A time to dine, a time to celebrate

I have arrived at an age where I prefer to skip attending events at night. For me, the nights that I have free (from presswork at the office) are best spent with my doggie companions, reading a good book, playing PSP games, and getting plenty of zzz’s.

But, the “Dine With PAWS” Year 2 charity event last Saturday at SM Mall of Asia was one that I would not miss. I had my doggie companion Yuri as my dinner date — so there was no way I was not going to be there. You see, if all evening events included at least one doggie companion, I would attend all of them.

The buffet meal for doggies was prepared by Alpo. The setup this year was really grand. It included three barbeque grills and other yummy treats that Yuri had sniffed as soon as we entered the Music Hall of MOA.

So, since we were a bit early, it was off to the buffet table where Yuri got a mouthful of the yummy Alpo food before any other doggie did. The kind waiters at the Alpo buffet were very accommodating, even offering to get Yuri a bowl of water when he needed it. After Yuri had a nibble, I pulled him away from the table so that we could find good seats for ourselves.

PAWS celebrates its 55th anniversary this year and “Dine With PAWS” is one of its many fundraising events lined up for 2009.

To make the night extra special, PAWS’ gave special awards to people and organizations that have contributed greatly to the organization’s goals of preventing animal cruelty and creating a society based on humane principles.

The “PAWS Golden Heart Award” was given to businessman William Chua who donated a rescue vehicle for the shelter; artist Seb Chua for his “The Guardian” sculpture dedicated to all PAWS volunteers and is proudly on display at the PAWS’ shelter; Jericho Rosales and Heart Evangelista for participating in PAWS’ campaign to promote native dogs and cats; Vets in Practice for their medical treatment of rescued animals; lawyer Vicente Roy Kayaban for his legal assistance in animal cruelty cases; celebrities Agot Isidro, Lander Vera-Perez, Regine Tolentino and Reema Chanco for their fund-raising efforts for PAWS.

It was a big night, too, for The Philippine STAR Pet Life Section because it was among the recipients of the PAWS Golden Heart Award. Here’s what PAWS has to say about the Golden Heart Award for the STAR:

“For putting out stories  and features about shelter animals, the Philippine STAR helped increase PAWS’ adoption rates. Also, for consistently supporting PAWS’s fundraising events as media partner, they have helped put PAWS and its message about animal welfare in the center of the news.

 The STAR has chronicled PAWS stories more than any other broadsheet or magazine currently out there.”

PAWS awarded three people the “Order of the Platinum Paw,” the highest award for the evening. They are pet food company Purina for mounting the “Homeless, Not Worthless” campaign which raised awareness about the plight of stray animals; Canine Behavior specialist Jojo Isorena who conducts behavior training for PAWS shelter dogs, helping them increase their chances of being adopted, and actress-singer Karylle for helping in PAWS’ fund-raising activities for the past five years and being their newest spokesperson to promote responsible pet ownership.

While the awarding was going on, I walked over to the human buffet table which was filled with yummy food prepared by Carlito’s Catering. The other doggie guests feasted on the premium entrees laid out by Alpo Chop House like filet mignon, top sirloin, ribeye and roasted chicken. All the dogs also had their fill of pup-pourri buttered vegetables, canine carrot cake, bone appetit liver biscuits, and party animal cheese sticks cooked by PAWS volunteers. 

It was fun to watch the videos of PAWS’ animal shelter and various programs, which PAWS has been doing. The programs include their humane education sessions in schools and Dr. Dog visits to hospitals.

To showcase the miracles that happened in the PAWS’ shelter, three shelter animals who were rescued and rehabilitated by PAWS were presented onstage.

There was Reno, who was rescued with a bloodied face under a jeepney in Cubao; Diana, who was found suffering from an extreme case of malnutrition and mange in a road hole in Manila, and Savannah, who had a lump the size of a duckpin bowling ball on her leg when she was rescued by PAWS along Kalayaan Avenue.

PAWS program director Anna Cabrera hopes that the dog’s stories will inspire people to help similarly rescued animals get another chance at a good life by adopting from shelters or pounds instead of buying a pet.

PAWS celebrity supporters Karylle, Louie Heredia, Gretchen Espino, and The Speed Dancers entertained the guests with song and dance numbers while JM Rodriguez and Patricia Hizon hosted the program.

“Dine with PAWS” was made possible through the generous support of Alpo Chop House and SM Mall of Asia, McDonald’s, Frontline Plus, OdorLess & MaxiCoat, Carlito’s Catering, Magnolia Healthtea, Magnolia Fruitdrink, Magnolia Purewater, The White Hat, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Krispy Kreme, Jelly Bellies Party Experts, BubbaTea-licious Pearl Milk Tea, Hanadeka Products and Philippine STAR Pet Life Section.