Bless and pets and the children
I was at Eastwood Open Park before 2 p.m. last Sunday to attend the annual celebration of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society’s (PAWS) pet blessing.
Being early gave me a chance to observe how humans stroll with their pets in the Eastwood City Mall. Pet lovers are grateful to Eastwood’s Kevin Tan, who a few years ago made Eastwood City a pet-friendly establishment. And by pet-friendly we mean he encouraged storeowners to let humans with their pets into the different establishments at Eastwood City — something that is unique to Eastwood.
So, last Sunday, before the Mass started, Eastwood Mall was filled with happy shoppers with their pets in tow — malling. Big and small dogs with smiling humans were allowed into stores for as long as the responsible pet owners cleaned up after their pets and made sure that no untoward incident took place.
For pet lovers like me, a sight like that is always one that brings a smile to my face.
As it neared 4 p.m., humans and their pets made for the Eastwood Open Park, where the Pet Blessing Mass was to be celebrated.
Every year the Pet Blessing Mass draws a bigger and bigger crowd. This year was no different: a total of 2,500 pet owners attended the Mass.
“I will cherish you and care for you the way God intended for Man to care for all His Creation.
“I promise that you will not feel hunger, fear or pain. That I will not give you up in times of sickness,
The way I know you will stand by me all the days of my life. You are truly God’s gift to me and my family.”
Teary-eyed pet owners broke into applause after they recited this pledge of commitment to love their pets.
Such was the highlight of the special Mass concelebrated by Society of Don Bosco priests Fr. Joey Paras and Fr. Jess Escala in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals.
After the mass, the two priests proceeded to bless the pets individually, much to the delight of the shutterbug pet parents.
Despite appeals to limit the picture-taking away from the altar, both priests were repeatedly asked to pose with the newly blessed pets, which included dogs, cats, turtles, birds, and even a rabbit.
“Dapat pala nagpagawa na lang kayo ng cardboard standees namin para mas madali sa picture taking,” said Fr. Joey in jest. The animal-loving priest elicited much laughter from the crowd by starting the Mass with “In the name of the... Philippine Animal Welfare Society… “ just as parishioners were making the sign of the cross.
Prior to the Mass, a life-sized statue of St Francis of Assisi was paraded around Eastwood City. Fr. Jess was pleased that the procession participants were able to pray the Rosary, as it was also the Feast of the Holy Rosary.
Whether one came for the Mass or the Blessing, all the attendees enjoyed the fun program hosted by DJ Crystal and her Labrador, Marshall. People were visibly entertained by participating in the animal-themed Trivia Game and by the performances of theater stars Dana Sianghio and Carrie Nakpil and Talentadong Pinoy Hall of Famer Wanlu and his puppets.
“We are very happy with the turnout, which was almost double than last year’s. More than anything else, I think people are here to advocate kindness to animals as all religions encourage people to be kind and compassionate,” says Anna Cabrera, PAWS executive director and the Philippine Ambassador of World Animal Day. “It was good of Fr. Joey to mention that we should extend our circle of compassion to the animals because they are also God’s creatures and we have a responsibility to care for them.”
The annual Pet Blessing was made possible by the support of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Eastwood Mall, Pet One Dog Food and Frontline Plus, Dogs and the City ETC, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, Crossover 105.1 and The Philippine STAR Pet Life Section.
