White Party Manila marked its return after more than a decade with a P1-million donation to HIV advocacy organization LoveYourself during its Pride Month celebration held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Saturday, June 27.
The donation was turned over onstage by comedian-host Vice Ganda and organizers from Mentorque Productions.
According to the organizers, P700,000 was raised through the event, while Mentorque Inc., led by CEO Bryan Diamante, added P300,000 to bring the total donation to P1 million for LoveYourself, a nonprofit organization that provides HIV awareness, testing, treatment and support services.
Diamante said Vice Ganda was the ‘perfect person’ to represent the comeback of White Party Manila, one of the Philippines’ biggest Pride celebrations.
‘Having Vice as the face of this year’s comeback feels more meaningful, especially as we reignite the spirit of Pride through celebration, community, and purpose while delivering a Pride night to remember,’ he said.
The event featured performances from OPM acts including Maki, Gloc-9, Marina Summers, Maxie Anderson, BenandBen and the SexBomb Girls. The latter was later recognized as the event’s ‘Gay Icon of the Year.’
A fashion show was also held featuring Janella Salvador, Mimiyuuuh, Chie Filomeno, Alex Diaz, Kirk Bondad, Ron Angeles and Teejay Marquez.
Among the other personalities who attended were Ice Seguerra and partner Liza Diño, John Lapus, Joey Mead-King, Angie King, Andoy Ranay, Martin del Rosario and Yayo Aguila.
The event also honored Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, Mayor Isko Moreno of Manila, Mayor Francis Zamora of San Juan City and Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano of Pasay City for their allyship to the queer community.
Mark Bautista at White Party Manila 2026
Mark Bautista at White Party Manila 2026. Photo: INQUIRER.net/Jessica Ann Evangelista
Meanwhile, singer Mark Bautista, who attended the event for the very first time, said it’s his way of giving support to the community where he belongs.
‘I think it’s a very important event and I have to show my support to the community where I belong. As a celebrity, it’s a big thing to see that there’s support from our industry. I think it’s a big help especially when they see a celebrity who is supportive and showing love for the community,’ he told Inquirer Entertainment during a brief chat.
Bautista came out publicly as bisexual through his memoir, ‘Beyond the Mark’ in 2018.