2020 Summary Report
January 2020
LGBTQ Photo of the Year 2019
Year 2020, started with a win when Filipino LGBT Europe Chairperson Chris Sta Brigida’s photo holding the rainbow flag on board the Philippine Balangay was announced as the LGBTQ Photo of the Year 2019 by The Standard newspaper in Thailand. Read more via this link.
January 2020
2020 Annual Planning Workshop
On 7th January 2020, the first official meeting of Filipino LGBT Europe was held in Amsterdam to set plan for the year 2020. The theme for this year’s projects and events is Community Building: One Community, One Advocacy, One Community.
January 2020
Launched Two Regular Events in Amsterdam
Kendeng Day Launched
Filipino LGBT Europe launched Kendend Day a Zumba style Dance Rehearsals starting February! We have Zumba Instructor Walter Labajo EU to guide us and teach us some moves! Read more.
M2M Launched every 1st Wednesday of the Month
Filipino LGBT Europe launched M2M (Movies and Music) Night every first Wednesday of the month. Read more.
January 2020
Announces Participation to European Pride Events 2020
Filipino LGBT Europe dedicate this year to Community Building. We aim to build a strong Filipino LGBT local communities in Europe, therefore to rally support and foster sense of community the foundation announces participation to various Pride Events in Europe including but not limited to Amsterdam, London, Brussels, Cologne, Geneva, Paris and Vienna. Event page.
January 2020
Filipino LGBT Europe starts networking with various interest groups
Filipino LGBT Europe attends Pinay sa Holland Migrant Meeting
Filipino LGBT Europe attends Pinay sa Holland Gabriela’s Migrants Rights and Recognition of Domestic Work as Work Meeting at Nassaukerk in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Read more.
Filipino LGBT Europe meets Trans Amsterdam
Filipino LGBT Europe attends TransAmsterdam’s New Year celebration at The Manor Hotel in Amsterdam last Friday, 31 January 2020. Read more
Filipino LGBT Europe meets Migrante Utrecht
Filipino LGBT Europe attends Migrante Utrecht’s Migrants Talk with Dr Marieanne van Erp from Dokters van de Wereld, Immigration Lawyer Anton G. Kleijweg and Family Lawyer Roberto G. Groen on Sunday, 25 January 2020 in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Read more.
February 2020
Filipino LGBT Europe celebrates a lot of First in February
1st Filipino Trans Community Meeting held
First Kendeng Day espisode on 3rd February 2020 at Chasse Dance Studios with Zumba Instructor Walter Labajo to learn new dance routine to be performed at various Pride celebrations in Europe. Read more.
1st M2M Monthly Social Event held
On Wednesady, 3rd February 2020 the first M2M 1st Wednesdays monthly meet up organised by Filipino LGBT Europe was attended by Filipino LGBTs based in Europe and their allies. Read more.
1st Kendeng Day – Zumba Day Weekly classes held
First Kendeng Day espisode on 3rd February 2020 at Chasse Dance Studios with Zumba Instructor Walter Labajo to learn new dance routine to be performed at various Pride celebrations in Europe. Read more.
March 2020
Filipino LGBT Europe co-hosted a Trans Talk at CinemAsia Film Festival
Filipino LGBT Europe in collaboration with CinemAsia and Trans United Europe/Trans BPOC European network hosted a panel discussion on The Future of Trans Politics on Friday, March 6, from 19:00 at Studio K in Amsterdam. Read more.
Ayuda sa Amsterdam (March 2020 – Dec 2020)
Covid-19 Community Service
March 2020
COVID-19 Declared Pandemic, Lockdown Commenced in Europe
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in January 2020, and a pandemic in March 2020.
On 31 January 2020, Italy had its first confirmed cases. On 13 March 2020, the World Health Organisation considered Europe the active centre of the pandemic. Read more
March 2020
Filipino LGBT Europe called for a Special Meeting
Filipino LGBT Europe called for a Special Meeting to discuss the impact of the pandemic to Filipino LGBT community in Europe and the Philippines.
The Special Meeting identified two major issues and two most vulnerable sectors that would be greatly affected by this pandemic.
The group identified financial and mental health as forceable major challenge for the community where irregular migrants and elderly group would be the most vulnerably affected.
March 2020
Filipino LGBT Europe suspends ALL Events due to Covid-19
Following the emergency meeting, Filipino LGBT Europe suspends all planned events for the coming months until further notice. Read more.
Kendeng Day – LIVE Zumba Online Classes Launched
To keep everyone connected, healthy and to boost the morale of everyone, an online zumba classes was introduced. Zumba Instructors Walter Labajo and John Brian Fuentes alternately holds FREE LIVE Zumba Online Classes every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays! They will be broadcasting live from Germany and The Netherlands.
Thank you very much to all our Supporters & Volunteers
April 2020
Free Legal Aid to Filipino LGBT frontlines in the UK
The Filipino LGBT Europe wants to recognize the efforts and contributions of our frontliners working in the United Kingdom. Frontliner’s heroism and bravery in these difficult times have helped thousands of people needing health care and attention. Unfortunately, hundreds of health workers are also at great risk in battling COVID-19. Many Filipino health workers have already lost their lives and a number of others are critically ill.
The Filipino LGBT Europe understands that this is a matter of life and death, and therefore we would like to offer free legal consultation for last will and testament to our frontliners who are members of the LGBT community in the United Kingdom.
