Published by: Jasmine Priya G. Nadarajan
Date Published: September 23, 2024
Time Published: 6:21 PM
"May lahi ba yan?" is the common question Filipino ask when it comes to owning pets. We can't deny that animals, like dogs, who have a popular breed like Shih Tzus, are granted more privileges than those who do not. They receive significantly better services and care. However, in the case, what about the dogs that don't have a "likeable" breed? The gap established between such breeds raises important questions about how the lesser-known are treated, like Aspins.
Aspin, a shortened term for Asong Pinoy, is the recognized breed of our local dogs. They typically appear to have a short coat, medium to long snout, and a midsized build.They typically appear to have a short coat, medium to long snout, and a midsized build. Aspins were previously referred to as Asong Kalye or Askal, meaning street dogs, until the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) proposed the word Aspin in 2007 as an alternative, with the goal of spreading a positive view towards the said dog breed [1]. Even so, discrimination and misconceptions about them are still occurring up until now.
In the current year, a number of issues have arisen involving animal abuse and maltreatment. These include dogs like Yoda, who recently got denied from entering a "pet-friendly" restaurant in Tagaytay; Erika, who was continuously stabbed to death after being mistaken for a dog that bit a Korean national [2], and an unnamed dog who was grabbed by the leash and harshly spun around in the air [3]. Although these incidents took place in a different place and time, they have one thing in common: the victims were all Aspins.
In relation to this, several concerned citizens as well as celebrities stepped up to promote awareness about the injustice that Aspins are experiencing. Using social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, they helped deal with the false impressions imposed on the dog breed through posting Aspin-related content or releasing statements that boost the breed's image. PAWS, together with pet advocates, reiterate that the inequality against Aspins needs to be eliminated. "Aspins, like any other breed, deserve to be loved and valued. Our native dogs are incredibly beautiful, intelligent, loyal, and unique, and they deserve to be treated with the same respect and affection as any other, because they too are cherished and irreplaceable members of our families," PAWS shared on a Facebook post [4].
With that said, let's get to know Filipino celebrities who are proud Aspin owners and
are continously conquering the stereotypes regarding the dog breed. These public
figures exemplify how we should love Aspins and see beauty beyond their breed.
HEART EVANGELISTA
Heart Evangelista is a personality prominent in the fashion and showbiz industries
However, outside her line of work, she is very vocal in her social media accounts
about being an animal lover. She uses her platforms to advocate for animal welfare
and to speak up about related issues such as the Aspin controversy in Balay Dako.
Currently, Evangelista is a furparent of 3 dogs, one of which is an Aspin named
Panda. With Heart's motherly love for her pets, Panda never misses out when it
Currently, Evangelista is a furparent of 3 dogs, one of which is an Aspin named
Panda. With Heart's motherly love for her pets, Panda never misses out when it
comes to pictorials and her mom's content creation. Panda even went viral for her
designer leash,clothes, bed, and other accessories that cost thousands of pesos.
Netizens noticed how Heart Evangelista's dog's including Panda, were living a
life of luxury.
Furthermore, the fashion icon believes that Aspins, as long as they are treated correctly can be a cherished part of the family.
"Minsan meron tayong mga household na' yung aso nila ginagawa nilang alarm or doorbell ng bahay nila. Basta kapag Aspin nakatali lang iyon o nakakulong pero tignan mo nga naman 'di ba. Kapag trinato mo sila ng tama, parang tao" she stated in an interview [5].
ALDEN RICHARDS
Alden Richards is an actor from GMA Network who became popular for his loveteam
ALDEN RICHARDS
Alden Richards is an actor from GMA Network who became popular for his loveteam
"Aldub." He was also a host on the TV show "Eat Bulaga!" where his career started
to take off.
Apart from being an actor and starring in major teleseryes, Alden is also a certified Aspin lover. In 2022, he was featured in the campaign "I Love My Aspin" led by PAWS. The organization released a photo of the actor with his seven-year-old Aspin, Chichi.
“With this campaign, I want to tell everyone na I am a proud Aspin parent. I think the
aspins need to be talked about more – how they make great pets and that they
Apart from being an actor and starring in major teleseryes, Alden is also a certified Aspin lover. In 2022, he was featured in the campaign "I Love My Aspin" led by PAWS. The organization released a photo of the actor with his seven-year-old Aspin, Chichi.
“With this campaign, I want to tell everyone na I am a proud Aspin parent. I think the
aspins need to be talked about more – how they make great pets and that they
deserve na magkaroon ng pamilyang mamahalin at magmamahal sa kanila,"
The actor shared in the campaign [6].
SHARON CUNETA
Sharon Cuneta is one of the famous figures in the entertainment sector. Mr. DJ,
Sharon Cuneta is one of the famous figures in the entertainment sector. Mr. DJ,
Bituing Walang Ningning, and Maging Sino Ka Man are some of the singer-actress'
best hits.
During a taping for her film, Sharon Cuneta met a stray Aspin, which she later
adopted and named after the place of their first encounter, Pawi. Upon Pawi's
adoption the singer-actress enthusiastically shared her sentiments towards the Aspin.
