Mikky, Kimmy and Dora
I don’t really watch a lot of movies. But my friend Fiona tells me, “We have to watch Kimmy Dora.”“What’s that?” I ask.“It’s a funny movie. Besides you could use a little more laughter in your life,” Fiona adds. “And I was told that one of the stars in the movie is a doggie.”
So off we went to Glorietta 4 to catch Kimmy Dora.
“Sige na nga, I will treat you to dinner after the movie,” Fiona offers.
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The campaign of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) to bring the Aspin (asong Pinoy) to the level of the purebred dogs has been a long and uphill climb.
“I want to get the Aspin recognized worldwide as the Filipino dog,” has been Nita Lichauco’s battle cry for many years now. “There are just a lot of details about the look of a Filipino dog that need to be ironed out. But I am sure that one day we will have a Filipino dog.”
While we wait for that day, PAWS has launched so many campaigns to promote the Aspin as a breed worthy of owning.
“Beauty beyond breed,” said PAWS director Anna Cabrera. “The Aspin should not just be a street dog, it should be a dog that we take into our homes to be part of our family.”
Matter of fact, it was PAWS that coined the term Aspin for native dogs. PAWS director Rich Ilustre says, “We want people to see the beauty of the native and mixed breed dogs. We feel that the popular term Askal (asong kalye) should be replaced because dogs belong in a home with a loving family and not on the streets where they are susceptible to disease, accidents and cruelty.”
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Last week, PAWS and Eastwood launched the first PAWS billboard which features Karylle with an Aspin. “Adopt from the PAWS shelter and find a best friend for life” is the sales pitch of the billboard.
We all know that PAWS rescues dogs that are abandoned or treated cruelly — most of these dogs are Aspins.
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So, what does Kimmy Dora have to do with Aspins?
Mikky is the name of the Aspin that Dora (Eugene Domingo), the “slow” twin, gifts her twin Kimmy with.
Dora is rushing to make it to a board meeting where her “wicked” twin sister is presiding. On the way to the meeting her driver bumps an Aspin on the road. Being very compassionate, Dora takes Mikky to the hospital to have her treated.
Mikky, wrapped in a cast, is taken home.
“Ate Kimmy, meet Mikky,” says Dora. “Mikky, meet Ate Kimmy.”
Kimmy is furious because Dora not only missed the board meeting; worse, she brought home an Aspin.
Dora tries to appease Kimmy by telling her that she got Mikky for Kimmy.
Kimmy retorts that she doesn’t want a dog and if she did it would not be an Aspin.
“Don’t say that, Kimmy. You will hurt Mikky’s feelings,” replies Dora.
To get even with Dora, Kimmy gets rid of Mikky by returning her to the slum area.
It breaks Dora’s heart that Mikky is missing.
But I can’t tell you what happens at the end of the movie — because Mikky will return and play a big role.
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I have to admit that I did find the movie funny. But I was truly touched by the role that the Aspin Mikky gets in the movie.
The awareness of the importance of pets in our lives has grown immensely. Kimmy Dora is one clear sign that the campaign of the PAWS for the recognition of the Aspin has become part of mainstream Pinoy life.
We just wish that Kimmy called Mikky an Aspin, the politically correct term for the no-longer-in-vogue askal.
“Magbibigay ka na nga ng aso, Askal pa,” said Kimmy to Dora when she saw Mikky.
But still and all, we give an “all paws up” to PAWS from all the pet lovers in the country — for truly creating an awareness that Aspins, just like pure-breed dogs, make good pets. And, to the folks behind Kimmy Dora — we at Petlife thank you for the kindness you have shown Mikky.
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On the subject of movies and as part of World Animal Day celebration, PAWS, in cooperation with TriNoma Mall, sponsors the Philippine screening of Earthlings at the TriNoma Cinemas on Sept. 27 at 10:30 a.m.
Earthlings is the award-winning documentary about the suffering of animals for food, fashion, entertainment and medical research. It is narrated by Academy Awards nominee Joaquin Phoenix and features music by platinum-selling recording artist Moby.
Initially ignored by distributors, Earthlings is considered the definitive animal rights film by organizations around the world.
Seats are limited. E-mail your ticket reservations and contact information to pawsevents@yahoo.com or call 924-2902 and look for Paolo.
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For many of us who live with a companion animal, it is easy enough to see why we should celebrate the relationship we share with these four-legged creatures. They bring us joy and pure boundless love in a way that cannot be compared to our own species.
This year, Anna Cabrera, program director of PAWS has been appointed World Animal Day (WAD) ambassador for our country. “We intend for the Philippine WAD events to be not only a huge celebration among animal lovers but a statement about how we can all contribute to improving the welfare of animals in our own way.”
In line with this, the works of non-profit organizations championing animal rights in the Philippines will be highlighted in a gallery to be displayed at Eastwood Mall starting this Saturday all the way up to World Animal Day on October 4.
Participating groups are Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA), Earth Island Institute Philippines (EII-Phils), Feathered Friends Foundation (FFF), Network for Animals (NFA), Palawan Animal Welfare Association (PAWA), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines). The work of the Bureau of Animal Industry-Animal Welfare Division (BAI-AWD), the government agency tasked with the implementation of the animal welfare law in the country, will also be featured.
The exhibit will be formally opened during the media launch party which kicks off the World Animal Day Philippine celebration. This unique event will to be held at the Eastwood Mall Atrium on Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. The event will be hosted by celebrity animal advocate Pia Guanio. The event will also feature the unveiling of the World Animal Day Memorial Wall — a collage made out of hundreds of photos sent in by pet owners.
To be part of the WAD Memorial Wall, send in your favorite pet photo to wadphilippines@yahoo.com. Deadline for submission is on Sept. 21.
Eastwood Mall customers are also invited to view a special animal-themed photo exhibit put together by animal-loving professional and amateur photographers, and to bring their pets for a free photo session at the red carpet area from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The WAD launch party is made possible through the generous support of Eastwood Mall, Old Vine, Frontline Plus and the STAR “Pet Life” section.
