Meet Sawacat, a security guard’s viral guardian cat

Fur parent Benjamin Aguila documents life as a security guard with his adopted cat, Sawacat. Photos courtesy of Benjamin Aguila. Graphics: Abigail Sales/INQUIRER.net trainee

In every establishment, security personnel monitor its surroundings and ensure everyone’s safety all day and night. However, a question often overlooked is who accompanies and stays with them even in the loneliest hours. Security guard Benjamin Aguila’s answer is simple: his pet cat, Sawacat.

The Marikina-based security guard told the Inquirer that Sawacat first approached him during one of his 6 a.m.-6 p.m. shifts in November, appearing elusive and brave. Still, when the cat routinely took shelter below Aguila’s table, the guard found it hard to resist the urge to adopt him.

“It doesn’t matter if I take the day or night shift; he’s always been beside me or by my table. I’ve been a cat lover for a long time, and I always feel sorry for those with nowhere to go,” he said in Filipino.

With Sawacat’s frequent visits came Aguila’s frequent social media posts about the cat. Since he first encountered the stray last November, he has taken to groups and communities for cat lovers online to share his fur baby’s silly antics for the day.

In one of his earlier posts about his newfound friend, Aguila explained in the comments section that he named the cat after a sawa (reticulated python) since he thought the color and pattern of its fur closely resembled one.

Benjamin Aguila snaps photos with his “guard” cat, Sawacat. Photos courtesy of Benjamin Aguila

For Aguila, none of Sawacat’s mannerisms are ever mundane, and netizens think so too, as they spur him on to give updates on his furry companion.

“He has so many funny quirks, and they relieve my stress and tiredness when I’m at work. I always talk to him, and I feel like he can understand me too,” he said in Filipino.

Aguila’s love for cats doesn’t stop with Sawacat – it extends to his two newly adopted cats, Negro and Puti, and to the many strays that find a home by his table, like his first “son” once did.

Benjamin Aguila poses with adopted cats Negro and Puti. Photos courtesy of Benjamin Aguila

“Wherever I’m assigned for the day, I feed as many cats as possible. I especially feel sorry for those with nowhere to go,” he expressed in Filipino.

Trusting that all his fur babies understand him when he speaks, the security guard leaves a message and a promise that he hopes to abide by every day: “I love all of you, and every one of you inspires me. I’ll do everything I can to guarantee that you stay safe and never go hungry,” he said in Filipino. – Antoinette Salamanca, INQUIRER.net trainee