Man’s best friend is known to play different roles under varying, exciting, and sometimes complex situations. Through the years, our canine friend – whether it is aspin (asong Pinoy) or purebred has evolved from a mere guardian, pet dog or dog companion, hugged, cuddled, and given the tender loving care as if being part of the family and an indispensable member of the household. The pet has assumed diverse roles – in research work, in therapy visiting homes for the aged and hospitals, as part of a rescue and relief work, in police or security operations, in children’s parties performing tricks, or as part of TV and film cast and commercials, our dog has played a crucial role in our life. .- which has either captivated or conquered our hearts.
But there’s another side to a dog’s life – and it is his other potential as a “beauty contestant.” Through dog shows staged by different dog clubs, the other side of our favorite pet is discovered by the meticulous examination and observation of international dog judges in a competition considered as “a beauty pageant for dogs.” The pet entry undergoes the rigid and meticulous scrutiny by these judges once he enters the ring with his handler. The judges carefully examine the entry, determine how close he is to the characteristics of their breed standard, see the major and minor faults, his health, the curve of his tail and the way he carries himself.
This is just a slice of the two-day “All-Breed Dog Show” of the Asian Kennel Club Union of the Philippines, Inc. (AKCUPI) held January 31-February 1 2009 at the People’s Village of Tiendesitas en Frontera Verde at the corner of Ortigas Ave. and E. Rodriguez, Jr. Ave. (C-5), Pasig City, this time exuding a fiesta atmosphere with buntings all over the place. The maiden dog shows of AKCUPI were unprecedented in the annals of dog shows in the country in so many ways. Four shows were held in one event. Event co-organizer Prime Asia Trade Planner and Convention Organizer (PATEPCO) with Henry G. Babiera at the helm made lavish preparations to make the shows set apart from other dog shows – the elegantly bedecked show venue and the marathon, blow-blow-tv documentation of the events. There was a horse-drawn cart or karetela provided to tour the four dog show judges, Gregory Anderson, John C. Frederick Peddie, Tadashi Mimura, Kazumaru Mikuni around Tiendesitas’ external complex. An ati-atihan tribe similar to the mardi gras was posted at the entrance of the People’s Village as part of the welcome party for the judges.
Over 200 entries took part in the dog shows with the first two shows on January 31 devoted to terrier, herding, sporting and hound, and the third and fourth shows on February 1 allotted for non-sporting, working and toy.
Since it is a meticulous and tedious process, judging required the patience and perseverance of the jurors.. So if these international all-breed judges were taking long hours to have the entries and their handlers walked, run around the rings for many times, or examined the entries on the table, it was an earnest effort on their part to select carefully the entries who stand out and deserving of an award.
Each judge had his own choice of the winner for group, best in show, best Philippine-born in show and best baby puppy in show. But the top winners were those which copped the best in show, best Philippine-born in show, and best baby puppy in show. Judge Anderson’s best in show and best Philippine-born in show choice is a Pomeranian, Phil Gr Ch Canton Cover Girl, owned by John Irvin Uy, best puppy in show is Australian Terrier, Lombija’s Winsleywood, owned by Henry G. Babiera, Judge Peddie’s pick for best in show and best Philippine-born in show is Cocker Spaniel, Clerwood Eye of the Tiger, owned by Motoei Furukawa, and his best puppy in show is Miniature Pinscher, Hen’s Vin Hotrud. Judge Mimura’s best in show is Shih Tzu, Phil Gr Ch Ashbury Kiss My Twist, while his best Philippine-born in show is Siberian Husky, Broadmoor Cool Champagne and his best baby puppy in show is Australian Terrier, Lombija’s Winsleywood. Judge Mikuni’s best in show is Shih Tzu, Phi Gr Ch Ashbury Kiss My Twist, owned by Irene Tan Luy and Penny Cham, best Philippine-born in show is Dachshund Standard Uncle Sam’s Red Dragon and best baby puppy in show is Australian Terrier, Lombija’s Wilbury Nightwinds, owned by Henry G. Babiera. Phi Gr Ch Ashbury Kiss My Twist which is a Pomeranian and both the best in show choice of Judges Mimura and Mikuni, is a Hall of Famer at PCCI.
During their stay in the country, the judges were given a taste of Philippine hospitality, culture and cuisine. They had a glimpse at the scenic spots, including Tagaytay and Corrigidor, as well as samples of Filipino food when they went to a fine dining native restaurant.
The maiden shows were an overwhelming success not only in the big of entries and the full support of the sponsors which put up booths but also the attendance of personalities in the dog world, including those from the veterinary field., among whom were former Senator Nikki Coseteng, Jody Coseteng, Atty. Jose Agaton Sibal, president of Central Law Books, Lan Cheng-Fong, president of the Kennel Club Union of Asia, AKCUPI’s mother club, Col. Ricardo Mendoza, one of the founders of the Philippine Canine Club, Inc. (PCCI), Roberto Tesoro, Rocio de Vega, Edgardo Cruz, Joseph Ongchuan and Penny Cham, former PCCI presidents, Jimmy Gosiako, Fe Lanny Alegado, Primo Co Sr, and Aldo Tiu, former PCCI directors, Rene Aguirre, Adelfa Aguirre, Patricia Carroscoso, Art Bautista, Terry Tan, and Jay Tan.
