Kapamilya actress Jodi Sta. Maria has joined calls to stop the planned slaughter of 100 cows as part of a prayer rally set on September 21.
On Instagram, Jodi reposted the official statement of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) condemning the act, which organizers claim would be offered as a symbolic cleansing ritual for the Philippines.
“Animals, including these cows, have no political stance — they simply want to live. Cows are gentle animals who love their babies and cry out in fear when their lives are taken,” read PETA’s statement.
“Turning their suffering into a public spectacle is cruelty, plain and simple. Taking their lives for a political stunt is shameful, and we beg those involved to reconsider. Choosing compassion instead of cruelty would show the world the progressive country the Philippines truly is and give the entire nation something to be proud of.”
The post also carried the reminder: “STOP THE KILLING OF COWS ON SEPT. 21.”
While Jodi did not add her own caption, netizens quickly connected her repost to the upcoming rally, which includes a planned cattle offering as part of a prayer ritual.
Other celebrities, including Iza Calzado, Bela Padilla, and Rita Avila, also opposed the move. In Jodi’s post, Rita Avila even left a tongue-in-cheek comment: “Eh ano naman ang gagawin sa mga magnanaCOWS?” to which Jodi replied, “Ano ang nararapat na kaparusahan sa palagay mo Ms. A?”
Rita responded: “Naku eh umamin muna sila dahil may batas naman para sa kanila. Kung ayaw mag-aminan… eh di magtuturuan sila, magkakainitan, maglalaban-laban. Matira matibay. Ang matira, gagawing tapa.”
The controversy comes after Vice President Sara Duterte called on Davaoeños to join the prayer rally, framing the cattle slaughter as a symbolic offering.
“Dabawenyos will make an offering to the heavens with the slaughter of a hundred cattle for the cleansing of the country’s spirit, and to pray for divine intervention to turn the Philippines into a secured and prosperous nation, where all Filipinos live in comfort and peace,” Duterte said.
She added that prayers would also include the return of former President Rodrigo Duterte to Davao City.
