The Taal Volcano eruption in early 2020 saw nearly 14 kilometers of land blanketed with ash. Communities in Batangas and Cavite were seriously impacted by the disaster with people displaced and homes devastated. Another challenge was rescuing the animals that remained in this area.
Many animals found alive in the aftermath of the volcano eruption had bad burns on their skin and exhibited signs of disease from inhaling ash and smoke. Some had to be put to sleep as their condition proved to be hopeless. Others needed to be rescued, rehabilitated and provided a safe space where they could be attended to.
A group of 46 horses were among the animals in the greatest danger. With their owners unable to look after them, these wonderful creatures faced an uncertain future. If no one stepped up to shelter and care for the horses, they would be sent to meat butchers for slaughter.
The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) took the lead on a rescue initiative, trying to find homes for the horses. Ms. Rosie Tsai, CEO of CitiHomes Builder and Development, Inc., happened to see photos and headlines of the horses that had been reported in some newspapers and immediately searched for the source of the story. She travelled to nearby evacuation centers to check out the situation for herself.
Inspired by PAWS’ initiative, MyCitiHomes was able to rescue 6 horses. The intervention could not have come at a better time as the MyCitiHomes team had to outbid horse meat butchers to save some of the horses.
“With so many of our developments in the Cavite area, we knew that this was one of our humble ways of helping out the community as a whole while it gets back on its feet,” Ms. Tsai shares.
As part of the in by MyCitiHomes’ Taal Adopt a Horse program, the horses were sent to a ranch in Brgy Pantihan 3, Maragondon, a nearly 11-hectare property that is the perfect place for the horses to heal and start their new life. Currently, there are eight horses at the ranch, including the beautiful Princess.
A new life
Princess is one of the horses that used to call Tagaytay home. The town is well-known for being a tourist destination, but there are also numerous gardens and farms around the area with farm animals and livestock. It’s located just north of Taal Lake and was one of the areas hit hardest by ash.
The volcanic eruption meant the owner of Princess was forced to give her up due to loss of livelihood. It was a sad story, but one with a happy ending. The MyCitiHomes’ Taal Adopt a Horse program took in Princess and she had a surprise to share with her new family.
Months later it was discovered that Princess was pregnant. Today, both mother and newborn are healthy and living happily together. Eventually, Princess and the other rescued horses will be housed on Kaway’an Ecofarm next to the Sabella Village project developed by MyCitiHomes.
This three-hectare, eco-farm destination adjacent to Sabella will be the ideal place for the animals to live. What’s more, residents can learn about horses and gain a greater appreciation for them through popular activities, such as horseback riding.
Giving back to the community
Not only have the horses been given a better place to thrive on the ranch, the project has also helped several local residents by providing jobs. Stable hands and caretakers were needed to look after the animals and make sure they are healing well.
One of the caretakers is Mang Eddie Oliver, a horse handler by trade, who has been joined by his son Ronnie, a former machine operator at a factory in Saudi Arabia. The pair are just two of the many people the initiative has employed in the Philippines amidst the pandemic.
All of these positive efforts go back to the mission of MyCitiHomes which has always been to act in the service of God. For 14 years, the organization has been building from the heart. It is their values that serve as guidance to make the best decisions to help the communities they are a part of. It is always the hope of the company to be an instrument of blessings to others, even beyond housing.
As for Princess and her baby, they can be found on the ranch, enjoying the space and care they receive. For MyCitiHomes, there truly is no life too small to save.