Pedestrians cross a section in Araneta Center with the colors of the rainbow in Quezon City Monday. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Araneta Center in Quezon City has painted its pedestrian lanes in rainbow colors in support of Pride Month and the annual Pride March, which will be held on June 30.

The popular Cubao commercial hub has four rainbow-colored pedestrian lanes, as well as a rainbow mural at the intersection of Malvar Street and General Aguinaldo Avenue. 

According to Araneta Center's communications and public relations manager Annie Alejo, the “Rainbow Lanes” and the mural are unique ways to celebrate Pride Month, as well as to show respect for diversity.

With an estimated 53,000 engagements on social media, Alejo believes that the project has elicited positive responses and more importantly, stimulated public discussion.

“People tag their friends and ask them to meet up for photos, things like that. If some of that translates to something positive for the LGBTQ+ community, then that’s great. Everything we do is aimed at delivering a positive experience for the people we serve, regardless of groups,” Alejo explained.

Pedestrians cross a section in Araneta Center with the colors of the rainbow in Quezon City Monday. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

For Juan Gabriel De Villa, a Psychology student from the University of the Philippines-Diliman and an advocate of LGBTQ+ rights, acts like these are constant reminders of the presence of the LGBTQs in society.

“It's kind of like how seeing a patriotic movie makes you feel included in something much bigger than yourself. It's that feeling of belonging that makes one isolate the challenges that people from the community face every day, and turn that collective vulnerability into power, into a celebration of individuality,” he said.

The 35-hectare Araneta Center has long used its streets and blank spaces as a medium for urban art. 

The rainbow mural at the intersection of Malvar Street and General Aguinaldo Avenue. Divine Sanchez

“The goal is to let people enjoy the urban art — we have several of them all over the Center — and have the work resonate with them” said Alejo.

Marjorie Go, marketing services manager of Araneta Center, added: “Araneta Center has been found with the vision of service to the greatest number, and we have and will continue to uphold this tradition as we build a community that welcomes everyone.” 

The urban art dedicated to Pride Month will be up until the end of June.

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