization is comprised of top caliber artists and expressionists.


Recruitment and Reaffirmation Week
The two week recruitment week takes place at the AS Walk, Math Building and CAL New Building, where a sign-up booth is usually being set up. At the sign up booth the members of the Organization never failed to entertain passers by with gimmickry and antics UP students love. During the recruitment week the members of the Organization also conduct random lectures on gender issues and information campaigns on the developments in the lgbt community. Flyers containing texts on the Anti-Discrimination Bill or House Bill 2784 were given to passers by. You may apply by going HERE.


Applicants Orientation Seminar
A crash course on the history and legacy of the organization is given to the 50 strong applicants of the Organization. A series of modules is conducted during the Orientation Seminar (OrSem). These modules run from team driven dynamics to gender sensitivity tests.


Applicants Night
A night full of celebration as the Organizations alumni gather together in a night of festivity. The applicants prepare a series of skits and playful melodies of dance and song. Food usually brought by the members and the alumni is shared by all. It is also during the Applicants Night when the applicants are given their Babaylan names.



Sem-Ender
A three-day two-night out of town trip that is full of fun, adventure and learning. Members of the organization share stories of trials and triumphs with each other and reflect on how the previous semester went so that we could better plan the coming semester.


Summer Camp
A week long out of town trip scheduled during the summer. The members of the organization goes through a series of team building activities and planning seminar for the events of the organization for the coming school year.


Gender Sensitivity Workshops
A series of workshops focusing on gender, sex and sexuality issues is conducted around the University. Participants submit themselves to a grueling five hour intensive and integrative program facilitated by the volunteers from our trained partners from TLF and TFP. It is through these workshops that we produce informed and open minded students of the University. The last year alone we were able to open the minds and inform around at least 100 students from the Asian Institute of Tourism and Kalayaan Residence Hall.


University Educational Discussions (EDs)
Not far from out vision of a University free from discrimination and fallacies, we conduct a series of education discussion where the applicants of the organization and their peers are allowed to interact in our peer-facilitated forums and seminars. There were about 500 students from the University who attended our educational discussions. The discussions involved modules and task-oriented workshops which handled issues on the following topics:

  • HIV / AIDS
  • Vagrancy Law
  • Reproductive Health Law
  • Anti-Discrimination Bill
    • House Bill 2784 (Cong. Loretta Rosales)
    • House Bill 9095 (Cong. Loretta Rosales)
    • Senate Bill 1863 (Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago)
  • Human Rights
  • Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI)
  • Gay Lingo
  • Marriage Equality / Domestic Partnership
  • University Politics / SAMASA
  • LGBT Culture

Healthy Interaction & Values (H.I.V.) Workshops – c/o The Library Foundation
Since September 1991, The Library Foundation, together with the UP Babaylan, has implemented HIV and safer sex workshops at an average of one workshop every quarter. Conducted over one weekend, the Healthy Interaction and Values (H.I.V.) Workshop consists of participatory, peer-facilitated activities that focus on basic information about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STI), issues on homosexuality and community building.


Human Rights Documentation Workshop
Together with Amnesty International – Philippines, the organization participated with the documentation of human rights developments in the Philippines. As our community is often subjected to human rights violations, we call for equal opportunities and equal rights to individuals regardless of their gender identity and sexual orientation.


Positive Lives Exhibit
An exhibit of famous and respected international photographers was organized by the organization. Depicting the different faces of HIV/AIDS infected individuals in their everyday life never fails to portray the strong emotions behind the black and white enlargements of the photographs. The subjects were from the various South East Asian countries. Captions convey the colorful stories behind the images passers by see. Greatly applauded by art critics and students of the University, Positive Lives was one event we the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students of the University will always be proud of.


Androgyny
ANDROGYNY is the culminating activity of a month long calendar of events geared towards the celebration of Babaylan's anniversary. It is also annual event anticipated by both the UP community and the community at large from all walks of life. It is basically a motley of art expressions in dance, songs, theater and comedy showcasing top rate entertainment. Featured in the performance are the members of the organization who, through the years, have honed their respective talents under the auspices of noted artists in the various fields of the performing arts.


Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR)

The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual international event that is celebrated by UP Babaylan together with all LGBT organizations in different countries. This simultaneous event includes the reading of the names of transgender victims of violence and the condemnation of violence and injustices that are based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This event calls for the end of injustice and violence towards the LGBT community.


