Dogs rule the night
It was truly a magical night for both pet parents and their pets at the Bow & Wow benefit dinner for Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA) Welfare Philippines last June 30.
The charity event aimed to raise funds for CARA, with ticket proceeds benefiting the animal welfare organization.
Hosted by Tessa Prieto-Valdes, the guests wined and dined for a cause, with an array of sumptuous dishes from Gaita Fores’ Cibo di M and luscious wines from Wine Story. The highlight of the evening was, of course, the spectacular pet buffet prepared by Bow & Wow for the furry guests, plus a unique pet dessert station by Swell Sweets.
The Rockwell Tent served as the venue for this occasion, with the stylish and pet-friendly environment of the Rockwell Center providing an ideal backdrop for dogs and dog lovers to enjoy their night.
Dinner was accompanied by a performance by master magician Lou Hilario, while pets got the ultimate pampering at a special pet spa corner. A silent auction was also held during the course of the evening, featuring unique finds such as designer Pet Beds by renowned Filipino designers Rajo Laurel and Nix Alanon, JC Buendia, John & Paul Herrera, Joby Belmonte of Extreme Makeover, Rags 2 Riches, and Tessa Prieto-Valdez; a Cesar Milan Brush from AromaPet Spa, doggy couture items, a pet columbarium package from Noah’s Ark, and many more great items.
Selected pet parents and their furry babies strutted up the runway for the Walk of Love, joined by CARA’s two adoptable dogs that also sashayed on stage. Tessa described the best breed as one that is rescued, and encouraged the guests to adopt pets from animal shelters instead of buying from a pet shops or breeders.
Lucky guests were given special awards by Bow & Wow, including the Bow & Wow “Pawsome Twosome Award” (Best Dressed Pet & Pet Parent), “The Bow & Wow Wagging Tails Award” (Most Congenial Pet & Pet Parent), “The Bow & Wow Picture Pawfect Award” (Most Photogenic Pet & Pet Parent), and the Bow & Wow Furry Family Award (Cutest Pet & Family). The winners of the Special Awards were each given P1,500 worth of gift cards and a doggie dispenser from Bow & Wow, plus a Magnum bottle of Ferrari Brut from Healthy Options.
The glitzy and classy event was well-attended, with pet-loving celebrity guests such as Janice de Belen and family, Regine Tolentino and family, Divine Lee and Victor Basa, celebrity dog-trainer Kier Legaspi, actress Jennica Garcia, singer and actress Rita Iringan, actor and TV star Enzo Pineda, model Vanessa Matsunaga, among others. Also in attendance was Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, one of the key dignitaries working on the amendments to the Animal Welfare Act of the Philippines. Guests got to go home with their very own exclusive Bow & Wow “Pawchamp” loot bag filled with goodies that will surely be enjoyed by their furry babies. Priceless moments during the event were captured by Pupparazzi and Pet Photography by Denise.
The highlight of the evening was when Bow & Wow turned over the donation check to CARA Welfare Philippines. The benefit dinner was able to raise over P450,000 in ticket sales. On top of that, Romy Sia and Christian Tan, managing director and president of Bow & Wow, announced that they were going to donate an additional P100,000. Earnings from the silent auction items shall also be added to the donations as well. Having raised over half a million pesos, the donations will go a long way to support CARA’s various animal welfare projects, one of which is the rehabilitation of the 170 rescued Pitbulls in the Laguna dog fight pit. Apart from the Pit bulls, many other needy animals that need CARA’s help will benefit from the generous funding. CARA has well over a hundred rescued pets. Since CARA does not have a shelter, the animals rescued by members reside in their own homes. Through CARA’s active adoption program, they are able to give these homeless pets a chance to find their forever homes.
The event’s media partners were The Philippine STAR, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Lifestyle Network, and Good Dog Magazine.
