Mc Richard Paglicawan
Heart Evangelista has shown her support for Yoda, an aspin (asong Pinoy) recently denied entry to a Tagaytay restaurant due to her breed and size.
The actress, who is known for her love of animals, hinted at wanting to “invite” Yoda for tea with her own aspin, Panda, following the incident.
Taking to Instagram, Evangelista shared a photo of her rescued pet, Panda, with the caption, “Aspin Society Elite Pres. [Panda Ongpauco Escudero] Sending LOVE to Yoda.” The post expressed solidarity with Yoda, highlighting the importance of treating all dogs equally, regardless of breed.
Panda’s Instagram account, managed by Evangelista, also featured a playful post that read, “Anong walang breed???! Mas may breeding pa ako sa inyo ha. Loka mga ‘to. Hello sa mga kasali sa Aspin Society Elite. #wagako #aspinsocietyelite #presidentpanda #notodiscrimination.”
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In the comments, Evangelista continued the lighthearted tone, saying, “#AspinSocietyELITE of the Elite!! Go anak. Mind your [vocabulary], Sayang ang masters degree,” followed by, “Invite mo na anak si Yoda for high tea!”
This gesture followed the uproar over the incident at Balay Dako, a restaurant in Tagaytay, which had refused entry to Yoda and her owner. The restaurant apologized, explaining that while they love animals, they must prioritize the safety of their guests. However, many netizens, including the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), criticized the action, calling it discrimination against native dogs.
“This incident is particularly disheartening as it underscores the persistence of harmful stereotypes and unjust biases against our very own native dogs,” PAWS said in a statement.
Evangelista’s stance on the issue comes after previously facing criticism for dressing Panda in a P11 million diamond-encrusted necklace, which some saw as an out-of-touch display of luxury. However, the actress remains a staunch advocate for animal welfare, having adopted Panda in 2015 after rescuing her from Batangas.
