Soleus and Phils Animal Rescue Team host Run for the Aspins

Throughout our lifetimes, we’ve seen several words in our vernacular gone the way of the dodo. What were once ubiquitous words have turned derogatory in favor of political correctness. That’s why we say farewell to the askal and the puskal (or the asong kalye and the pusang kalye). We say hello to the aspin and the puspin (or the asong Pinoy and the pusang Pinoy).

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The lives we formerly called “Bantay” or “Muning” are undergoing a drive for equality of their own. Their lives as just guard dogs, playthings, or worse, food are slowing down to an eventual halt. Think of this year’s fiasco with the Chinese Yulin Festival. While the general public has not stopped the festival in its entirety, considerably less dogs were slaughtered for ritual.

Back here in the country, families are learning that having a dog or a cat is tantamount to welcoming a new member of the family. However, animal cruelty and abuse is still a sad reality in some parts. Even without physical abuse, the systematic discrimination of dog and cat breeds is still rampant.

While families pay more attention to “man’s best friend,” these companions are often picked because of their breed. Like parents forcing their children through grueling hobbies to show them off to other parents, dogs are being adopted because they have a breed. The aspin is neglected because they’re seen as a lower breed compared to others who cost more.

Through proper education and awareness about proper pet care, the Philippine Animal Rescue Team makes it their mission to rescue, care, rehabilitate, and ultimately provide homes to these neglected animals. Starting from November 2012, PART has provided shelter to over 200 unwanted cats and dogs.

In partnership with Soleus, creators of running-inspired devices, PART is hosting The Soleus Run for the Aspins to help raise funds for sustaining decent living conditions for all the animals under its care.

Dog lovers, dog owners, dogs of a foreign breed, and dogs of a local breed are all welcome to join this fun-filled event on October 18, 2015 at the Camp Aguinaldo Grand Stand.

For dog lovers without a companion dog, there will be 10K and 15K categories with an P800 and a P900 entrance fee, respectively. They will be receiving a race shirt, a race bib, and a finisher medal. Meanwhile, human-and-dog tandems can stroll through the route of the 2K Dog walker (for medium to large dogs) and the 600m Dog Parade (for small to medium dogs). Both have a P700 entrance fee. They will get a dog bandana along with the race shirt, race bib, and finisher medal.

For those willing to run in two categories (human and tandem combinations), special bundles are available. For the 15K plus any dog category, the entrance fee is only P1,250. For the 10K plus any dog category, the entrance fee is only P1,150. Human participants will avail only one race shirt.

Participants may register online (through http://rundezvous.strikingly.com/blog/run-for-the-aspins) or through BPI bank deposit by filling up appropriate registration forms (in this link), paying the fee to Rundezvous’ account (with account name: Rundezvous Inc., CA; and account number: 2431-0082-14), and emailing them to soleusr4da@gmail.com with subject: Run for the Aspin – .

A race village will conglomerate sponsors who will provide display and samples of their merchandise for both pet owners and dogs. Also as part of the event’s special activities, you may have a lasting memorabilia of your dog from the magic hands of Mr. Jun Aquino of the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas and official painter of Manny Pacquiao for a small donation that will also be added to the beneficiaries’ funds.

This race hopes to embroider a deep awareness on how to become and be involved as a responsible pet owner.