Parkmall, Cebu’s first pet-friendly mall, is organizing the most diverse gathering of pets and industry holders by hosting its most anticipated event, Pet Festival Philippines 2022—a week-long event that starts on Monday, May 16, and culminates on Sunday, May 22.Parkmall’s Pet Festival is an annual event that first began in 2009. Since then, it has bagged the Silver Award for Marketing Excellence in the Cause-Related Marketing category of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Asia-Pacific Shopping Center Awards in 2017.Unfortunately, the festival had to be postponed the past two years due to the lockdowns and restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. During those two years, there was an increase in pet ownership from young pet lovers, and this week-long pet festival aims to draw out these pet lovers and welcome them to the pet-loving community.The festival also aims to promote responsible pet ownership and provide information on how to usher pets into the new normal. As quarantine restrictions are eased and the world adjusts to post-pandemic life, it is important to reignite the sense of community among pet owners—something that had to take a backseat during the Covid-19 lockdowns.A ribbon-cutting ceremony will officially kick off the Pet Festival on May 16 at 10:00 a.m. Throughout the week, pet lovers are welcome to visit exhibits from pet merchants, local pet shops, and pet clubs—all coming together for a one-stop exhibit everyone will enjoy.Familiar and exciting pet activities are making a comeback during the festival. Among these are: the Parade of Pets, an All-Breed Fun Match, the American Bully Show, the Great Hamster Race, a Bird Show, and an Aquascaping Contest that’s perfect for owners who want to flex their aquariums.The last two days of the festival are jam-packed with events no pet lover should miss. One such event is the adoption drive on May 21, which will be headed by the Island Rescue Organization (IRO).IRO is a non-profit organization that rescues animals and takes care of them until they can find their forever homes. Pet lovers who have adopted a pet through IRO before are welcome to attend the fur-parents reunion on May 22.And of course, the all-time crowd favorite, the “Pawshionista,” is also making a comeback, and it invites both pets and pet owners to strut down the runway and give it their all. This year, the Pawshionista’s theme is “Pet Gala: Pawshionistas of the New World,” which is inspired by the famous New York-based charity event, the MET Gala.The Pawshionista is slated for the last day of the festival, May 22 at 5:00 p.m. Other activities include enrollment for a seven-week obedience training workshop in the Pawsitive Academy on May 21. On that same day, there will also be an interactive workshop and forum focusing on emergency first aid for your pet and outpatient medical care, and a pet blessing event.For more details on the events and schedules of the Pet Festival 2022, visit Parkmall’s Facebook page. SPONSORED CONTENT.