I was browsing through my facebook looking for triton wedding bands for my best friend’s upcoming wedding when a desperate appeal from Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) caught my attention. *WARNING: The picture below might upset some readers because of the sad, sad state of the dog in question*

She was named Suzie. She was abandoned and left to die along the South Luzon Expressway by a heartless former owner. When the PAWS rescue team found her, she was very much dehydrated and almost dead. The picture below shows Suzie how she was found by her rescuers and three days after her rescue. The dog’s prognosis is good and she needs all the help she can get to survive. If you have something to spare, please donate any amount to PAWS or visit Suzie and the rest of the rescued animals at PARC Shelter in Marikina. I’m sure they’ll be delighted to see you. =)

I want to live. Will you help me? =(

No. Efren “Bata” Reyes did not bring home another billiard cup, but, a different Efren did. The Filipino “pushcart educator”, Efren “Kuya F!” Peñaflorida Jr. was recently awarded “CNN Hero of the Year” for 2009 for his advocacy to bring education to out-of-school youth in slum areas of Cavite. His heartwarming and tear-jerking story of how a once out-of-school youth himself fought poverty, illiteracy and the influence of the ills of the society struggled to bring education and health-awareness to children in slum areas inspired millions around the globe to vote for him to name him CNN Hero of the Year. Kuya F! was given a standing ovation while the song “Hero” by Mariah Carey played at the background at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood last November 21.

“Thank you. Our planet is filled with heroes: young and old, rich and poor, men, women of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry. Each person has a hidden hero within. You just have to look inside you and search him in your heart and be the hero to the next ones in need. So to each and every person inside this theater, to those watching at home: the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve. Serve well. Serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I aways tell my co-volunteers at Dynamic Teen Company at Club 8586 Inc.: You are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be. Mabuhay!” Kuya F! delivered his “thank you” speech in between pauses. Watch the announcement of winner below (courtesy of CNN.com.)

Congrats to Efren Peñaflorida Jr. and to all the unsung heroes of everyday life. Mabuhay! =)

Thinking of volunteering? You don’t need gps to locate DTC, just click here for the vicinity map.

As I was on my home this afternoon, I saw one of the most heartwarming sights I’ve seen: a guy pushing his kariton with a dog in tow.

I am an animal lover and my friends know me for having a soft spot for animals – stray and sheltered alike. A lab rat (the big white one usually used in scientific experiments) and a kitten are just some of the stray animals I once brought home. In my country, animal laws are not as strict as in other countries like the US. The Philippines is not as animal-friendly like animal advocates want this country to be. There is still a long, long way to go for us if we want life for the animals that co-exist with us to be better. The sight I saw this afternoon was heartwarming for the simple fact of how one who is in need himself is still able to care for an animal who would likely be dependent on him for food, shelter, protection and love. This was not the first time I’ve seen a homeless person adopt a pet for himself. Countless times I’ve witnessed such kindness in different situations. If they can do this when they are in need themselves, I wonder how come people who are better off can’t do the same thing themselves. There are a lot of animals needing our care and protection and more importantly, love. They shouldn’t be left loitering the streets, they deserve a home where they will be treated as part of a loving family.

I’ve long wanted to be a part of PAWS or the Philippine Animal Welfare Society but the distance proved to be a challenge for me before when I used to live down south of the Metro. Now that I’m already in QC, it’s the burden of being a medical student that’s being a hindrance for me. I cannot volunteer myself now but I’m inviting my animal-loving readers living in the Philippines to volunteer at PAWS to help a lot of animals in need. I may not be able to take some action now – physically at least, but I’m hoping that someone can do the kindness for me.

Perhaps you’re the one I’m looking for.