IF theater is what it takes to educate the youth on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and appreciate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, this human rights group is willing to tour around the province to showcase their advocacies through a stage production.
With over 60 members, Bisdak Pride, Inc. (BPI) has been playing its second theater forum “Halog” in different secondary schools in Cebu; recently at Zapatera and Paknaan Night High Schools.
Sexual orientation
“Halog is a two-hour heavy drama cast by 18 actors centering on educating the audience on HIV and sexual orientation, gender identity and expression,” said Murrielle Estrada, a transgender staff of BPI’s Culture and Arts department.
“We focus on educating the teens since they are the most at risk population,” said Estrada, who plays as a mother in the show.
Estrada said this is also a way to encourage those who have HIV to not hesitate in taking advantage of free testing and counseling activities.
“We are also pushing anti-discrimination against HIV patients and helping instead of bullying them.”
BPI was established on Nov. 30, 2005 after some of its founding members attended an LGBT Leadership Conference in Davao City that year.
NCCA
It is also the first LGBT group in Cebu accredited by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), said Lucky Lastimosa, a registered nurse serving as the overall chair of the group’s monitoring and evaluation department.
Lastimosa said its creation is “dedicated to advance, uphold and protect the rights and responsibilities of people who have different sexual orientation and gender identity.”
On Dec. 1 last year, the non-profit group was given accreditation by the Cebu Provincial Board, propelling its members to conduct activities with a bigger scope.
Before Halog, BPI’s first play was “Bangaw Para sa Maayong Kaugmaon,” which was staged last February in Cebu municipalities.
Funding
With funding aid from the Cebu Province and partner organizations, the play also took them to Roxas City in Capiz.
“We are doing theater to educate people in an entertaining way and for it to stick to their minds,” Lastimosa said.
“Halog” will be performed before the students of San Isidro Night High School in Talisay City on Aug. 25 and in Bohol this October.
For their culture and arts program, BPI is actively participating as a partner organization in local film festivals such as Lilas Binisaya and the recent Cinema Rehiyon.
BPI will also hold a Family Planning Fair on Aug. 31 for parents and the youth and a local film festival on December.