PH Float at Amsterdam Canal Pride Parade Features Balangay, Sarimanok

The Philippine and Pride colors waved atop the “sarimanok-inspired balangay” Philippine float as it cruises the seven kilometer-long Amsterdam canals. (The Hague PE photo)

THE HAGUE 28 August 2019  — The Philippine Embassy in The Hague’s Gender and Development (GAD) and Cultural sections attended the Amsterdam Canal Pride parade on 03 August 2019, in which the Filipino LGBT Europe group presented their debut participation with a Philippine float.

The Chair of the Filipino LGBT Europe group Chris Sta. Brigida highlights the idea of the float design in his remarks, “The ancient balangay was the choice for its float as this symbolizes a closed-knit community, looking forward and at times, struggling for recognition and acceptance.”

The festive and colorful sarimanok adorned the balangay of Filipino participants from all over Europe, joined in by participants from Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, France, India, Poland, United States, and Vietnam. 

The Philippine float won third place and Best in Design out of 80 partaking floats at Amsterdam’s increasingly famous boat parade with this year’s  theme, “Remember the past, create the future.” END

Ambassador to the Netherlands Jaime Victor B. Ledda (left) received the organizers of the first Philippine participation in this year’s Amsterdam’s Pride and Filipino LGBT Europe Group Chair Chris Sta. Brigida (second from right). (The Hague PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph  or  https://www.facebook.com/PHinTheNetherlands/.