A total of 129 LGBTQ+ couples participated in a mass commitment ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 14, as part of Quezon City’s annual Valentine’s Day celebrations.
The event, held at the M.I.C.E. Center within the Quezon City Hall Compound, was officiated by Mayor Joy Belmonte. While the ceremony does not carry legal weight under current Philippine law—which does not recognize same-sex marriage or civil unions—it serves as a formal recognition of queer relationships by the city government.
“We will always celebrate your love here in Quezon City, not just this Valentine’s Day, but every day,” Belmonte said during the ceremony. “While the larger fight for equal rights continues, you can count on Quezon City to be your sanctuary.”
Participating couples took part in traditional wedding rites, including walking down the aisle, a symbolic cake-cutting, a ceremonial toast, and a first dance.
To qualify for the event, couples were required to be at least 18 years old and registered “QCitizens.”
The ceremony is now in its sixth year, organized by the city’s Gender and Development (GAD) Council Office. Since its inception in 2020, more than 1,000 couples have taken part in the program.
The event was attended by various local officials who served as principal sponsors, including Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Elen Pasion.
Quezon City remains a pioneer in local LGBTQ+ legislation in the Philippines. In addition to the annual ceremony, the city previously introduced the “Right to Care” card, which allows queer partners to make medical decisions for one another, a right typically reserved for legal next-of-kin.