Filipinos’ natural affection, high regard for dogs highlighted

This photo taken on April 7, 2024 shows dogs taking part in a search and rescue program in Taguig, metro Manila. Every Sunday, about 46 mongrels and pure-breeds of all sizes are put through their paces by volunteer trainers at a facility in suburban Manila where they learn to find survivors, scale ladders and bound over wooden structures. Manila is vulnerable to quakes due to its location on the West Valley Fault and its proximity to the Manila Trench off the main island of Luzon. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP) / To go with AFP story Philippines-disaster-animal, REPORTAGE by Pam CASTRO

MANILA, Philippines — In ancient Philippine history, dogs were more than just family pets, but were integrated into the lives of locals back then, a historian from the University of the Philippines said on Wednesday.

According to a historian and author Ian Alfonso, historical sources point that dogs were treated almost like family members.

“According to [Spanish historian and priest Fr. Francisco Alcina], he was surprised for the regard the Visayans accorded to their dogs. Sabi niya, “sa Visayas, hinahalikan ang mga aso. Sa Visayas, katabing matulog ang mga aso,” Alfonso said in a lecture talk.

(According to [Fr. Francisco Alcina], he was surprised for the regard the Visayans accorded to their dogs. He said “in Visayas, dogs are kissed. In Visayas, people sleep beside their dogs.”)

Dogs were also a valuable part in the hunting culture of early Filipinos, Alfonso said, citing the etymology in the Filipino word “pangangaso” which means “to hunt.”

“They were buried like humans, human remains. Napakapoetic ng pakakabanggit into Tagalog, na mukhang napaka-importante nitong hayop na ito para bigyan ng marangal na libing,” Alfonso added.

(They were buried like humans, human remains. The Filipino saying is very poetic, that this animal was so important that it has to be given an honorable burial.)

In 2023, Alfonso published a book titled “Dogs in Philippine History,” where he detailed the role of the animals in the country’s narrative.

Alfonso also observed that the love of Filipinos for dogs is still present in contemporary times.“Tulad ng mga ibang kultura sa mundo, ang aso ang pinakamataas sa lahat ng hayop, kaya ang ating regard sa mga aso ay parang tao.”