Hero cats of UP Diliman

There are people who insists on creating a divide between cats and dogs — usually to make the latter look "better" — but the truth is, both are wonderful companions.

It's the reason why the disappearance of the Cats of BGC was upsetting. The people who spent time feeding and caring for the cats lost their friends. Anyone who has ever lost a cat — or any pet for that matter — knows the pain is similar to losing a family member. 

Cats are capable of love and they show it overtly. The students, faculty, and staff at Plaridel Hall at the University of the Philippines Diliman know this for a fact, as cats have done heroic acts for them on more than one occasion. 

In a special report by acclaimed journalist Howie Severino, Prof. Khrysta Rara shared the story of a standoff between a cat and a cobra.

"'Yong cobra...isang Sunday morning, may lumabas na cobra diyan (a gutter), hinarang ni Godiva (a cat)," Rara said. "Kung hindi siya hinarangan ni Godiva, puwedeng tutuloy siya do'n, papasok siya sa entrance ng college."

"Bumalik 'yong cobra sa butas," she continued.

Cat: 1, Cobra: 0.

Rara relayed another incident, this time involving firearms. Someone had noticed a cat suddenly appearing on his feet, making agitated noises. 

"Bigla daw ng hiss ('yong pusa) ... Nakita niya 'yong isang lalake, pupukpukin 'yong mga gwardya, tapos aagawin 'yong armas," Rara said. 

She added, "So that cat saved the guard who was going to grab his gun!"

Rara is a member of Friends of Campus Animals (FOCA) and while she understands that cats can be perceived as pests, there's something that can be done to bring out the best in them. 

"Oo nagiging pests sila, but there's a way of managing them," Rara explained, pointing to the spaying and neutering as a way to curb the cat population in an area. Simply putting a lid on garbage bins could help prevent them from scattering trash around. 

Howie Severino's I-Witness documentary "Saving Kitty" / "Pusang Gala" will tell more cat stories and allegories. Catch it on GMA-7, 11pm, March 24 (Saturday). — Aya Tantiangco, GMA News