Giting Awards Deliberation Process

The judging panel

The initial deliberation lasted for a total of six (6) hours on October 19, 2011 in Adarna Food and Culture. The sixteen (16) nominees were ranked using a quantitative method after the judges went through the  nomination forms. 

Judges Malu and Perci discuss the nomination forms

Judges Eric and Rica during the deliberation process

The nominees, listed in no particular order, are:

• Reighben Labilles-Lacsamana
• Divine Lee
• Roel Andag
• Danton Remoto
• Marivic Desquitado
• Oscar Atadero
• Boy Abunda
• Germaine Leonin
• Norma Adecer
• Venir Cuyco
• Shelfa Alojamiento
• Bemz Benedito
• Angie Umbac
• Romrico Luga
• Neil Garcia
• Richard Mickley

The list of awardees will be finalized tonight, October 22, 2011.

The names of the awardees will be announced during the recognition ceremony on October 29, 2011 in Adarna Food and Culture, 1-3 pm. The nominees, judges, LGBT group representatives and media outfits will attend the event.

Judges Rica and Giney in one of Adarna's function rooms

Adarna's dining area

The Giting Awards is a project of Lesbian Activism Project, Inc. and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It aims to gather the Filipino LGBT community's most inspiring stories and give positive visibility to LGBT individuals. For questions and clarifications, contact the secretariat.

 

Update: Awarding Ceremony Moved to October 29

The recognition ceremony for the Giting Awards has been moved to October 29, 2011 due to unforeseen circumstances. The ceremony will take place in Adarna Food and Culture, 1-3 pm. The organizers will invite media to cover the event. 

The winners of the award will be announced on the day of the event. Attendees are encouraged to wear Filipiniana attire. 

For questions and concerns, kindly contact the secretariat. 

The Nominations Are In

The open call for nominations ended on midnight of October 9, 2011. LeAP! thanks everyone who submitted their nominations. We're happy to have gathered many diverse and inspirational narratives of LGBT individuals and allies from all over the Philippines.

The deliberation process will commence within the week, while the recognition ceremony will take place on October 22, 2011.

For questions or clarifications, contact the Giting Awards secretariat.

Updates on Giting Awards

The Giting Awards secretariat will extend the open call for nominations to midnight of October 9, 2011. 

We also revoke the mechanism that requires nominators to get the consent of the nominee - - the secretariat will take the responsibility of contacting the nominee and get the person's consent in the event that he or she becomes shortlisted for the award.

You can send your nominations by email or snail mail to the contact details specified in the nomination package.

The awarding ceremony has also been moved to October 22, 2011.

Featured Judge: Giney Villar

During an online correspondence with the secretariat, Giney answers a few questions for us.

1.  How did you get into LGBT activism?

I wanted to write a book, hopefully with other lesbians about the lesbian experience in the Philippines. This was in 1990. Sometime [in] 1991-2, I met Pia Arboleda who managed a feminist bookstore run by WICCA (writers involved in creating cultural alternatives- a feminist writers group) who then introduced me to two more women, namely Lorna Israel and Aida F. Santos, who said [they] might be interested about this "personal" book project.

I was then invited to join a small group of lesbian-feminists that was just beginning to form a collective. The small group eventually became known as The Lesbian Collective (TLC) and our first 'official' act was to join the International Women's Day March in 1992.  From there, my feminist-lesbian education continued through engagement with various feminist groups and other LGBT groups locally and internationally. 

Photo taken by Ria Regino for Clash of the Toque-en Ones 2010

2.  Why do you think it's important to recognize people who have contributed to the Filipino LGBT community?

I think it is important to give recognition/ thanks to people who contribute  to the welfare of LGBTs who have to live with discrimination and homophobia every day of their lives. For LGBT activists, both 'formal' and organic, it is heartening to know that there are people who continue to provide support in their respective fields without any expectations. 

3.Who inspires you and how are you like them?

Young LGBTs with the enthusiasm they show. I wish they would learn from what we have done, learn from such experiences and do better to propel the 'fight' forward. I am inspired by LGBTs who come out everyday and contribute to our common visibility in various fields because that shows our diversity to hopefully break stereotypes and open opportunities and spaces for other LGBTs. 

I am inspired by LGBTs who show that our sexuality is only, albeit major, part of our personhood and that we do not, and should not be made to survive in this country by having to make that our only career.  

I am a bit of all these people. Fight the good fight with all your rainbow heart. 

The LGBT Giting Awards aims to gather our community's most inspiring stories in relation to the Yogyakarta Principles, as well as give formal recognition to LGBT Filipinos and LGBT allies who have made contributions to the community.

The open call for nominations ends on midnight of October 9, 2011.

Presenting the Award Logo

Created by MJ Yap

Update: Judging Panel

The secretariat would like to announce that Rica Paras, Vice Chair of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) will be replacing Naomi Fontanos in the Giting Awards' judging panel. Naomi takes credit for contributing to the development of the awards' mechanics and nomination packages, as well as the award name.

To get to know the new judge, the secretariat sat down with Rica Paras for a short chat.

1. How did you get into LGBT activism?

I was looking for a support group and the support we give leads to activism to find long term solution to address our issues. I love LGBT, and since Activism protects this community, I do it out of love.

2. Why do you think it's important to recognize people who have contributed to the Filipino LGBT community?

To inspire. Growing up, I was looking for a role model to emulate and I struggled though that. I survived though but we should assist the next generation to have a clear direction.

3.Who inspires you and how are you like them?

I do not have anybody in particular but anybody I meet who believes in human rights and makes an effort to protect it inspires me.

Rica joins Perci Cendana (National Youth Commission), Eric Manalastas (UP Diliman's Psychology Department) Malu Marin (Action for Health Initiatives) and Giney Villar (Adarna Food and Culture) in the Giting Awards' judging panel.

The open call for nominations ends on October 1, 2011.

*Image taken with permission from http://pinaytg.blogspot.com