07/10/2026
𝐏𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬: 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐬' 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫
On World Animal Day, 42 pets and 56 fur parents walked through Intramuros with GUIDES/PHL and the Intramuros Administration at the first Furry Fort, then told the administration what a pet-friendly Walled City should look like. Here's how it went.
Furry Fort: The Intramuros Pet Takeover was a free guided heritage tour on October 4, organized by the Guides, Instructors, and Destination Experts of the Philippines (GUIDES / PHL) in partnership with the Intramuros Administration. The event has drawn coverage from spot.ph and the Intramuros Administration's page.
The costumes made good photos. The real point was a question: can Intramuros welcome responsible pet owners without losing what makes it a heritage site?
𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗢𝗦
The idea came from our Vice President, Hilda Labignette, who is both a tour guide and a fur parent. Our Secretary, Patrick Ceniza, built on her suggestion, and it became a proposal to the Intramuros Administration.
“The idea sparked from my own experience as a fur parent and a guide,” Hilda said.
“Pet travel is booming right now, and a structured walking tour lets us build a community. I chose Intramuros because its historic walkways are perfect for a walking group, and it's a great space to promote pet-friendly tourism.”
Yael Fernandez, our President, said the site itself was the draw. “We chose Intramuros because it has open spaces that can be enjoyed not just by people but by their pets. Clear policies for pet visitors would help: which areas are open to pets, and which are off limits because they hold precious artifacts.”
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞
Registration opened at 8:00 a.m. The tour started at 8:30, a pack walk from Puerta Real Gardens down Gen. Luna Street, through Plaza San Luis, San Agustin Church, Memorare Manila, and Plaza Roma, ending at Fort Santiago about two hours later.
We designed the route around the animals. Intramuros in the morning sun is easy on people and harder on pets, so the pace was slow and the stops were frequent. Every pet was leashed or carried. Owners cleaned up on the spot. Costumes were optional, though plenty of pets wore theirs anyway, and Plaza San Luis became an impromptu photo shoot.
“We had to be extra careful with the pace of the tour,” said Patrick. “Walking around Intramuros with the sun out is great for people, but it can be hard on furry friends. We made sure the pace was comfortable for the pets and that we had enough stops along the way.”
Not every stop was easy. By Plaza Roma, the dogs were tired and overstimulated, and the plaza was crowded.
Some dogs took the pause on their own terms. Copper, a red retriever, lay down mid-route to take in the view. “He took his time and let a lot of bystanders admire him while he rested,” Patrick said.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦
For some participants, this was their first time in Intramuros. “They had always wanted to come but weren't sure if the sites were pet friendly,” Patrick said.
They aren't the only ones who have felt unwelcome. Hilda said one fur parent told her during the tour that they had once been turned away from a heritage site just for bringing their dog. This time, they were welcome, and they said they were happy and grateful for it.
“More than the business side, I believe it's time we live in a more humane space," Hilda said. "The world needs more care right now. Bridging that gap and creating a kinder, more inclusive environment for everyone is what this is truly about.”
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞
At Fort Santiago, veterinarian Dr. Glenn Albert G. Almera spoke on bringing pets into public spaces and heritage sites responsibly. Intramuros Administration Administrator Atty. Joan Padilla then presented the agency's proposed Animal Welfare Program and its proposed guidelines on the keeping and handling of pets and animals.
In her remarks, Atty. Padilla called Furry Fort “an opportunity to make heritage tourism more inclusive, to strengthen our sense of community, and to create meaningful experiences.”
Owners then gave feedback directly to the administration. Two requests came up: an ID system for pets in Intramuros, so the administration can keep a database of vaccination cards and other records, and proper labels on trash bins for pet waste. Several participants also said the event should be held in the late afternoon or evening, when the heat is easier on the animals.
“The event gave the Intramuros Administration a chance to consult with pet owners on how Intramuros can be more pet friendly,” Yael said.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪
Then the pets took the stage. The Furry Fashion Show was judged in three categories, each worth PHP 1,500:
• Best Furrypiniana Costume, Cats: Timmy the Nonchalant
• Best Furrypiniana Costume, Small Dog: Donut
• Best Furrypiniana Costume, Big Dog: Liesl
Donut made the most of the stage, with three outfit reveals and a bubble machine.
“The pet fashion show and seeing the pets in their Furrypiniana costumes brought the house down,” Yael said.
The Big Dog award went to Liesl, a blind rescue dog, who joined with her fur dad, Loreto Concepcion. She wore a Filipiniana costume highlighted with a Singkaban, the decorated bamboo arch and parasol used as welcome signage at town fiestas.
Liesl was rescued by PAWS after severe cruelty and survived two major surgeries. Concepcion calls her “an inspiration and ambassador of hope and compassion” for animals who have suffered abuse.
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧'𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧
The Intramuros Administration has shared where this goes. Its proposed guidelines cover responsible pet parenting, animal welfare, public health and safety, sanitation, visitor convenience, and the protection of Intramuros' cultural properties. IA says the aim is clear and responsible rules for pets and animals in the Walled City that also make it a more welcoming place for fur parents and their companions.
𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨
To the Intramuros Administration; Doc Gab - Veterinarian; Cultura Must-Have, for the event shirts; Lloyd's Creative Studio, for the printed collaterals; the Contemporary Global Issues class of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Tourism; Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS); Eton Bonifacio Concepcion; and every participant who brought a furry one.