International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHO)

Together with IDAHO Philippines, UP Babaylan celebrates May 17 as a victory for the LGBT community. It was on May 17 that the World Health Organization has officially removed homosexuality as a mental disorder, signaling the start of the heavy campaign for the acceptance of the LGBT community. LGBT affirmative studies continue to produce volumes of research that prove the rightful act of removing homosexuality from the lift of mental disorders.

UP Lantern Parade

Aside from the lantern entries from the College of Fine Arts, what else is highly anticipated during the Lantern Parade? Yes, you are right, it can only be Babaylan. The yearly participation of Babaylan raises controversies as we never fail to make statements and leave the audience in awe. Always clothed in habiliments of vivid expressions for anti-discrimination and strong sense of Christmas spirit, Babaylan

Lean Alejandro Leadership Training (Baras, Rizal)

Lean Alejandro was the student leader of his time. UP Babaylan raised praises as we joined the celebration of his philosophy. During the leadership training, students gained skills instrumental to the development of ones character. The leadership seminar received support from various student organizations.

Festibam

It was National Lesbian Day. For seven years now the local LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender) community has been celebrating Lesbian Day and each year happens with a different concept. The 7th year was celebrated in a complete festive mood. There was a bazaar and an exhibit. The challenge for the participant-organizations was how to make each booth particularly interesting to the general public passing-by. Festibam was a 100%-out-and-proud day for Filipino lesbians. The lesbian organizers chose a strategic venue where the general public would have a glimpse of our community. Our lesbian egos were bared to confront the wits of the morning joggers and afternoon strollers. And this challenge was suffice to expose in exponential degrees of how the modern Filipino lesbian looks like and acts in public.

Manila Pride March – Philippines

The whole world danced in one song. UP Babaylan helped TFP, the official organizer of Pride March Philippines, through manpower and ideas on how the Pride March this year should be celebrated. UP Babaylan will be spearheading the student and academic arm of Task Force Pride March. We will be in charge of the alliance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered student organizations in the Philippines, a position we highly humble ourselves of.


UP Pride Week
UP Pride Week started in 2008 when UP Babaylan organized a series of events that highlighted the struggles of the LGBT community. It was held in the month of June, the International Pride Month. The first UP Pride Week included a series of educational discussions and was culminated with the very first UP Pride March.

UP Pride March
UP Babaylan started the very first UP Pride March on June 28, 2008 as part of the line-up of activities the organization planned for the Centennial year of the University. 21 members and alumni of the organization marched around the Academic Oval carrying a giant rainbow flag while cheerfully chanting for the end of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (sogi). The organization took the march from the streets into the hallways of Palma Hall soliciting support and cheer from the crowd. The march ended with a solidarity message from the organization.


UP Fair

The yearly event of the University was once again supported by the Organization by hosting a booth during the six day celebration. We sold food and beverages from which the proceeds will go to financing our projects.

USC Elections
The University Student Council Election is a very humbling experience for the organization. It also serves as our gauge to the level of the University’s acceptance of our LGBT community. The organization received numerous criticisms and a continuous flow of disrespectful articles from a student publication, but we never cowered before them. We remained proud of our lineage and legacy as our alumni were at their times. As anti-government student organizations continued to feed and instill homophobia in the minds of the University’s scholars, we remained clear with our goal, we remained focused on our ideals, and that is to win the elections fair and square. We are proud that we ran the past elections not at the expense of other candidates but with only our vision steadily lifting the butterfly wings of our ideals.


CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES
These are the following projects and events geared towards gender equality and social justice that UP Babaylan is involved in. Join us in erasing discrimination based on sexual orienation and gender identity.  Contact us! (^_^)


APRIL
April 21
- World LGBT Civil Rights March. UP Babaylan joined the march and attended the program that celebrates the recognition of LGBT Rights as Civil Rights.

MAY
May 17
- International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) Parade. UP Babaylan was part of the steering committee that organized the yearly IDAHO March.
- IDAHO Philippines 2013 will hold the Tagay for IDAHO event in Cubao X.


JUNE
June 13
- Freshie Assembly

June 16
- Start of GENDER SENSITIVITY TRAINING for Organizations. UP Babaylan is a volunteer of the Diliman Gender Office.

June 19
- Start of PROJECT EMBRACE. A free-photoshoot for University students who are supporters of the Anti-Discrimination Advocacy. This is a tie-up project with CMC-ISA and other Gender Advocates of the University.

