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Carlos Orit, 67, tends to his six rescue dogs inside a pedicab that also serves as his home along Taft Avenue in Manila. Daniel Jacob, ABS-CBN News

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Furparent Tatay Carlos gets new mobile home to house his six dogs

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

MANILA — Tatay Carlos Orit is finally retiring his 14-year-old sidecar, thanks to a sponsor who gave him a customized one.On bustling Taft Avenue in Manila, an atypical family of seven cycles through life in a pedicab that has become their home.At the head is Orit, who collects and sells scrap and junk to put food on his plate—and in his dogs’ bowls.Orit has lived on the street since he was 10. He is now 67.A furparent since then, he has lost count of the dogs he sheltered.Currently, he has six rescue dogs, with Menggoy as the eldest at seven years old“Kasi &#x27;pag ako makakita ng aso sa lansangan, ang tingin ko, simbolo &#x27;yan ng buhay ko,&quot; he said of the decision to shelter dogs.(When I see dogs on the street, I feel like they are a symbol of my life)<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174865017703220250524-Furparent-TaftManila-DJ-16.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Carlos Orit, 67, tends to his six rescue dogs inside a pedicab that also serves as his home along Taft Avenue in Manila. Daniel Dean Jacob, ABS-CBN News"/>Carlos Orit, 67, tends to his six rescue dogs inside a pedicab that also serves as his home along Taft Avenue in Manila. Daniel Dean Jacob, ABS-CBN News</div>He said he once fell ill and was near death butgot well when one of his dogs passed, echoing a common belief that pets shield their humans from illness and bad vibes.Since then, he has made an oath to care for dogs.In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Orit shared a glimpse of their routine that usually starts at night.While the city sleeps, he searches for scrap to sell to junk shops. He also goes around to different restaurants to get leftover food for the dogs. Daytime is spent wandering and resting in a sidecar converted into a home.During the pandemic, De La Salle University professor Laureen Velasco, also an animal welfare advocate, stopped by his sidecar and extended a hand. It was a hand that would later change their paths.Velasco has been running donation drive for Orit since 2021.From relief goods and basic appliances to financial help, Velasco has been handing these to Orit regularly to aid the old man in his everyday life. Through the drive, the dogs also get food and go to checkups with veterinarians when needed. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174865026919420250524-Furparent-TaftManila-DJ-13.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Orbit with one of his dogs. Daniel Dean Jacob, ABS-CBN News"/>Orbit with one of his dogs. Daniel Dean Jacob, ABS-CBN NewsRecently, a good Samaritan donated a new pedicab customized according to his needs—a safe place for his stove, a cabinet for their food and belongings, and metal bars for a bed.</div>“We wanted a more secure pedicab for him kasi nga nananakawan siya madalas, you know, supot, kaldero, mga damit, mga pagkain. So we thought he needed a better one,” said Velasco.(We wanted a more secure pedicab for him because his things and food get stolen)Surviving alone in the open is already difficult as it is. What more for people like Orit, with another six mouths to feed?&quot;Para po sa akin, bale wala. Basta kumilos lang po, mabubuhay eh. Wala naman pong masama dito sa lungsod kung masipag ka,&quot; he said.(I don&#x27;t mind it. As long as you strive, you will live. You can survive in the city if you work hard)  He said he is grateful to have met people kind enough to support him.Orit and his dogs have appeared on many ABS-CBN News shows, including, most recently, “Tao Po” with Bernadette Sembrano.

While the city sleeps, Carlos Orit searches for scrap to sell to junk shops. He also goes around to different restaurants to get leftover food for the dogs.

While the city sleeps, Carlos Orit searches for scrap to sell to junk shops. He also goes around to different restaurants to get leftover food for the dogs.

Furparent Tatay Carlos gets new mobile home for him and his 6 dogs

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Furparent Tatay Carlos gets new mobile home for him and his 6 dogs

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Alexandrea Mecky Buenafe

Published May 31, 2025 12:39 PM PHT

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