The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals should be very busy these days. What with several teleseryes using err, employing real animals in their shows! They should see to it that the animal rights are not being abused or that the animals do not suffer unfair labor practice!

I had the rare opportunity to act with an animal – a white german shepherd in LOBO. And I must say that the animal rights of the dog were very much protected!

Take this: At 12:10 a.m., I was called to proceed to the locaion so I had to get out of bed and rush to the place which was near Manila City Hall, some 29 kilometers from my place in Bulacan. I arrived at the set at about 1:15 a.m., immediately after the crew had set up the lighting and the cameras, we were able to take the first and second scenes. However, we could not proceed with the third scene because we have to wait for the arrival of the white german shepherd which I would be acting with in that scene. When he arrived, the dog did not suffer tongue-lashing from the Production Staff for making everybody wait but was treated well! In fact, he was given some time to rest first before we took the scene.

The dog which is English speaking follows only the command from his master/trainor/owner. Our director – Cathy Molina had to give the instructions to the dog’s master/trainor/owner for him to command the dog on what he is suppose to do. And since the master/trainor/owner uses the reward system, as he gives instructions to the dog, he takes out a handful of dog food from his pocket and gives it to the dog. I must say, the dog was given the “pampering” just so that he will act according to the wishes of the director.

When commuters of the LRT started to arrive at the Arroceros LTR Station, the dog was very uneasy since some of the commuters were watching the taping. The dog was very much upset of the crowd. Twice, the dog did not follow the instructions of his trainor and instead it ran away! The trainor and his helpers had to run after him. But still, nobody made any complain on his misdemeanor. I am sure that if it were an ordinary talent who did not follow the instructions given by the director, the talent would have been replaced immediately!. But not in the case of the dog! Everybody seemed to be very patient with his tantrums!

In fairness to the dog, he followed the instructions for as long as he was not irritated or distracted by the crowd. For one scene, it required that I was face to face with the dog. The dog would suddenly appear in front of me from nowhere! I have complete trust that the dog will not accidentally attack me although it acted like it is ready to attack me!

I hope you were able to watch these exciting scene I had with the white german shepherd and all my scenes in LOBO which aired wednesday to friday last week on ABS-CBN Channel 2!

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