World Animal Day Pet Blessing

Cebu's pet-friendliest mall marks World Animal Day with its traditional pet blessing at the Parkmall open grounds. A morning mass is followed by individual blessings — expect a queue of freshly bathed shih tzus, local cats in strollers, love birds, and at least one very confused duck, all sprinkled with holy water to applause.

The Island Rescue Organization joins with an adoption and donation booth, and the mall's pet merchants offer blessing-day treats. The program starts at 8 a.m. to beat the heat, and the whole thing is free. It's a gentle, joyful Cebuano tradition — many families have made it their annual pet portrait day, with the mall setting up a flower-arch photo spot right after the rite.