Leo pogi, a four-year-old Himalayan cat from Manila, has been catching hearts online by being the netizens’ “favorite apo.” Photos courtesy of Leo Pogi/Facebook. Graphics: Kazel Valdez/INQUIRER.net trainee
Domestic cats are commonly known as the “pest patrol” that chase rodents and roaches away. However, their supposed roles have changed, as they are no longer seen as just animals. They could now be someone’s companion, family member, or even an internet sensation.
Leo pogi, a four-year-old Himalayan cat from Manila, has been catching the hearts of netizens as a quirky, tongue-tied cat. He became the online “favorite apo” (grandchild), accumulating love from more than 23,000 Facebook followers since March 2023.
Why do so many people love his content? Here are some reasons why Leo is not a simple resident pogi (handsome) on the internet:
Bringing a daily dose of good vibes
Leo’s fur mom, Shey Ybanez, typically shares her pets’ activities on social media. She writes funny captions or creates a gimmick to bring good vibes online. Little did she know that her fur babies would have a significant impact as they became the netizens’ “happy pill.”
In an interview with INQUIRER.net, Ybanez said Leo got more attention when media organizations started featuring her viral posts. She eventually created a dedicated page for Leo last year after many had encouraged her to do so for their proclaimed apo.
Leo gets the netizens’ pulse by being relatable. His tongue-tied speech and adorable fashion sense can turn a situation into something cuter and amusing. A case in point is when he acted like a student running late for school.
Aside from playing roles, Leo exhibits human-like behavior. Ybanez said he loves binge-watching animated shows like Catching Mice, Tom and Jerry, and Minions. She mused that Leo must have thought he was a toddler more than a cat.
@leothepayborit_apo Netflix and Chill muna ato guys #pambansangApo #payboritongApo #viralvideo #leopogi ♬ original sound – JL – JL 🎸
Leo’s online presence has become a way to bring happiness. Ybanez revealed she initially had reservations about managing the pages. She had been dealing with many personal problems then, but her willingness to help people uplift their spirits conquered her worries.
“With so many problems in the world, we should still remind them that no matter how hard each of us is going through, we should always choose to be content and happy. Human life is short; there is no rewind, so let’s choose to laugh,” Ybanez said in Filipino.
Being a loving child
Leo being a source of happiness is not only an onscreen image because the love he gives strives behind the camera. He is a well-loved baby to the Ybanez family.
Ybanez said she has not been blessed to have a child, but she is beyond happy to have Leo and his fur siblings with her. She expressed that her cats colored her life and motivated her to live despite the challenges she encountered.
“Although I was not blessed with a real child, I am still thankful to the Lord because Leo pogi made me feel how to be a mother to him and his siblings. He is also the one who completed me, even though I sometimes doubted my worth,” Ybanez said in Filipino.
Ybanez also said Leo is the family’s favorite. She joked that her mother has favoritism because she seems to love Leo more than her. However, she couldn’t blame them because Leo is lovable and likes to spend time with their family in his little ways.
Seeing Leo receive the love he gives from her family and the netizens makes Ybanez’s heart soar. She looked back to the time when she brought Leo home for the first time. Ybanez was Leo’s third pet owner, and it took her a while to gain his trust due to his fear of abandonment.
“I waited a few months before I got his heart. Like a child, I told him, ‘No matter what, I will never leave you. I will make you feel the love you deserve. Just give me a chance to love you and care for you, my son,'” Ybanez recalled in Filipino.
A fashion ‘meow-del’
Leo dresses up in adorable clothes and costumes. Photos courtesy of Leo Pogi/Facebook
Ybanez loves dressing Leo up in various adorable and hilarious outfits. However, Leo is not an ordinary cat who would only wear the garments for a photoshoot. His charming point is that the cat would stay in character from whatever gimmick his fur mom made.
On Facebook, Ybanez shared their successful teamwork in trying to get free food from her mother. She sent photos of Leo covered with lipstick-stained bandages to her mother, acting like he had an unfortunate accident.
Leo’s cooperation has rewarded them with meals and over 49,000 positive reactions from netizens. The netizens also teasingly called them “mag-inang scammers” (a mother-and-son duo of scammers) for their hilarious performance.
Having a heart to help
Leo’s success has opened many blessings to their life. He received many invitations to become a model, brand ambassador, and more. Despite the fame he gained, Ybanez makes sure to give back the blessings they receive to those animals in need.
This year, during Leo’s birthday, Ybanez conducted a feeding program in which all stray cats were welcome to eat and celebrate his special day together.
They also donate cat food to animal rescuers and stray cats. However, Ybanez noted that they usually refuse to document their initiative because she does not help for publicity but out of passion for helping the animals.
“When you offer help, help them quietly. The important thing for me is to make sure that the dogs and cats will feel that there is someone who loves and cares for them,” Ybanez said in Filipino.
Ybanez also helps animals by rescuing them. She currently has 15 cats, two of which have imported breeds, while the rest are rescued cats.
One notable experience she had was rescuing a frail kitten from a near-death experience during the Covid-19 pandemic. She named the kitten “Molly,” believing it also brought good health charm to them because Ybanez had survived Covid-19 twice.
Ybanez further revealed that they used to be extremely poor and that most people she trusted had forsaken them during their lowest point. But her cats remained by her side, and she is grateful that she learned to keep fighting because of them.
“My pet cats gave me a chance to live. They have a big impact on my life because they give me strength. They are the source of my happiness, my everything, my life, and my kids,” Ybanez said in Filipino.
Ybanez then urged people to help animals. She said it does not have to be monetary aid, especially if they struggle financially. People can help animals simply by letting their species co-exist with us and treating them equally as living creatures.
“I want to tell people they should be kind to animals like cats. Like us, cats want to live normally and be part of a family. So please, be kind to them. They are also suffering and hungry,” Ybanez said in Filipino.
“Let’s help in ways we can. Even if it’s as simple as being there for them, it’s a big deal to animals because they know someone is there for them,” she added.