LGBTQIA+ couples celebrate Valentine’s Day with a commitment ceremony in the Philippines

Описание: (14 Feb 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Quezon City , Philippines - 14 February 2026
1. Low angle shot of female couple walking down fairy tale-themed aisle during a LGBTQIA+ commitment ceremony
2. Female couple wearing white dresses walking along aisle
3. LED floor tilt up to couple walking
4. Chandeliers and decor on ceiling tilt down to male couple walking down the aisle
5. Male couple walking down aisle holding bouquets
6. Wide of female couple walking down the aisle
7. Couple holding hands during ceremony
8. Close-up of hands caressing each other
9. Various of couples reading a document during a LGBTQIA+ commitment ceremony
10. Various of couples exchanging rings
11. Female couple kissing pan to another couple kissing
12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ruffy Collera, commitment ceremony participant:
“It feels amazing to be part of this wonderful milestone, to be given the chance to experience this one of a kind celebration.”
13. Quezon City Commitment Ceremony sign
14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ruffy Collera, commitment ceremony participant:
“We are kind of like jealous of other countries having same sex marriage or other celebrations than this, so again I think it's really high time for our leaders to really pass what we so-call the SOGIESC Bill. And aside from that same-sex union or even same-sex marriage - why not? We are very hopeful with that. It about time.”
15. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte having a group photo with couples while holding rainbow flag
16. Cloe-up of Belmonte holding rainbow flag
17. SOUNDBITE: (English) Joy Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City:
“Today is a special day because February 14 for the past five years we have been reserving this day for a commitment ceremony that we do for the LGBTQ+ sector, where in although they are unable to get married legitimately in our country because the law does not allow it, the family code does not allow it, the constitution does not allow it. But we would like to do a ceremony for them to recognize their love for one another. We recognize through this ceremony that they are capable and able to have and re affirm a lifelong partner.”
18. Wide pan of ceremony
19. SOUNDBITE: (English) Mayor Joy Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City:
“It is our way of, I guess, expressing that here in Quezon City, this is a safe space for this sector, the LGBTQ+ sector, this is a safe space. We fight for their rights here, especially their right to love, whoever they want to love.”
20. Couple cutting cake with Equality, love, pride written on it
21. Couples eating cake
STORYLINE:
More than 100 couples walked down a fairytale-themed aisle during an LGBTQIA+ commitment ceremony on Valentine’s Day in Quezon City, Philippines.

A total of 129 couples pledged their love and commitment to one another on Saturday in a ceremony symbolizing equality and acceptance.

“We are kind of jealous of other countries that have same-sex marriage or other celebrations like this,” said 36-year-old Barangay councilor Ruffy Collera.

“I think it’s really high time for our leaders to pass what we call the SOGIESC Bill. Aside from that, same-sex unions or even same-sex marriage—why not? We are very hopeful for that. It’s about time,” Collera added.

The ceremony forms part of the local government’s goal to create a community where every member is respected and treated equally.

The city also aims to protect the rights of all QCitizens against discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) and to prevent gender-based violence.



AP video shot by: Joeal Calupitan



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