"BABAE KAMI" Forum Reclaims the 'Babaylan' Spirit for Filipina Trans Women Stories This Women's Month

Talk about gender equality? I've always been an advocate of this belief and campaign. Equality should persist among us, being a believer of fair treatment and fair rights, I firmly hold and trust to this advocacy.  I've been so fortunate to witness this momentous event/ discussion featuring the Filipina Transwomen stories, in relation to the celebration of Women's month. For me... everything and everyone must be fair and with no judgements at all. 

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES --Verde Creatives, under the leadership of ManagingDirector and veteran LGBTQIA+ advocate Ms. Bemz Benedito, was so proud of the forum and film showing, BABAE KAMI: Lakas, Laban, at Likha-A TalkBack featuring Filipina Trans Women Stories." The event took place last March 26, 2026 (Thursday),  at the Dark Roast Coffee House, G/F TKC Square Bldg., Maginhawa, Quezon City.

Ms. Bemz Benedito, Verde Creatives, ManagingDirector and veteran LGBTQIA+ advocate Ms. Bemz Benedito,

This initiative was a centerpiece of the 2026 National Women's Month celebration, which carried the sub-theme "Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas!". By centering the narratives of transpinays (Filipina trans women), the forum seeks to reclaim the ancestral role of the Babaylan-the pre-colonial spiritual and community leaders whose authority was defined by wisdom, empathy, and social mediation.

The program featured a two-part engagement designed to move beyond surface-level visibility toward deep institutional recognition:

Part 1: Film Showing: A screening of A Revolution of the Heart, a documentary produced by students of the University of the Philippines UP) Diliman. The film explores the "revolution" of recognizing trans bodies as sites of inherent dignity and creative potential.

Screening of the Revolution of the Heart

Part 2: TalkBack Forum: An intimate panel discussion that featured Ms. Bemz Benedito, who made history as the first transgender woman to run as a congressional nominee in the Philippines. Joining her were representatives from the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), the nation's pioneer advocacy group for legal gender recognition, a grassroots group recognized for its livelihood programs for trans persons deprived of liberty (PDL).

Here are some of the videos from the said forum:

"Filipinos are often noted for their kindness and tolerance, but our ultimate goal is full acceptance and equality," says Ms. Benedito, a recipient of the Global Transgender Hero award. "This forum aims to challenge the 'stereotypical boxes of trans women and highlight our contributions through Lakas (strength), Laban struggle), and Likha (creation)"

The discussion arrived at a landmark moment for the community following the February 2026 Supreme Court ruling that recognized the property co-ownership rights of same-sex couples, a watershed decision for LGBTQIA+ rights in the nation. Panelists will also address the urgent need for the SOGIE Equality Bill.

which currently stands as the longest-running piece of legislation under interpellation in Senate history.

About Verde Creatives: Verde Creatives is an agency that leverages the creative

arts to promote diversity, peace, and unity within the Philippines

About STRAP: Established in 2002, STRAP is the pioneer support and human

rights advocacy organization for transpinays in the Philippines, advocating for

legal gender recognition and a society free from transphobia.