"You are safe now, baby boy. Mama’s here now and I will love you...I will make the
rest of your years happy and you will never have to search or beg for food again
or a place to sleep where you would feel safe...never have to panic to seek shelter
or a place to sleep where you would feel safe...never have to panic to seek shelter
from the rain and other elements... You will become a prince and be loved like you've
never been loved before! Sharon Cuneta said [7].
KIM ATIENZA
Kim Atienza, a.k.a. Kuya Kim, is recognized for his skills in television broadcasting,
Kim Atienza, a.k.a. Kuya Kim, is recognized for his skills in television broadcasting,
specifically for being a weather reporter and for sharing facts about exotic animals.
As an avid animal lover, Kuya Kim also expressed his dedication towards Aspins.
As an avid animal lover, Kuya Kim also expressed his dedication towards Aspins.
In fact, he now has more than forty dogs, who mostly belong to the said dog breed.
His dogs also receive equal love and care, regardless of their breed.
Additionally, he shared an impactful message not just for Aspins but for all dogs in
His dogs also receive equal love and care, regardless of their breed.
Additionally, he shared an impactful message not just for Aspins but for all dogs in
general.
“There are no bad dogs, only bad owners," Kuya Kim stated [8].
He emphasized that a dog's behavior is dependent upon its owner. This implies that
“There are no bad dogs, only bad owners," Kuya Kim stated [8].
He emphasized that a dog's behavior is dependent upon its owner. This implies that
it's not the dog that is at fault for misbehaving but rather the owner for not properly
handling their pets. The former ABS-CBN weather presenter also added that it
requires responsibility to take care of a dog, so if you can't manage it, don't get many
handling their pets. The former ABS-CBN weather presenter also added that it
requires responsibility to take care of a dog, so if you can't manage it, don't get many
or just don't get a dog at all. As a result, netizens agreed with Kuya Kim and sent him
as comments appreciating his pure love for animals.
Heart Evangelista, Alden Richards, Sharon Cuneta, and Kim Atienza definitely helped
as comments appreciating his pure love for animals.
Heart Evangelista, Alden Richards, Sharon Cuneta, and Kim Atienza definitely helped
in addressing the stigma regarding Aspins. It may not have been revolutionary, but
these celebrities have contributed to promoting a positive perception towards Aspins
these celebrities have contributed to promoting a positive perception towards Aspins
in their own ways.
They are commendable for wholeheartedly using their influence in the media for the
They are commendable for wholeheartedly using their influence in the media for the
sake of animals. Let them be our inspiration to value Aspins more and act as one
to further oppose the Aspin discrimination. In that way, we can make derogatory
phrases like "Ay, Aspin lang" and "Yuck, Aspin!" eventually disappear.
REFERENCES:
[1] Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). (2024, August 17). Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/D91j3yjH9A1Y2ufC/?mibextid=oFDknk
2] Guiao, M. (2024, March 20). Before Killua: This Aspin Was Killed After Being Mistaken for Another Dog. Spot.ph.
https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/trending/108410/aspin-death-manila-a5229-20240
to further oppose the Aspin discrimination. In that way, we can make derogatory
phrases like "Ay, Aspin lang" and "Yuck, Aspin!" eventually disappear.
REFERENCES:
[1] Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). (2024, August 17). Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/D91j3yjH9A1Y2ufC/?mibextid=oFDknk
2] Guiao, M. (2024, March 20). Before Killua: This Aspin Was Killed After Being Mistaken for Another Dog. Spot.ph.
https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/trending/108410/aspin-death-manila-a5229-20240
320?s=9enp437971t55cq5ae34pkabiq
[3] GMA Network. (2024, May 10). Man may face charges after being caught on video
[3] GMA Network. (2024, May 10). Man may face charges after being caught on video
lifting, whirling dog by the leash.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/906322/man-may-face-charges
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/906322/man-may-face-charges
-after-being-caught-on-video-lifting-whirling-dog-by-the-leash/story/
[4] Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). (2024, September 9). Facebook.
[4] Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). (2024, September 9). Facebook.
https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=921267183367812&id=100064536166418&set=a.
[5] Kang, K. (2024, August 28). Heart Evangelista educates the youth about animal
welfare GMA Entertainment. https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/celebritylife/news/115431/heart-evangelista-educates-the-youth-about-animal-welfare/story#:~:text=In%20an%20exclusive%20interview%20with,that%20really%20loves%20animals%20talaga.
[6] Gianan, C. (2022b, August 25). Alden Richards advocates for Aspin love with
PAWS. MEGA. https://mega-onemega.com/alden-richards-advocates-for-aspin-love
-with-paws/
[7] GMA News. (2021, March 19). Sharon Cuneta adopts stray dog she “fell in
love with” in Olongapo: “You are safe now.” GMA News Online.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/content/780316/sharon-cuneta-adopts-
stray-dog-she-fell-in-love-with-in-olongapo-you-are-safe-now/story/
[8] Cruz, H. J. (2024, February 14). Kuya Kim Atienza shows off adopted senior
[8] Cruz, H. J. (2024, February 14). Kuya Kim Atienza shows off adopted senior
aspins sends a reminder to furparents. https://www.gmanetwork.com/lifestyle/
news/109782/kuya-kim-atienza-shows-off-adopted-senior-aspins-sends-
a-reminder-to-furparents/story#:~:text=According%20to%20Kuya%
20Kim%2C%20they,of%2046%20dogs%20at%20home
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