June 24 MONDAY
- Start of UP Pride Week
- Rated PG : Policies on Gender Sensitivity Campaign

June 25 TUESDAY
– 20 Questions Photo Exhibit
– GayGeeks Forum: Alan Turing - Britain's Greatest Code Breaker

June 26 WEDNESDAY
- UNIVERSITY PINK SHIRT DAY

June 27 THURSDAY
– UP Pride March

June 28 FRIDAY
- Forum : Promoting Gender-Sensitive Policies in School

JULY
July 3
- University Org Fair
- Opening and Launch of the Women and LGBT Studies Section of the MAIN LIBRARY

July 7 and 9
– Diliman Gender Office - Gender Sensitivity Training - Level 2

Recruitment Sched:
July 10-11
- CAL New Building Sign-up Booth

July 12-13
- Math Building Sign-up Booth

July 19-20
- AS Walk Sign-up Booth

July 20
- Applicants Orientation


AUGUST
August 25
- Start of UP Babaylan 20th Anniversary
- Outreach Program to Home of the Golden Gays in Manila

August 26
- UP Babaylan Organization Exhibit

August 27
- LGBT Forum

August 28
- Open Tambayan

August 29
- Culminating Party

SEPTEMBER
ANDROGYNY - 20th ANNIVERSARY VARIETY SHOW

Our Affiliations

Our Networks





The Philippine LGBT Student Organizations Network -






TLF Share Collective – a Filipino gay men’s community-based non-government organization that promotes human rights of gay men and provides HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention services to men who have sex with men (MSM). TLF Believes that the empowerment of Filipino gay men, and the lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans-genders (LGBT) community in general, is central to the prevention of HIV transmission among Filipino MSM. The organization seeks to promote the acceptance of gay men, respect for their lives, and the aware ness of their continuing contributions to Philippine history and society.



 
            Task Force Pride (TFP) Philippines –is a coalition of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender organizations and their supporters that initiate and organize events that will create opportunities for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders to work together in an atmosphere of friendly cooperation. It organizes the annual Pride Month held every June The yearly Pride March seeks to raise public awareness on the issues and concerns faced by LGBTs such as religious persecution, discrimination in the work place, family rejection and negative media stereotyping, among others. It also provides LGBTs the space and opportunity to celebrate their existence and to continue building community solidarity.




Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network (Lagablab) Philippines – envisions a society free from discrimination particularly those based on gender and sexual orientation. It is dedicated to lobby for laws that promote and protect the rights of gays and lesbians and raise public awareness on the said issues.





 
Asia-Pacific Rainbow – An international organization that provides lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgenders, intersexuals, queers and questioning people (LGBTIQ) a forum for exchanging ideas, discussion, and announcements on relevant items in the Asia-Pacific region and diasporas.




  The Reproductive Health and Gender Advocates (RH AGENDA) Movement is an alliance of progressive student councils, organizations, and individuals representing thousands of students of the University of the Philippines. RH AGENDA supports the empowerment of the marginalized and oppressed in gender issues such as the women and the LGBT community and, more urgently, the campaign for the passage of a policy promoting responsible and rights-based reproductive health in the country.

Our Officers

MAKING THE DECISIONS
The General Assembly, composed of all resident members of the organization, is the highest policy-making body of the organization. In between meetings of the General Assembly, the Executive Committee, composed of all officers and heads of committees, handles the day-to-day activities of the organization.
UP Babaylan is headed by a Punong Babaylan (President). There is a Pangalawang Punong Babaylan (Vice-President), a Kalihim (Secretary) and an Ingat-Yaman (Treasurer). Its various activities are handled by several standing committees.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
AY 2012-2013


Rod "Talla Heeb" Singh
PUNONG BABAYLAN (President)


Pat "Amy" Bringas
PUNONG BABAYLAN (President)

Gian "Amber" Quiban
KALIHIM (Secretary)



Jill "Tolits" Tanaka
INGAT-YAMAN (Treasurer)


 Claire "Jimbaux" De Leon
HEAD, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE


Jes "Noy" Dizon
HEAD, FINANCE AND SPECIAL PROJECTS



Maan "Heema Muros" Brillantes
HEAD, MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE


Nico "Puring" Macabuhay
HEAD, PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

Our Narratives

About the Organization
The University of the Philippines Babaylan is the leading gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (lgbt) students' support group in all campuses of the State University, at the same time maintaining national and international linkages and presence.

The Organization's views on major issues confronting the nation, particularly as they affect the lives of Filipino lesbians and gays are heard and treated as the stand of the lgbt community of the University. It helps empower the latter by educating them on their rights as members of society, concomitantly teaching them how to effectively assert the exercise of these rights.

