Vitug Vlogs: Do a Kabang

MANILA, Philippines – 

Dog hero Kabang made headlines after the dog saved 2 children.

Rappler’s editor at large Marites Vitug says Kabang’s heroic actions redefine dog vocabulary.

Here’s her video blog.

Kabang, the provincial dog who risked her life—and lost half her face—to protect 2 children from a rushing motorbike, is home after a 7-month treatment in the US.
It has not only nourished our souls.
It has also rescued dog vocabulary from the gutter.
Take canine devotion.
We use this to describe some politicians’ unquestioning subservience to, let’s say, a party boss.
But what Kabang showed us was fidelity to her human friends.
We also use the word lapdog in a negative way, a variation of canine devotion.
We say, for example, a lapdog of the president.
While Kabang is no longer small enough to be cuddled in our laps—that’s what a lapdog really is—it certainly is a loyal dog.
In the street protests of the ‘70s and ‘80s, tuta was one of the most derisive words used.
I remember the shouts and chants of “tuta ni Marcos!” referring to the soldiers, policemen and high government officials defending martial law.
But puppies are among the most lovable creatures on this earth.
Why not make Kabang part of our lingo?
Let’s do a Kabang! Let’s do something good and noble for others and, for once, forget that the world revolves around us.
This is Marites Vitug for VitugVlogs.

– Rappler.com