QUEZON CITY, Philippines – PANTAY celebrated the successful conclusion of Project GEIS (Gender Equality and Inclusion in Schools) Year 2 with a joyous Equality Night, bringing together students and youth leaders, educators, and national partners committed to advancing inclusive education across the Philippines.
Senator Bam Aquino commended PANTAY for being at the forefront of advancing gender equality, human rights, and inclusive democracy in the Philippines, committing to join them in their desire to promote dignity, respect, and equality in our schools.
“Inclusive education takes youth who share their stories with honesty and hope, and partnerships like Project GEIS, where government, civil societies, and communities work side by side,” Hon. Leah T. Villalon, MNSA, Executive Director National Youth Commission said.
A message from Atty. Elen Pasion, Undersecretary and Chairperson of the Presidential Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ Affairs, Diversity, and Inclusion shared similar sentiments, adding their commitment in ensuring that the goals of Project GEIS in inclusive education for all schools are met and sought after.
“Ang mga eskwelahan ay dapat isang ligtas at mapagkalingang learning environment, isang espasyo na nagbibigay ng daan upang maipamalas nila ang tunay nilang kakayahan ng walang takot o pangangamba na mahusgahan,” as said by Asec. Janir Datukan, Assistant Secretary for Learning Systems from the Department of Education, sharing his commitment to equality and non-discrimination in schools.
Participating in the celebration were representatives from the project’s partner schools, particularly from Quezon City, Mandaue City, and Zamboanga City — underscoring the nationwide reach of the project’s impact.
The event opened with remarks from PANTAY Executive Director Rye Manuzon, who highlighted the heart and purpose behind Project GEIS.
“Project GEIS is PANTAY’s love letter to Philippine schools. It is our way of co-building learning environments that are safer, more inclusive, and more affirming for all students — especially LGBTIQ+ learners,” Manuzon said.
The project created and launched the Rainbow Tools: Rainbow Report Card and Rainbow School Kit. The Rainbow Report Card serves as a gender equality index for schools, helping them evaluate how inclusive and gender-sensitive their policies, programs, and practices are.This is complemented by the Rainbow School Kit, which provides concrete steps schools can take to meet the indicators outlined in the report card.
Ms. Ava Co, the project consultant, presented the results of the implementation of these tools across the partner schools, which showed that before the implementation of the Rainbow Tools, many schools merely tolerated LGBTIQ+ students rather than actual acceptance. However, the implementation of the Rainbow Tools helped translate inclusion from policy to practice creating a safer and more inclusive school environment, centered around the lived experiences and stories of the students.
“Across all institutions and stakeholder groups, the Rainbow Tools produced tangible improvements in school environments, demonstrating strong impact, broad applicability, and practical effectiveness,” Co said.
This was similarly shared by the students from partner schools, ending their statements with a call for more equality, love and acceptance, youth representation, and quality and accessible education in schools.
Before closing the evening, PANTAY’s National Convenor Anna Cubacub led the symbolic Toast for Equality, calling attention to the growing movement for safer and more inclusive school environments.
“This is the beginning of a wider, deeper, and lasting movement for inclusion in Philippine schools. With tools like the Rainbow Report Card and the Rainbow School Kit, we have already set in motion changes that will echo across classrooms, campuses, and communities nationwide,“ Cubacub said.
Project GEIS Year 2 is powered by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Philippines and is in official partnership with the Commission on Human Rights.
