Jaehwa Bernardo

Article (news)

Meet Arkira, the Internet’s beloved puspin

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770291979407image1.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Photos from Arkira on Facebook</div>A cat’s life may be just a chapter of our lives, but for them, we are the entirety of it.For furparent Anton Llaneta, that chapter began on one rainy night of June 2020 when he decided to let two inseparable stray kittens take refuge in an unoccupied apartment unit near their own.He fed the kittens there for a week, until the landlord discovered this and had them fetched by the children in the area. Sadly, Anton learned that one of the kittens was mauled by a dog. With his sister no longer around, the surviving male kitten returned to Anton’s gate, meowing loudly as if seeking help. Already a “meowdy” of two, Anton decided to let him in.<blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@lablab.arkira/video/7575367499898735892" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7575367499898735892" id="v72205339425399280" style="max-width:605px;min-width:325px"><iframe name="__tt_embed__v72205339425399280" sandbox="allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-same-origin" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7575367499898735892?lang=en-US&amp;referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Aod2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2026-02-05T11%3A40%3A40.601503%3A9497b0e4-2789-4a54-b876-b249be048304%26action%3Dedit" style="width:100%;height:757px;display:block;visibility:unset;max-height:757px"></iframe></blockquote><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>Since then, the kitten gained a newfound family in Arki, Kira, Kari, Raki, Rika, Kria, and Akir – the cats Anton rescued from 2018 to 2023.He was named Arkira, the puspin known for sitting like a human. With a playful glee and a penchant for munching on kangkong and alugbati, he has captivated millions of netizens across TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram worldwide – from being the cat sitting meme in 2021 to starring in humorous and wholesome homemade skits. But what made people deeply connect with Arkira is how he has shown how life goes on with hope, unconditional love and care, and a little bit of whimsy. Arkira has been sitting in such a manner since he was four months old after two accidents that caused his permanent disability. Three doctors declared that he cannot walk anymore after his lower body was paralyzed.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770292014689image2.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Arkira and Kira. Photos from Arkira on Facebook</div>“Nangyari po ‘yan noong 2020 na habang nagluluto ako, hindi ko namalayan na kumakain siya sa may sahig malapit sa lutuan ko. At ayun, umusok ang niluluto ko at ‘di ko po nakita agad si Arkira at nasipa ko po siya pero naging okay naman po siya after n’on,” Anton shared.“Tapos September 5, doon nag-start talaga nang malala kasi ‘yong Kuya Kira niya, kinagat siya sa likod nang biglaan at d’on po nag-start talaga at nagkaroon ng scoliosis si Arkira at hindi na nga po makalakad,” he added.Anton has patiently trained Arkira into using a wheelchair, sometimes documenting his baby steps outside the home and him eventually dashing off with wheels.With fractured bones at the hips, Arkira also suffers from feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC), or bladder inflammation of unknown cause, which is common in male cats. It can be triggered by stress, with symptoms including blood clots in urine and struggles in urinating. In a video, Anton raised awareness and showed how Arkira struggled from a seven-hour FIC episode, making them both sleepless. To ease this condition, Anton avails medication and sets up several hiding spots such as cat houses for a stress-free environment. These episodes can also be triggered by diarrhea, hence meticulous cleaning of his lower body and constant changing of diapers. Contrary to some netizens’ misconception, it was cleared up that Arkira is not diagnosed with any kidney problems.<blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@lablab.arkira/video/7534976099885894919" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7534976099885894919" id="v53492112384481440" style="max-width:605px;min-width:325px"><iframe name="__tt_embed__v53492112384481440" sandbox="allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-same-origin" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7534976099885894919?lang=en-US&amp;referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fmonitoring%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Aod2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2026-02-05T11%3A40%3A40.601503%3A9497b0e4-2789-4a54-b876-b249be048304%26action%3Dedit" style="width:100%;height:739px;display:block;visibility:unset;max-height:739px"></iframe></blockquote><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>Arkira has had struggles in eating and drinking water by himself when he was young, leading Anton to resort to force feeding and water intake via syringe. This is why he has a yellowish discoloration in his fur. Now, he is fed twice early in the morning, or whenever he gently taps Anton’s face or shoulders because he feels like eating, to avoid skipped meals that may lead to diarrhea. “Sa totoo lang, si Arkira ang mahirap alagaan sa umpisa pero madali na lang sa ‘kin kasi five years na po eh, kaya kabisado ko na, at ‘yong mga kapatid po niya hindi ko naman po napapabayaan. Kumbaga po pare-parehas ang pagmamahal at pag-aaruga ko sa kanila,” Anton said.Amid these struggles, Arkira remains a cat who is feisty during cat fights and lovebites, persistent in moving forward, and more than capable of love – which is evident in the way he attentively looks at Anton when speaking and affectionately clings to his siblings.“Arkira is not the typical kind of cat. He is actually a differently abled cat,” photographer and content creator Kelvinmarkulit remarked as he featured Arkira as a “meowdel” in 2022.It is because of the cats that Anton’s chapter is carrying on. During the dark times, Arkira and his siblings accompanied Anton in navigating life, especially when they started vlogging which would later lift them from their hard conditions. For him, going all the miles to give them adequate nutrition, toys, and veterinary care is his way of giving back. If you will sum up Arkira and Anton’s journey, it would be defined as a tale of constant confidants.“Sana maging maunawain lalo na sa mga disabled dahil tayo ang magiging kamay, paa, mata, at katawan nila. Mahirap sa umpisa mag-alaga ng disabled na animals pero ‘pag nagamay mo na po, sobrang dali na lang talaga,” Anton emphasized.With the company of his feline family, Anton’s unconditional devotion and understanding, and the Internet’s affection, Arkira’s story is lovingly written – underlining that “imperfection is the new perfection.”

A cat’s life may be just a chapter of our lives, but for them, we are the entirety of it.

A cat’s life may be just a chapter of our lives, but for them, we are the entirety of it.

‘Differently abled, not disabled’: Meet Arkira, the Internet’s beloved puspin

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Lifestyle

‘Differently abled, not disabled’: Meet Arkira, the Internet’s beloved puspin

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Mary Rose Maligmat

Published February 15, 2026 09:05 AM PHT

Read More:

pets

animals

puspin

social media

Arkira

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.