PETA 'appeels' for vegetarianism

MANILA, Philippines - The animal-rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals (PETA) has found another way to promote vegetarianism.

PETA officials yesterday put up a five-foot pile of bananas at the Rajah Sulaiman Park in Malate, Manila to encourage the public to shift to a vegan lifestyle.

They also displayed posters with the words “Unpeel the vegetarian in you” and “Appeel for compassion: Go Vegan.”

“It’s a good sight to see a five-foot pile of bananas. It is a good way to attract attention. We would do whatever it takes to attract attention and help the animals,” PETA Asia’s Rochelle Regodon said.

About 8,000 pieces of ripe bananas were used in yesterday's event.

“We thought it would be a fun way for people to talk about a more serious issue, the suffering of animals in factory farms. We want to bring smiles to the people when they see the five-feet pile of bananas, Regodon said. Regodon said the public should be educated on how animals are being killed for human consumption.

“We want them to think what goes on in slaughter houses; how chickens are shackled upside down by their legs before their throats are slit; how piglets have their teeth and tails pulled out without any painkillers and antibiotics; and cows hoisted by their hind legs are hacked apart while they are still alive or conscious,” Regodon said.

After yesterday’s event, the group gave the bananas to an orphanage and schools in Malate.