A carabao in Oriental Mindoro was reportedly saved from being sold for meat thanks to the intervention of a TikTok user.
Bataan Animal Welfare, a grassroots initiative in the province led by animal advocates, posted the story of a carabao that had originally been slated for slaughter after serving for 32 years.
“Isang kalabaw sa Oriental Mindoro na buong buhay nang naglingkod, at sa dulo, ibebenta lang para maging karne dahil mahina na ang katawan,” the org said on Friday, November 14.
“Tatlong dekada siyang nag-araro. Tatlong dekada siyang naghatid ng kabuhayan. Tatlong dekada siyang naging sandigan ng isang pamilya. At pagkatapos ng lahat ng ‘yan? Ibebenta siya dahil hindi na mapakinabangan?” it added.
The organization said that if the carabao were human, its condition is already equivalent to that of a “senior citizen.”
“May respeto, may proteksyon, at may karapat-dapat na pahinga. Pero dahil hayop siya, may ilan pa ring naniniwalang ‘normal’ lang na matapos ang 32 taon ng serbisyo, hahantong lang siya sa katayan at ibebenta nang kilo-kilo,” it said.
“Hindi ito tama. Hindi ito makatao. At hindi ito makatarungan para sa isang buhay na naglingkod nang buong katapatan hanggang sa huling lakas niya,” the post read.
On Monday, November 17, the organization said that the carabao had been saved from the risk of being sold for meat.
“This rescue was made possible through the kindness of TikTok user Smoothie, who initiated a fundraising campaign, and to everyone who donated until the P50,000 goal was reached,” it said in an update.
“For now, the carabao is staying safely in Smoothie’s care — finally treated with the respect and compassion he has always deserved,” the organization added.
The post has earned 17,000 likes and reactions, 1,000 shares and over 1,200 comments.
The carabao is now in the care of TikTok user @smoothie3325, who has been sharing updates about the animal.
According to him, the carabao became weak after eating grass that had been treated with an herbicide.
“He lost his appetite and he became unhealthy. Everything changed, the decision [was] made. His owner ended up [selling] him,” the TikTok user wrote in a post, adding that the decision to sell was because the carabao could not help them anymore.
The TikTok user also claimed that the owner told him: “Siya nagpaganda ng aming tubigan, napatapos ko limang anak ko dahil diyan, mahal ko ‘tong kalabaw na ‘to pero ‘di naman ako mayaman eh.”
The TikTok user said he “cried” upon learning the carabao’s story.
@smoothie3325 30+ YEARS SPENDING HIS LIFE TO HIS OWNER AND FARM LAND TO PROVIDE THEM A BETTER LIFE, SUCCESSFUL, AND GREAT RICE FIELD TO GAIN MONEY BY HIM. THEN SUDDENLY BECAUSE OF THE GRASS HE ATE, THAT HAVE A HERBICIDE HE LOSS HIS APPETITE AND BECOME UNHEALTHY. EVERYTHING CHANGE, THE DECISION IS MADE, HIS OWNER ENDED UP TO SELL HIM, THEY REGRETTED TO HIM BECAUSE HE CAN’T HELP THEM ANYMORE BECAUSE OF BEING UNHEALTHY. I ASK THEM, HOW MANY YEARS THIS CARABAO SPEND ON YOUR FARM? THEY’VE SAID 32 YEARS, “S’YA NAG PAGANDA NG AMING TUBIGAN, NAPATAPOS KO LIMANG ANAK KO DAHIL DYAN, MAHAL KO TONG KALABAW NA ‘TO PERO DI NAMAN AKO MAYAMAN E”. YOU HAVE A ABSOLUTE LIFE TAY PERO HANDA MONG I-LET GO TONG KALABAW NA NAKASAMA MO NA SA HIRAP AT GINHAWA HE GIVE THE THINGS ESPECIALLY TO MAKES THE THINGS EASIER, NAKITA KO IYAK NG MAY-ARI PERO, DIKO MAGETS WHY WHY?? ALL OF HIS CHILDREN IS ALL PROFESSIONALS. SORRY BRO TRABAHO LANG ‘TO E, KUNG MAYAMAN AKO, AKO NA SANA BUMILI SAYO HAYS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I CRIED TO A CARABAO THAT I PULLED TO THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE, EVEN THIS IS JOB I CAN’T🙁 SO PAINFUL TO ME AND I CAN FEEL HIM THAT HE ALSO FELT THAT CAUSE IN ANY MOMENT HE WILL BE DEAD SOON. PLEASE EVERY ONE IF YOU HAVE A ANIMALS DON’T TREAT THEM AS A INVESTMENT CONSIDER THEM AS YOUR FAMILY “A PART OF A FAMILY”. BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONE WHO PUT ON WHAT YOU ARE NOW. YOU’RE SO KIND AND I DON’T KNOW WHY WHY!?!? I’VE CRIED ALOT TO YOU BRO, PERO WALA AKO KAKAYAHAN AT RESOURCES TO TAKE YOU. SORRY. #fyp #carabao #fyp ♬ Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay – Ben&Ben
Some Filipinos made donations, allowing the TikTok user to take care of the carabao in the meantime.
He also said he will post an update for its adoption, admitting he does not have the capability to take care of the carabao for the long term.
“A successful retirement,” the TikTok user said, referring to the carabao’s rescue after what would have been a grim fate.
@smoothie3325 HERE’S AN UPDATE GUYS‼️ A SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT. UNANG UNA PO SA LAHAT SA LAHAT THANKYOU LORD, DAHIL KUNG DI DAHIL SA KANYA WALA DIN AKO DITO, AT SA MGA TAONG WILLING NA TUMULONG SALAMAT PO NG NAPAKARAMI. “WE WILL DO ANYTHING SO WE CAN HAD YOU BACK”. NANDITO NA SYA NGAYON SA BAHAY GUYS, AND I WILL POST AN UPDATE REGARDS SA MAG A-ADOPT AND ISA PA WALA DIN NAMAN PO AKONG KAKAYAHAN MAG ALAGA NG MATAGAL KAY KARA-BAW PASENSYA NA PO. SALAMAT GUYS SOBRAA AT KUNG MAY TANONG KAYO PM NIYO PO AKO. LOWBAT NA PO KASI AKO 🥹#carabao #cow #fyp #update ♬ Everything I Own – Bread
Carabaos are known as farmers’ dependable helpers in the fields, often referred to as “living tractors” because they assist in plowing and harrowing muddy rice paddies.
Their sturdy, heavy build makes them well-suited for the demanding work required in rice fields.
In many remote rural areas, carabaos also serve as a practical means of transportation.
