Fur parent Benjamin Aguila documents life as a security guard with his adopted cat, Sawacat. Photos courtesy of Benjamin Aguila. Graphics: Abigail Sales/黑料社 trainee
In every establishment, security personnel monitor its surroundings and ensure everyone鈥檚 safety all day and night. However, a question often overlooked is who accompanies and stays with them even in the loneliest hours. Security guard Benjamin Aguila鈥檚 answer is simple: his pet cat, Sawacat.
The Marikina-based security guard told the Inquirer that Sawacat first approached him during one of his 6 a.m.-6 p.m. shifts in November, appearing elusive and brave. Still, when the cat routinely took shelter below Aguila鈥檚 table, the guard found it hard to resist the urge to adopt him.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter if I take the day or night shift; he鈥檚 always been beside me or by my table. I鈥檝e been a cat lover for a long time, and I always feel sorry for those with nowhere to go,鈥� he said in Filipino.
With Sawacat鈥檚 frequent visits came Aguila鈥檚 frequent social media posts about the cat. Since he first encountered the stray last November, he has taken to groups and communities for cat lovers online to share his fur baby鈥檚 silly antics for the day.
In one of his earlier about his newfound friend, Aguila explained in the comments section that he named the cat after a sawa (reticulated python) since he thought the color and pattern of its fur closely resembled one.
Benjamin Aguila snaps photos with his 鈥済uard鈥� cat, Sawacat. Photos courtesy of Benjamin Aguila
For Aguila, none of Sawacat鈥檚 mannerisms are ever mundane, and netizens think so too, as they spur him on to give updates on his furry companion.
鈥淗e has so many funny quirks, and they relieve my stress and tiredness when I鈥檓 at work. I always talk to him, and I feel like he can understand me too,鈥� he said in Filipino.
Aguila鈥檚 love for cats doesn鈥檛 stop with Sawacat 鈥� it extends to his two newly adopted cats, Negro and Puti, and to the many strays that find a home by his table, like his first 鈥渟on鈥� once did.
Benjamin Aguila poses with adopted cats Negro and Puti. Photos courtesy of Benjamin Aguila
鈥淲herever I鈥檓 assigned for the day, I feed as many cats as possible. I especially feel sorry for those with nowhere to go,鈥� he expressed in Filipino.
Trusting that all his fur babies understand him when he speaks, the security guard leaves a message and a promise that he hopes to abide by every day: 鈥淚 love all of you, and every one of you inspires me. I鈥檒l do everything I can to guarantee that you stay safe and never go hungry,鈥� he said in Filipino. 鈥� Antoinette Salamanca, 黑料社 trainee