Negros Pride, in partnership with Artscenic, officially kicks off its 2026 Pride Month celebrations today, June 22.
This year’s festivities are anchored on the theme “FantaSiya”.
Over the next seven days, the organizers are staging what is set to be the biggest pride pop-up event in the Visayas region, culminating in the highly anticipated annual Pride Parade, a press release said.
The multi-day cultural and community event is split across two major venues in Bacolod City, offering a mix of queer artistry, community markets, and advocacy:
- June 22–25 | Ayala Malls Capitol Central: The first leg of the massive pride pop-up, showcasing local queer-owned businesses, artists, and creators.
- June 26–28 | Cinematheque Centre Negros: The second leg shifts focus toward media and dialogue, featuring QueerFlix & Chill—a curated queer film screening program highlighting LGBTQIA+ narratives, complemented by talkbacks with local queer organizers.
Now in its seventh year, the Negros Pride Parade has evolved into one of the largest LGBTQIA+ gatherings, drawing thousands of queer individuals and allies to the streets.
According to Kyle Villariza, convenor of Negros Pride, this year’s theme is deeply political despite its whimsical name.
“This year’s Pride theme, FantaSiya, is rooted in the idea that queer imagination is not an escape from reality, but a way of reshaping it,” Villariza said.
“It reflects how LGBTQIA+ communities continue to build worlds where dignity, safety, and equality are possible despite systemic barriers.”
The theme serves as a direct response to urgent social issues weighing heavily on the community, including persistent discrimination, socioeconomic inequalities, and the ongoing legislative stagnation of the SOGIE Equality Bill.
The week-long celebration will reach its peak on Saturday, for the annual Negros Pride Parade.
The public march stands as a vibrant, defiant demonstration of visibility, solidarity, and unwavering advocacy for equal rights in the region, organizers said.*PR
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