Back in 1985, American advocates Frank Wager and Jorge Suarez organized the very first White Party event in Miami as a fundraiser to support efforts against HIV and AIDS, which at the time, was fueling discrimination against the gay community.

From there, White Party became a significant part of queer history and a platform for other marginalized groups seeking to push back against stigma and discrimination, guided by the theme that “everyone is equal in white.”

Eventually, White Parties were held worldwide, including in Manila, where it was once among the most notable gatherings in Malate during the early 2000s, with attendees dressing in white as a symbol of solidarity, visibility, and collective action in raising awareness about the struggles faced by the queer community.

Mentorque Productions, the local organizer, followed this same concept, integrating music, dance, and live performances to create a space where the LGBTQIA+ community can socialize, connect, and celebrate freely.

The event eventually became known as one of the biggest highlights of the queer nightlife scene, running for more than a decade before halting production in 2014 due to logistical challenges.

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Now, after a 12-year hiatus, White Party returns to Manila, aiming not only to be bigger and bolder, but also to introduce it to a younger generation.

Set on June 27 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, the event will gather LGBTQIA+ celebrities led by multi-awarded comedian, host, and actor Vice Ganda, drag superstar Marina Summers, singer Ice Seguerra, and queer personalities like John Sweet Lapus, Mimiyuuuh, Angie King, and Jervi “KaladKaren” Wrightson. 

“Celebrating with everyone in white, seeing that sea of beautiful individuals united for a common goal, is such a powerful experience,” said Vice Ganda. “Coming together, meeting new friends, and reconnecting with people I haven’t seen in so long — that’s really what I look forward to.”

Beyond the music and festivities, the artists and returning organizer Mentorque Productions hope White Party will strengthen the community’s awareness of sexual health, HIV education, and inclusivity.

“I believe every effort from the LGBTQIA+ community deserves support,” television personality and gay rights advocate KaladKaren said.

“Who else would support LGBTQIA+ events like these if not LGBTQIA+ artists themselves?”

This year’s theme “Reignite” reflects the show’s growth while continuing the legacy of advocacy that White Party has long represented.

White Party will be held in collaboration with LoveYourself, a community-led, non-profit organization at the forefront of the country’s efforts to promote sexual health and stigma-free services for HIV testing, treatment, and research.

LoveYourself will also be the main beneficiary of the event, with a portion of the proceeds helping support its projects and programs in hopes of further expanding its operations.

“White Party will just be a vehicle of awareness in bringing the community together,” said Mentorque Productions president Brian Dy. “We want this to be a vehicle of LoveYourself.”

LoveYourself now operates in 75 community-led clinics and serves more than 25,000 patients throughout the country.

“[This is] for them to be able to do more,” said Dy. “One thing that also triggered me to really do White Party is… there’s a lot of [misinformation] on the high-level number of HIV patients.” 

“I think that the LGBT community has to be together so that at least mas maintindihan (to understand better) the numbers, the needs.”

According to Dy, while testing and healthcare services have become more accessible over the years, fear and stigma still prevent many people from openly discussing their health concerns or seeking help.

“It’s there, it’s easy, it’s accessible but no one knows because… there’s a phobia, there’s still stigma,” he said. “It’s nothing to be scared about.”

In recent years, cases of HIV in the country have increased by more than 500%, which has also prompted calls to declare it as a public health emergency.

Dy said this is why it’s the perfect timing to bring back White Party in Manila as it stands with its primary goal to help younger generations better understand the realities of the virus, and teach them how to face them amid misinformation and scrutiny from other people

“That can actually be a good thing. That people are now more aware of their health, that’s better,” he said. “The bigger the number [of cases], it’s because more people are getting tested.”

Looking ahead, Mentorque Productions shared its vision of making White Party a yearly tradition and once again becoming one of the biggest gatherings for the LGBTQIA+ community in the country.

“I wanted it to be back as a tradition,” Dy shared. “I wanted it to be back as a staple yearly so that it keeps bringing everybody together.”

The long-term goal, he added, is for the event to further support initiatives that expand clinics, encourage more people to get tested, and normalize conversations surrounding sexual health without fear or stigma.

“And that’s the idea of White Party,” he concluded. “I really want this in the future to be big again, to continuously grow yearly.” – Rappler.com