(CONVERSATION) CLOSEUP Continues The Dialogues with Love Rules Exhibit

Last week. I got the chance to see one of the most outstanding projects a brand here in PH made. IT was the Closeup FREE TO LOVE CAMPAIGN, recently they held its #LoveRules exhibit, an interactive event celebrating all kinds of love through a panel discussion and different mediums of art.

While we have made leaps and bounds in technological advancements, we still live in a world where something as inherently human as love is controlled by society’s old conventions and traditions. And while modern ideologies now persist, it is surprising to see that even in 2019, notions on age gaps, same-sex relationships, and cultural differences continue to divide today’s world.

So much so that while 90% of today’s Filipino youth dream of a world where people are free to be with the person they’re attracted to, less than half actually feel they have that freedom to do so, fearing shame or discrimination when pursuing seemingly unconventional relationships.

During that afternoon, a very interesting conversation with Andi Eigenmann, Issa Pressman, EG Bauitista and Kat Salao filled the room and talking about breaking the boundaries of love. I can listen to this conversation all day championing reasons about standing up for love.

While support from family and close friends remains the key factor in breaking barriers when it comes to love, what we see around us on TV, movies and social media also provides an avenue to unlock conversations around long-standing relationship stereotypes. Closeup takes this matter to heart as its purpose – showing and championing different kinds of love and mutual respect for all on various platforms, in order to create a society where instead of imposing rules on love, we let love rule

“We, at Closeup, believe that everyone should have the freedom to love, regardless of gender, race, social status, age or religion,” says Carmela Guno, Closeup Philippines Brand Manager. “Through our #FreetoLove campaign and the diverse stories we showcase, we hope to realize our vision of a world where people can get closer to each other, without doubts or fears of judgement or prejudice, ultimately allowing love to rule.”

Scattered around the event were four murals created by graffiti artist Jappy Agoncillo, each highlighting a perceived barrier to relationships and celebrating how Filipino couples overcome these differences – from age and cultural gaps, the stigma around online dating, to acceptance of LGBTQIA couples – championing love above all else.

Providing entertainment for the event were spoken word artists Carla Nicoyco and Alfonso Manalastas, and singer BP Valenzuela. These artists shared their personal works reflecting their experiences of love and how they choose to empower others to love freely.

They also provided

I fell in love with fellow murals because it represents the kind of acceptance the world needs now. ONTHE SIDE OF THIS MURAL tells another way of saying, “DONT LET THE YEARS HOLD YOU BACK”

THIS ONE BELOW FOLLOW WITH “TRUE LOVE CAN START WITH ONE SWIPE”

By bringing forward and highlighting these diverse stories in its Free To Love campaign, Closeup continues to empower everyone to get close and choose love, hoping to create a more accepting and respectful world. Where love has rules, take a stand and let love rule. Here I am with the love rule art.