The “Pusang Gala” and Philippine Culture:

Sa bawat kanto, sa bawat sulok ng eskinita, makakakita ka ng isang pusang gala—scrawny, mapanlikot, pero punong-puno ng buhay. These stray cats, often disregarded as mere street dwellers, actually embody a deep and significant part of Philippine culture. The “pusang gala” is not just a wandering feline; it is a metaphor for resilience, adaptability, and the unbreakable Filipino spirit.

Maraming Pilipino ang nakakarelate sa buhay ng isang pusang gala. These cats thrive in uncertainty, much like many Filipinos who hustle daily just to get by. Wala silang permanenteng tirahan, pero nakakahanap sila ng paraan para mabuhay. In a way, they represent the “diskarte” culture—finding creative solutions in the face of hardship.

Sa paniniwala ng ilan, ang mga pusa ay may dala-dalang suwerte, lalo na kung sila’y pumasok sa iyong tahanan ng kusa. Pero para sa iba, ang pusang gala ay isang paalala ng kahirapan, ng mga iniwang alaga, o ng mga hindi napapansin sa lipunan.

Kung mapapansin mo, ang mga pusang gala ay parang mga tahimik na miron sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay. Nakaupo sila sa harap ng tindahan, nagmamasid sa mga dumaraang tao, o minsan ay sumisiksik sa ilalim ng mga mesa sa karinderya. They are witnesses to our daily struggles, celebrations, and everything in between.

Parang sila ang bantay ng ating mga kalye—keeping secrets, listening to untold stories, at minsan pa nga, nagiging kaibigan ng mga tao sa lansangan. Minsan, isang matandang nagtitinda ng taho ang nagbibigay sa kanila ng tira-tirang sago, o isang tricycle driver ang nagpapakain sa kanila tuwing umaga. These small acts of kindness show that despite their label as strays, they are not entirely alone.

Maraming pamahiin tungkol sa pusa sa Pilipinas. Isa na rito ang paniniwalang malas daw kapag ang isang itim na pusa ay tumawid sa iyong daraanan. Pero sa kabilang banda, may mga naniniwala namang ang pagpasok ng pusa sa bahay ay nangangahulugang may paparating na suwerte.

Mayroon ding kwento tungkol sa “mga pusang may kakaibang abilidad”—those who can see spirits, or those who seem to sense bad energy. Some elders say that if a cat stares at a dark corner and suddenly hisses, there might be an unseen presence lurking nearby.

This superstition is fairly widespread globally, and it exists in the Philippines as well. A black cat crossing your path is sometimes seen as an omen of bad luck. This isn’t specifically about pusang gala, but since many stray cats are black, the association is often made.

Some believe that cats, especially black ones, are sensitive to the presence of spirits or other unseen entities. Their unusual behavior, like staring at seemingly nothing, is sometimes attributed to this belief. Again, this isn’t exclusive to pusang gala, but it applies to them as well.

Some older beliefs suggest that cats should be kept away from pregnant women, as they could bring harm or misfortune. This is a general superstition about cats, not just pusang gala.

In some cultures (though not necessarily exclusively Filipino), cats are associated with death or the afterlife. This could stem from their nocturnal habits and their tendency to be seen around places where people have passed away. This is more of a general belief and less focused on pusang gala in Filipino lore.

Habang marami ang hindi pinapansin ang mga pusang gala, may mga grupong nagsusulong ng pangangalaga sa kanila. Stray rescue groups and local animal welfare organizations are working tirelessly to spay and neuter them, provide medical assistance, and help them find loving homes.

Ngunit minsan, ang tunay na pagmamahal ay hindi lang sa pag-ampon kundi sa simpleng pagbibigay ng pagkain, tubig, o kahit isang tahimik na sulok kung saan sila makakapagpahinga. Many Filipinos have taken in strays, adopting them not just as pets but as family members.

Here are 10 animal welfare organizations in the Philippines that assist with stray cats:

1. Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
   • Description: Established in 1954, PAWS is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of all animals. They operate the PAWS Animal Rehabilitation Center (PARC), which focuses on the rehabilitation and adoption of rescued animals.
   • Website: https://paws.org.ph/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pawsphilippines/
2. CARA Welfare Philippines (Compassion and Responsibility for Animals)
   • Description: Founded in 2000, CARA is a non-profit organization that promotes compassion for animals through spaying/neutering programs, adoption, and education. They focus on reducing the number of homeless animals and encouraging responsible pet ownership.
   • Website: https://www.caraphil.org/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CARAPhil/
3. Pawssion Project Foundation Inc.
   • Description: A non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of abused and neglected animals. They have shelters in Bacolod and Bulacan and actively promote responsible pet ownership.
   • Website: https://pawssionproject.org.ph/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pawssionproject
4. Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF)
   • Description: AKF focuses on rescuing animals from the dog meat trade and promotes animal welfare through campaigns, education, and rescue operations. They also provide shelter and rehabilitation for rescued animals.
   • Website: https://akf.org.ph/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalKingdomFoundation
5. Hound Haven Philippines
   • Description: A non-profit organization dedicated to retired working dogs. They provide rehabilitation and rehoming services for retired K9s and promote animal welfare awareness.
   • Website: https://www.houndhavenph.org/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/houndhavenph
6. Philippine Pet Birth Control Center Foundation (PPBCC)
   • Description: PPBCC offers low-cost spaying and neutering services to control the pet population and prevent the suffering of unwanted animals. They also conduct outreach programs to educate communities on responsible pet ownership.
   • Website: https://ppbccfoundation.org/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ppbccfoundation
7. Bantay Animal Welfare (BAW)
   • Description: BAW is committed to rescuing and rehabilitating abused and neglected animals. They also conduct feeding programs and provide medical assistance to strays.
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BantayAnimalWelfare
8. Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL)
   • Description: A non-profit organization that rescues abandoned and abused animals. They focus on rehabilitation and finding loving homes for rescued pets.
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaveAnimalsOfLoveAndLight
9. Philippine Animal Rescue Team (PART)
   • Description: PART is a no-kill, non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing animals from cruelty and neglect. They provide shelter, medical care, and adoption services for rescued animals.
   • Website: https://www.philanimalrescue.org/
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilAnimalRescueTeam
10. Cats of Manila
    • Description: An organization focused on the welfare of stray cats in Metro Manila. They conduct trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs and promote cat adoption.
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatsOfManila

These organizations are dedicated to the welfare of stray cats and other animals in the Philippines. You can reach out to them through their websites or social media pages for assistance, volunteering opportunities, or to support their initiatives.

The “pusang gala” is more than just an animal wandering the streets—it is a mirror of our society. Katulad ng maraming Pilipino, sila ay matibay, maparaan, at palaging naghahanap ng lugar kung saan sila makakaramdam ng pag-aalaga. They may not have a permanent home, but wherever they find food, kindness, and warmth, that becomes their sanctuary—even if only for a while.

So the next time you see a “pusang gala,” don’t just walk past it. Maybe, just maybe, it has a story to tell—one that might just be a reflection of our own.