Petster : Eastwood City’s Way of Welcoming Pets

Petster : Easwood City’s Way of Welcoming Pets
(By: Johnny Filart)

Not a few Metro Manila malls and shopping centers advertise themselves as pet-friendly or allow pets in their premises as a way of welcoming pet lovers and responsible pet owners. It is not a hidden reality that throughout the last decade of economic decline, the pet industry in the Philippines has shown it resiliency and ability to go contrary to expectation. It continued its growth now claiming five large pet markets throughout the metropolis as against two some ten years ago.

Back in 1998, I opened an E-Learning School in Eastwood City called Cyberstate University. The shopping center was not even constructed at that time and while I saw the full potential of the area as a cyber hub, I never dreamed of it being a haven for pets. But you never know how things turn out. Today, ten years after, I was surprised to get an invitation to speak in a joint collaborative endeavor between Eastwood City mall and Philippine Canine Club, Inc (PCCI) entitled, “Petster”. I did not hesitate to accept the invitation even though I know it was going to be on a Sunday which is a time reserved for the family. I knew early then that our audience would also be composed of families taking advantage of the lazy Sunday afternoon to enjoy Eastwood City.


To say the least, nostalgia set in and I wanted to be there and be part of the action. Petster was the first collaborative project between PCCI and Eastwood City in order to properly inform pet owners on various aspects of pet ownership, maintenance, health care, making the right choices and the long term responsibility in owning pets. As we have done for Animal Scene in several venues and occasions, I was looking forward to this informative interaction between the dog club and dog owners.

It was a great advantage that both Jason Alvarez, Eastwood’s Senior Marketing Manager and his able Marketing Officer, Lei Eugenio are both passionate dog owners. Therefore the partnership between PCCI and Eastwood City Mall is a dream come true. PCCI for its part has been in the business of promoting dog welfare and responsible ownership for the last forty-five years as its primary charter and mandate. A more refreshed outlook and program was necessary starting this year in order to reach out to its more than thirty thousand members. The program was avenue to promote the right ways to approach dog ownership. The venue was perfect in as far as Eastwood City Malls was in the forefront of welcoming pet owners bring their pets along while doing their shopping and leisurely weekend outings.

I could not see a better team to collaborate with Jason and Lei on one side and Cher Pauline Cruz of PCCI on the other side. All three formed the nucleus of this balanced information drive that would capitalize on PCCI’s deep history in promoting responsible dog ownership whereas Jason and Lei represented a familial institution that welcomed with open arms the presence of pets in their mall areas. Their youth and professionalism reverberates to the extent that pets would be welcomed and taken good care of while they romp around Eastwood City. Dog owners are likewise on notice that they can spend leisurely walks with dogs in tow and not be worried about their dogs staying home alone and bored even on weekends.


Synonymous with Eastwood being the first cyber city in the country, Petster is a nomenclature derivative between “pets” and the popular web play, “friendster”. While my kids picked up on the name right away, it took me a few minutes to discern what Petster as a program name really meant to me. Yes, I have forty fogs, 200 birds, reptiles in my hair and arowanas in different shapes and colors. Still and all, my cyber adventure stops when I leave my work in the evenings and on weekends. The computer serves to connect me on off hours through emails but that’s about as “techie” as I can get. I still prefer the warmth and noise of my cockatoos, Chihuahuas and German Shepherds at home. I hope my neighbors will forgive me, but even if they don’t I can always say, I have lived in the neighborhood ten full years ahead of them.

Sunday, August 31st came and I was overcome with fever right after my Sunday morning mass. Was I that much excited? Well, I was excited enough to reach for antibiotics, a full lunch and two hours sleep in the afternoon to make sure I was out there by 4:30pm to do my spiel on “Choosing the Right Dog”. For the last five days I made sure my boy, Jun bathe and groomed Grando my German Shepherd, Ace, my Philippine Champion Chihuahua and Bea, my three month old Pomspitz. The dark clouds didn’t discourage me although I feared the worse of not being able to report for work the next day if my condition would get worse after the program. Se La Vie!

It was a joyous forum spent with two other experienced dog breeders who spoke on basic dog care, maintenance and my topic of making the right choice. Besides Simon Sim, Danny Ramilliano and myself, a strong boost of support came from Mildred Valdes and Roland Gapuz . How can you pass on such a happy occasion where you can interact with entire families who brought along their Goldens, their Shitzus, their mini-snauzers, pomeranians and their Chihuahuas. I am sure there were a host of other dog breeds loke the huskies and the poodles but the spotlight was so strong in my face that I could hardly make out different faces and pet dogs a meter in front of the stage.

While the question and answer portion livened up the audience, I am sure picture takings and the chance to buy pet accessories crowned their Sunday afternoon before the event was over. Of course the program was not complete without the unveiling of the Podium dedicating Eastwood City as the pet-friendliest mall in the entire Metro Manila. Superlatives are in order as this is one place that puts not only its money where it mouth is, it also lives the mission of providing the safest and most enjoyable mall for pets to be.


Who can beat the sumptuous and belly busting dinner provided by Seafood Island. The fellowship among dog lovers, the PCCI personnel, the Eastwood City Commercial management team and a host of pet aficionados was at its best during the dinner. Amidst cloudy skies and a slight drizzle nothing could dampen the exchange and stories going back and forth about each and everyone’s exhilarating dog encounters. Thus, as the week dawned to a close and the excitement died down with the tired masters and their best friends finding their way home, comes to a close one of the best chapters in a partnership aimed at providing our pets with the best information on care and attention in a venue close to pet heaven. Complete with a red carpet treatment for the canines and the felines species.

See you in Eastwood City Malls! Where your pets are kings and queens and you are just a breath away from shopping heaven.

To pursue the Petster Mission the following are the subsequent events integral to advancing information dissemination on responsible pet ownership:

Sept.21, 2008 : 5PM
- Know the Breed standards Part I
- Basic Dog Grooming tips
- Feeding your dog
- Pet Registration Day ( c/o PCCI )

Sept. 28, 2008 : 5 PM
- Know the Breed standards Part II
- Forum on showing dogs
- Awarding of Champion dogs
- Registration for Eastwood City Pet Blessing 2008

October 5, 2008 : 5 PM
EASTWOOD CITY'S PET BLESSING 2008

Venue for all these events will be at the Eastwood Central Plaza

more info below after the link

more photos at Petster : Easwood City’s Way

photos are from www.philcanineclubinc.multiply.com