Our Legacy
Founded in August 1992, the University of the Philippines Babaylan is sui generis - in a class of its own- in the history of the State University. Its membership is composed of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered students. The diversity of its membership is accounted for the fact that its members come from almost every college in the U.P. system's flagship campus. A chapter was established in U.P. Manila some years ago.

UP Babaylan is officially recognized by University authorities. It has been awarded a tambayan at the West Wing of Palma Hall. The organization maintains a high profile role in the campus scene. As a matter of fact it has members who were elected as the University Student Council Chairperson in 1997 and Councilor in 2002 running avowedly as gay under the aegis of the organization. In 2011, Heart Dino was elected as the SECOND and  #1 USC Councilor when she got 45% of the total votes cast during the elections. . This year 2012, Heart Dino was elected as the First Transwoman Chairperson of the University Student Council. Pat Bringas was elected as the Third Transwoman and #2 Councilor of the USC.

CLOSING OUR RANKS
UP Babaylan was established to consolidate the gay and lesbian community in the University of the Philippines for the effective advocacy of our rights both in the University and in the national sphere.

Towards this end, the organization aims to forge unity among gay and lesbian students and faculty. We believe that unity within the community is crucial if we are to be heard on issues affecting us. Having been marginalized for so long, we recognize the need to consolidate ourselves into a vocal and potent force for the protection and advancement of gay and lesbian rights.

OUR BEACON
We believe in the inherent equality of all persons regardless of status or condition. For the organization, this inherent equality implies that human beings should not be discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation. 


MILESTONES

August 1991
An incident in Narra Residence Hall (an all-male housing facility) which involved the physical assault of a gay resident highlighted the need for an organization that will advance the rights and protect the welfare of LGBT students in the University. 

August 28, 1992
UP BABAYLAN was founded. Atty. VENIR TURLA CUYCO was its first Punong-Babaylan (President) when the Univeristy of the Philippines recognized the first and so far the largest LGBT student organization in the Philippines.

December 17, 1992
UP Babaylan Constitution was ratified and UP Diliman recognized the first LGBT Student Organization in the Philippines.

February 1996 
PERCIVAL CENDANA was elected as the very first openly gay Chairperson of the University Student Council of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

June 1996
UP Babaylan participated in the Manila Pride March. From then on, UP Babaylan has been part of the steering committee of the Official Annual Organizing Committee of the Manila Pride March - Task Force Pride (TFP)

September 1997
UP Babaylan organized the First Philippine LGBT Congress

June 1999
UP Babaylan organized the First Philippine LGBT Student Summit

March 2001
MARIA CARMEN HINAYON was elected as FIRST Transwoman Councilor and member of the University Student Council. She was elected as a transgender candidate under the party SAMASA.

March 2002
MARIA CARMEN HINAYON was elected as FIRST Transwoman Chairperson of the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines

July 6, 2009
UP Babaylan and its alumni organization, Babaylanes Inc., organized the founding of UP Los Banos Babaylan. Paul Andrew Lopez Manuales became the founding president of UPLB Babaylan with its 41 founding members.

June 8, 2008
UP Babaylan organized the FIRST UP PRIDE WEEK. The culminating event was the UP PRIDE MARCH participated by 21 members and alumni of UP Babaylan.

February 17, 2011
HEART DINO was elected as the SECOND Transwoman Councilor of the University Student Council. Heart was elected as the #1 USC Councilor with a lead of almost 1000 votes. She won 45% (or 4,807 out of 10,685) of the total votes cast during the elections. 

June 24, 2011
UP Babaylan in cooperation with the University Student Council Gender Committee, AKEI and HAIN, organized the 4th UP PRIDE WEEK. This was the FIRST time that UP Babaylan has tied-up the event with allies of the organization.

March 1, 2012
HEART DINO was elected as the FIRST Transwoman Chairperson of the University Student Council. She was elected Chairperson under the party ALYANSA.

PAT BRINGAS was elected as the THIRD Transwoman Councilor of the University Student Council. PAT was elected as the #2 USC Councilor of the University Student Council. 

June 28, 2012
UP Babaylan in cooperation with the USC Gender Committee, organized the most successful UP PRIDE WEEK to date. Different organizations and allies scheduled events during the week and the celebration was culminated with the largest UP PRIDE MARCH contingent - 45 participating organizations.

Narrative Accounts of the Organization







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