A day just for the animals

MANILA, Philippines - World Animal Day” (WAD) started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence, Italy. Oct. 4 was designated as the day to celebrate the diverse roles that animals play in our lives — from being our companions, supporting and enriching our existence, to bringing a sense of wonder into our lives.

 This year, The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), partnering with SM Mall of Asia and Alpo & Friskies, made sure that the animals were given proper tribute on their special day.

 “Voices for the Voiceless,” a World Animal Day concert, was held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall and featured a powerhouse cast of bands, singers, and performers.

Performers like South Border, True Faith, Freestyle, Karylle, Regine Tolentino, Niño Alejandro, NATF, the Speed Dancers, Aliya Parcs, Drizzle with DNA, Dana, Reasons, Kristen Dizon, Jan Nieto, and Apple Chiu performing one after the other electrified the audience. The event was hosted by PAWS celebrity volunteers Marco Mañalac, Patricia Hizon, and Mia Bayuga. 

She can dance: Regine Tolentino with Speed

 Booths of different volunteer and non-profit groups working to improve the welfare of animals were set up at the Music Hall. The groups that participated were Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA) Welfare Philippines, Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), Earth Island Institute, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Philippines, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia Pacific, Feathered Friends Foundation, Strike Animal Welfare Society (SAWS), Palawan Animal Welfare Association (PAWAI), and The Philippine Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA).

 AKF, CARA, and PAWS, the animal welfare groups that spearheaded the successful anti-tambucho killing of pound dogs campaign unveiled “Tama Na!” — a sculpture depicting a native dog on top of a gas chamber with the dog’s paw against the door of the box, which many provincial dog pounds still use to kill unclaimed stray dogs. Recently, the Committee on Animal Welfare (CAW) has retracted approval of the use of vehicle exhaust fumes as a method of euthanasia.  

 Sculptor Seb Chua, who worked on the statue for a month and donated it to PAWS, said that the piece symbolized the animals’ appeal to be treated humanely. 

TV heartthrob Jericho Rosales speaks up for dolphins and marine mammals.

 Paws director Anna Cabrera said that the message of condemnation of cruelty was just as relevant during World Animal Day as the celebration.  “It is our responsibility not to cause animals suffering especially in the way that we end the lives of unclaimed stray dogs,” explained Cabrera.

 The lack of budget for euthanasia drugs as well as the absence of government-subsidized spay-neuter programs are issues that need to be addressed, added Luis Buenaflor of Animal Kingdom Foundation.

 Nancy Cu Unjieng of CARA Welfare quipped that pet owners must consider the spay and neuter of dogs and cats as part of responsible pet ownership.

  TV and movie heartthrob, Jericho Rosales, made a special appearance onstage to speak up for dolphins and marine mammals. Inspired by the Oscar-award winning documentary, The Cove,  the actor said that everyone should remember that these animals are happiest when they are left free. Rosales, who is an avid surfer, says that he feels a connection with dolphins as he encounters them often when he is surfing. “They should not be kept in captivity, madali silang mamatay pag hindi sila malaya (they die young when they are in captivity),” he said

A pause for PAWS: True Faith with PAWS volunteers

 Earth Island Institute and PAWS, in partnership with SM Cinemas, had a special free screening of The Cove at the Director’s Club during the earlier part of the day as part of WAD celebrations.

 With these relevant messages, an animal photo exhibit, fun games for pet owners, and the induction of the PAWS Junior Cadets (more on these in next week’s column), the animals’ cup of celebration indeed runneth over for World Animal Day-Philippines.

 The event was made possible through the generous support of SM Mall of Asia, Alpo & Friskies. Special thanks to Merial Philippines, Frontline Plus, Pet Express, McDonald’s, The Picture Company, By Nature Handmade Soaps, SM Cinema, Subway, Human Nature, Krispy Kreme. Magic 89.9, Mypetchannel.tv, and The Philippine STAR Pet Life Section.