April 2020
Two fundraising events held
Online BINGO Fundraising for vulnerable Filipino LGBTs in Europe and Home for Golden Gays in Manila
On 25 April 2020, Filipino LGBT Europe hosted an ONLINE BINGO Fundraising event to raise funds for vulnerable Filipino LGBTs in Europe and the Home of Golden Gays in Manila affected by Covid-19.
“This event was organised to create a venue for Filipino LGBTs in Europe to meet vitually during the Europe wide lockdown and to raised money to support the most vulnerable members of our community in Europe and the senior members of our community at the Home of Golden Gays in Manila.” Chris Sta Brigida chairperson of Filipino LGBT Europe said during the ONLINE BINGO live broadcast.
May 2020
Zumba Fundraising for Golden Gays Manila
On 2 May 2020, Filipino LGBT Europe, in cooperation with Zumba Instructors Walter Llabajo and John Brian held an online Zumba Fundraising for the benefit of the Home for the Golden Gays or popularly known as ‘Golden Gays’, a Philippine non-profit organization established in 1975 that provides support and care facilities for elderly LGBTQIs. The organization houses around 40 active members mostly aged 60 and above, who are colloquially known as “Lolas” (Filipino for “grandmother”).
June 2020
Filipino LGBT Europe sends LOVE to Golden Gays Manila
On 27 June 2020, Filipino LGBT Europe Liason Officer Aaron Calingacion met the residents of the Golden Gays Manila headed by Ramon Busa to deliver food packs and PhP 50,000.00 cash donations to be used to pay for rent, water and electricity bills for the coming months.
We would like to say Thank you very much once again to all who helped us raised funds during our ONLINE BINGO and ZUMBA Fundraising events held last months.
From Advocacy to Humanitarian Work
Weekly Food Aid Distribution in Amsterdam
May – July 2020
Partnership with FILCOM-NL
Filipino LGBT Europe joins FILCOM-NL to help the Filipino Community in the Netherlands
In May 2020, Filipino organisations based in the Netherlands joined force to provide aid to displaced Filipinos affected by covid-19 pandemic. An ad-hoc alliance organisation called FILCOM-NL was created and formed.
Chris Sta Brigida, chairperson of the Filipino LGBT Europe, represented the foundation in the alliance. Filipino LGBT Europe became an active member of the following committees: Advertising Committee (Facebook page management); Social Services Committee (providing telephone Counselling) and Distribution Committee (Distributing Ayuda in Amsterdam).
May & July 2020
Helped Philippine Embassy The Hague
Filipino LGBT Europe distribute aid of Philippine Embassy in Amsterdam
Philippine Embassy The Hague responded to give aid to displaced Filipinos in the Netherlands. Filipino LGBT Europe, working under the banner of FILCOM-NL, volunteered to distribute food aid packs prepared by the embassy personnel. The food packs was delivered by the embassy and distributed at the headquarters of the foundation in Amsterdam centre.
A total of 115 food packs were given by the Philippine Embassy for Filipinos residing in and near Amsterdam, first batch of 65 food packs were distributed on 17th May and another batch of 50 food packs were distributed on 7th July 2020.
July 2020
Distributes Food Packs and Grocery Food Vouchers from Red Cross Netherlands
Filipino LGBT Europe receives help from Red Cross Netherlands
Filipino LGBT Europe distributes food packs from Red Cross Netherlands for those who do not have access to government support or normal food bank.
Since July 2020, food packs and grocery food vouchers are distributed to displaced Filipinos in Amsterdam. Priority are given to irregular migrants who lost their jobs due to effects of lockdown caused by the pandemic.
October 2020
Sant’ Egidio opens its door for the community
Filipino LGBT Europe receives help from Sant’ Egidio Community
On Oct 2020, Moses and Aaron Church / Sant’ Egidio Community opens its doors and supports the community work of Filipino LGBT Europe – Food Aid Distribution program to displaced Filipinos in Amsterdam caused by effect of covid-19 pandemic.
From distributing Food Aid in front of Chris Sta Brigida’s house at Kloveniersburgwal in Amsterdam, food distribution moved inside the church in Waterlooplein in Amsterdam.
This moved was very vital to continue our work as rain and temperature started to drop. We normally have elderly persons and family with kids queing for help.
October 2020
De Papegaai Catholic Community in Amsterdam
Filipino LGBT Europe receives help from De Papegaai Catholic Community
De Papegaai Catholic Community in Amsterdam starts collecting donations from its parishioners for the weekly food aid distribution.
Filipino LGBT Europe started to distribution non-perishable food like coffee, rice, sugar, canned food and other essential food items donated by the De Papegaai Catholic Community.
November 2020
Supports Second Chances PH
Free Tablets for under priviledge Students in the Philippines
Due to the threat of more covid infections, all university and schools have moved to online classes. Not everyone has access to computers or internet to continue their education.
Filipino LGBT Europe supported Second Chances PH project for under priviledge students in the Philippines by sponsoring one TABLET to be given to a young persistent trans girl student.
December 2020
Project Christmas Bigas Bonus
Filipino LGBT Europe gives away Rice Packs, AH Voucher, Grocery & Cake for Christmas and New Year
Ayuda sa Amsterdam Team brings Christmas to those who are still in need of help due to the effects of covid-19 pandemic.
May this small gesture reminds and gives everyone some sense of HOME, FAMILY and COMMUNITY. 
Total Distributed Aid
Distributed Grocery Food Vouchers
Distributed Food Packs
Persons Helped
Note: Distributed Food Aid between May 2020 up to December 2020.
We will always remember the kindness, generosity and compassion you have extended to our community!
Thank you very much to all for giving us trust
