Pet Expo at the Parkmall

CEBU, Philippines - We have pets at home, three shitzus, five cats, seven hogs, three chickens and five goats. I never take care of them, only my parents and sisters do. It's just that, they are there, okay they exist, but so what? All my perceptions changed when I met pet lovers at Parkmall during the first Pet Exposition 2010 event.

Special Animal Organizations in Cebu gathered to showcase their respective pets' assets. Ms. Tessa Banez and Mr. Felipe Enriquez, organizers of the Pet Expo from Asian Betta Alliance-Cebu Chapter, pushed for the holding of this event to provide the best opportunity for exhibitors to endorse their products and services; increase immediate response from potential buyers and gain instant volunteers in their orgs; network and profit from direct and incremental sales.

More than 13 organizations in Cebu responded to the call to participate in the event.

As I toured around to see different animals from different organizations, Crocolandia Foundation Inc, caught my attention first because of that yellow snake placed on their table. According to Ivan Bilon, educational officer of Crocolandia, snakes can be friendly especially if handled well. The yellow snake I was scared of was an Albino Burmese Phyton. Bilon said it is not dangerous because they have been taming and training it to mingle with people. They also brought with them a Caiman-Alligator.

The group of Asian Betta Alliance (A.B.A) showcased their fighting fishes from different breeders in the Philippines. These fishes are easy to take care of. Only fresh water and a clean aquarium is needed to grow these attractive fishes, which can reach from 3 to 5 inches. According to Felipe Arturo of A.B.A, these fishes are easy to breed since it takes only three days for their eggs to hatch. What's exciting with a fighting fish is that you can customize and invent the color you want by cross breeding them, until you come up with a beautiful colored fighting fish.

Another organization present at the event was I.R.O, or Island Rescue Organizations. This group, unlike other organizations, is not composed of breeders but is an organization that gives away animals to be bred and taken cared of. They help not just dogs but also cats and other animals.