Celebrities condemn dog killing in ‘Oro’

Celebrities are taking to social media to air their disgust over the killing of a dog in the film Oro, which is a Metro Manila Film Fest (MMFF) entry.

According to the Philippine Entertainment Portal, the film was stripped of the FPJ Memorial Award it received during the 42nd MMFF Gabi ng Parangal.

According to the Oro script (written in Tagalog): “Boy will see the capture of the dog. The head will be placed in a sack while it will be hit with a two by two (wooden pole) until its death.” The dog actually died in the scene. MMFF has ordered the removal of the scene in future Oro screenings. The movie stars Irma Adlawan, Mercedes Cabral and Joem Bascon.

The Film and Development Council of the Philippines will be investigating the incident, said chairperson Liza Diño-Seguerra.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society or Paws is inclined to file a case against the people responsible for the death of the dog.

Here are some of reactions from Filipino celebrities:

Heart Evangelista: “A life is a life and should never be trivialized for the sake of art or what have you. Such a shame!!!” Carla Abellana: “To those responsible for the killing and butchering of an aspin (asong Pinoy) in the movie Oro— SHAME ON YOU. #NoToAnimalCruelty #AnimalCrueltyIsACrime #AmendedAnimalWelfareActRA8485 #AnimalCrueltyInOro.”

Sarah Geronimo: “Kung totoo man ito… hindi ko mapaniwalaan na nagawa nilang patayin ang walang kamalay-malay na asong ito para lang maging makatotohanan ang isang eksena sa pelikula. Nakakadurog ng puso (If this is true… I can’t believe they would kill an innocent dog just to make a scene in a movie look authentic. It’s heart-breaking).”

Lauren Young: “Disgusted that an animal was harmed for the sake of “art.” Words cannot describe the horrible feeling in my stomach. WHY?”

Saab Magalona: “Sa lahat ng Oro cast & crew na alam ang nangyari sa aso at walang ginawa: mandiri kayo sa sarili niyo. Wala

kayong puso (To the cast and crew of Oro who knew about what happened to the dog and didn’t do anything: You should be revolted. You don’t have a heart).”

Coleen Garcia: “What we can gain from the #Oro controversy is awareness. Ultimately, the scene’s an accurate depiction of what happens here in our own country. Always look at the bigger picture. There are many things wrong with this world, but as human beings, we are capable of righting those wrongs.”