PAWS launches the official World Animal Day (WAD)-Philippines song performed by Asia’s songbird Regine Velasquez on Sunday, October 3, during its online celebration of World Animal Day on the PAWS Facebook page.

Entitled “A World of Friends”, lyrics are by Joey Reyes while music is by renowned composer Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. “The song is about how our lives are enriched by the animals whom we share this earth with. It calls on humankind to build back a better world where kindness reigns supreme,” says Reyes.

World Animal Day is an annual celebration that aims to raise the status of animals and improve welfare standards around the globe. PAWS Executive Director Anna Cabrera is the World Animal Day ambassador for the Philippines. “The pandemic has prompted us to switch to a virtual celebration of this important day to keep everyone safe.”

“The COVID-19 situation has also highlighted our interconnectedness – that what happens to one human being affects another in very much the same way that our treatment of animals and the environment affects all lives on this earth,” Cabrera says.

Such is the recurring theme of the World Animal Day Program and Mass which will be participated in by celebrity pet parents Issa Litton, Carla Abellana, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Tom Rodriguez, Pauleen Luna, John Arcilla, Kuya Kim Atienza, Karylle, Jona, Joey Mead, Kim Domingo, Jerald Napoles and more.

In line with tradition during the celebration of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (Oct 4), pets also will be blessed virtually by Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio “Joey” Paras, SDB after the Holy Mass.

The WAD celebration is a fundraising event sponsored by Pet Express for PAWS to benefit animals rescued from cruelty and to fund PAWS’ ongoing spay-neuter program for indigent pet owners. The event is also supported by Purina Supercoat, Friskies, Garbia, Canva and Robig Builders.