Pets boost Filipinos' mental health during pandemic: stakeholder

Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Philippine Pet Expo 2023 opens in Pasay City. Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/business/02/17/02172023-pet-expo.jpg"/><figcaption>Philippine Pet Expo 2023 opens in Pasay City. <em>Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The COVID-19 pandemic has increased people&#x27;s curiosity when it comes to pets since having an animal companion also has benefits to mental health, Philippine Pet Expo Director Lendl Lin said on Friday.</p><p>However, Lin said potential fur parents must research before buying a pet since having one is a lifetime commitment.</p><p>&quot;People stayed at home. They got curious about taking care of animals and pets. They saw the beauty in having animals as companions. I think it contributed well to mental health of Filipinos,&quot; said Lin.</p><p>Lin and other stakeholders opened the Philippine Pet Expo at the SMX Convention Center where pets such as dogs, snakes, rabbits, fish and many more are up for sale. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/06/24/20/the-pets-left-behind-by-covid-19">The pets left behind by COVID-19</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/10/12/21/pets-help-keep-peoples-mental-state-healthy-amid-pandemic">Pets help keep people&#x27;s mental state healthy amid pandemic: DOH, advocates</a></li></ul><p>Meanwhile, an International Gamefowl Festival 2023 Hobby Expo opened simultaneously at the SMX where hundreds of exhibitors showcased the best breeds of game fowl from Southeast Asia.</p><p>IGF 2023 organizer Mildred Esquillo said the expo is a good opportunity to erase the negative image of cockfighting &quot;sabong&quot; in the country.</p><p>&quot;Sa nagdaang pandemic naging negative ang image ng ating industriya dahil sa mga... alam mo na bawal ang face-to-face, nagkaroon ng online. Sa pamamagitan nito, sabay-sabay tayong aahon. Kaya mura ang mga binebenta dito ng mga breeder. Mapapanatili natin ang magandang imahe ng sabong industry,&quot; said Esquillo.</p><p>(During the pandemic there was a negative image, face-to-face was not allowed so there was online cockfighting. With this [expo] we can lift the industry. Breeders sell cheaper here)</p><p>She said she was expecting the industry to grow even further this year as the pandemic eases. </p><p>Both expo events will last until Sunday. Aside from pets and game fowls, animal food, accessories, and medicine are also available.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/29/22/e-sabong-operations-remains-suspended-nationwide-palace">Marcos orders continued suspension of e-sabong operations nationwide: Palace</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2353626" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

The pandemic has increased public curiosity in pets since having a companion also has benefits to mental health, a stakeholder said. 

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Pets boost Filipinos' mental health during pandemic: stakeholder

Pets boost Filipinos' mental health during pandemic: stakeholder

Jekki Pascual,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 17, 2023 04:16 PM PHT

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Philippine Pet Expo

International Gamefowl Festival 2023 Hobby Expo

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