This is the heartwarming moment a supportive mum and dad gave free hugs at a Pride event.

Footage shows the elderly couple embracing emotional youngsters while wearing the rainbow-coloured signs in the Makati City area of Manila, the Philippines, on June 24.

The elderly man's poster said ‘free hugs from daddy' while his wife's had the words written ‘free hugs from mama.'

Dozens of passersby stopped to enjoy free hugs from the teary-eyed couple, who were bravely defying the Catholic country's entrenched religious and social stance against homosexuality.

Onlooker Rufaida Abang who joined the event, said: ‘It was really heartwarming to witness that kind of support and love. It was empowering and a huge step towards equality.'

The sweet couple joined thousands at the alternative sexuality event, which was also held simultaneously in different cities across the Southeast Asian archipelago.

The first pride parade was held in New York City on June 28, 1970, one year after the Stonewall riots, where spontaneous protests by members of the gay community were held in response to police brutality.

The parade was organised by the Gay Liberation Front and drew some 1,000 people. Since then, pride parades have become a global phenomenon, with events held in cities all over the world and have lead to equal rights for openly gay people.

However, in recent years the movement has been slammed for becoming too socially aggressive by involving children and what critics claim is an apparent agenda to promote transgenderism and deviant lifestyles.