UP BABAYLAN

UP Babaylan’s formation was catalysed by a hate crime against a member of the community at Narra Residence Hall, a UP dormitory, in 1991. The incident highlighted the need for an organization dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights and welfare of LGBTQI people within and beyond UP. The organization was awarded its tambayan at the West Wing of Palma Hall.

UP Babaylan started out small, barely reaching the minimum required number of members to be an accredited organization. With the unaccepting environment towards LGBTQI people at the time, it was difficult to find 15 members willing to expose themselves to the public. The organization’s very first meeting was held in the Third World Center, now known as the CSSP Reading Hall.

It made its debut to the public at a protest rally against the then new UP President, a tuition fee hike, and other social issues. However, due to the public’s general treatment of the LGBTQI community, the organization struggled to maintain itself. There was even a time when the organization was so poor that the members had to sell chicharon to fund itself. Aside from financial struggles, the organization also sparked controversy within the university, due to its uncompromising stances for LGBTQI rights.

Despite all of that, the organization remained steadfast in its mission, and in 1993, UP Babaylan joined the Lantern Parade with a defiant call, “Out from the Closets, Into the Streets.” In June 1996, UP Babaylan participated in the first Metro Manila Pride March, presenting the longest rainbow flag.




A Legacy of Excellence

The organization’s success and reach is not just confined to UP. In September 1997, UP Babaylan held the first national LGBT Leaders’ Conference hall at Vinzons Hall, which resulted in the formation of Lagablab and later on Task Force Pride (now Metro Manila Pride).

Lagablab LGBT Network is an alliance of LGBTQI organizations lobbying for LGBTQI-responsive legislation. Atty. Venir Cuyco, UP Babaylan’s founding president, drafted the first version for the anti-discrimination bill in 1999 and Lagablab LGBT Network, with UP Babaylan as its member, has been at the forefront in the fight for its passage into law since 2000.

At its 15th foundation year in 2007, Babaylanes, Inc. was founded. Babaylanes, Inc. is the alumni organization of UP Babaylan whose thrust is to empower LGBTQI students around the country to form their own LGBTQI student organizations.

Despite all of that, the organization remained steadfast in its mission, and in 1993, UP In 2008, UP Babaylan, together with other LGBTQI and allied organizations, organized UP Pride, the official LGBTQI Pride celebration of UP Diliman.



UP Babaylan Chapters

UP Babaylan – Baguio Chapter

Founded in 2015, UP Babaylan – Baguio Chapter is the support and advocacy organization of LGBTQI students in the University of the Philippines Baguio.

UP Babaylan – Clark Chapter

Founded in 2017, UP Babaylan – Clark Chapter is the support and advocacy organization of LGBTQI students in the University of the Philippines Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga.

UP Babaylan – Diliman Chapter

Established in 1992, UP Babaylan is the longest-existing duly recognized LGBTQI student organization in the Philippines and in Asia based in UP Diliman.


MEET THE core WEBSITE TEAM UNDER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ’21
PositionName
Website CreativesCaleb Macion
Website DevelopmentJulia Labao
Website ContentThirdy Layosa

The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ’21
PositionName
Punong BabaylanVenus Aves
Pangalawang Punong Babaylan Alex Dantes
KalihimJustin Bernardo
Ingat-YamanAlexander Belila
Campaigns and Communications HeadAnna Cubacub
Education and Research HeadClarisse See
Membership HeadBatithe Delos Angeles
Finance and Special Projects HeadRoss Vasallo
Internal Affairs Committee HeadFrance Fernandez