Six days after the HAU administration rejected four proposed Pride Month activities, the Office of the President on June 9 shut down further discussions with the HAU – University Student Council (HAU-USC) regarding the matter.

The rejected proposals were Mx. Holy Angel University 2026, the installation of pride flags on campus flagpoles, the illumination of rainbow-colored lighting in Don Juan D. Nepomuceno (DJDN) Building, and the replacement of the Inclusivity Walk with a Pride Walk.

Jose Alfonso Palma, HAU-USC Director for Logistics and Pride Month Project Head, said that he and HAU-USC President Aerith Claude Catap were summoned by Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Director Mr. Angelito Silvestre.

It was then reportedly conveyed that the Office of the President was not open to any further dialogue regarding Pride Month.

This came after the HAU Core Group rejected the proposals on June 3 without providing an explanation, prompting the HAU-USC to request a meeting with University President Leopoldo Jaime Valdes to personally present and explain the significance of the proposed activities.

Prior to this development, Palma stated that the proposals were subject to a “back-and-forth discussion” with OSA and the Institute for Christian Formation and Social Integration (ICFSI).

According to  OSA, ICFSI’s approval was required.

However, ICFSI “neither approved nor disapproved” the proposed activities.

“Instead, they provided recommendations and suggestions for each event and indicated that the final approval should come from the OSA,” Palma said.

Among their recommendations was the initial proposal to place pride flags near the Angel Statue. However, this was revised to installing them on campus flagpoles, as the Angel Statue area is considered a “sacred space.”

The proposals were then referred back to the OSA for further consideration.

He noted that the process, involving multiple meetings and continuous back-and-forth discussions, had been “undeniably exhausting.”

“Nevertheless, we remained committed because we believe in advocating for genuine inclusivity and equality,” he said.

He sought clarification from Associate Vice President for Student Services and Affairs Dr. Monina Manalang regarding the non-approval of the events, to which she responded that she would consult the University President on the matter.