Why call Pinoy dogs aspin and not askal? PAWS exec explains

Street dogs in the Philippines used to be commonly called askal or asong kalye, but animal advocates have been pushing for an alternative name: aspin or asong Pinoy.

In Jamie Santos's report on "24 Oras Weekend," Sunday, Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) executive director Anna Cabrera why this change matters.

"There's so much in a name. 'Pag tinawag mo 'yung dog na askal mags-stick din 'yun sa consciousness ng tao na OK lang nasa kalye 'yung aso which is hindi. Walang asong dapat nasa kalye," she said.

PAWS celebrates National Aspin Day on August 18 every year in recognition of Philippine native dogs.

An event marking the occasion was held at a mall in Quezon City, where aspins and their fur parents got to strut on stage in their costumes. Some dogs rescued by PAWS also participated in the event. 

A paw-geant called Ginoo and Binibining Aspin was also staged for the fur babies.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News