Beauty queen and professional volleyball player Michele Gumabao with her Maltese named Rain at the Unleash pet app gala held in One Esplanade, Pasay City on February 28, 2025. Michele was launched as the pet app's ambassador.
Philstar.com / Kathleen A. Llemit
MANILA, Philippines — More than accessories and tangibles, Michele Gumabao advised her fellow pet parents to give their fur babies time and commitment.
The professional volleyball player and beauty queen is owner to five Maltese dogs, who all accompanied her to her unveiling as the face of pet app Unleash held in Pasay City last February 28.
“Family talaga namin super hilig sa pets. It started with my parents na sobrang hilig sa aso and then yung dalawang kapatid ko, sina Marco and Gita, sila naman ‘yung medyo nag-venture into cats. Ako, hindi ako cat person. Super dog lover talaga ako,” Michele told Philstar.com on the sidelines of the pet app gala.
Michele finds dogs to be sweet: “There's something about them na nakakatanggal sila ng stress at the end of the day, na parang kapag pagod na pagod ka, they just want to cuddle with you. ‘Yung personality nila is what I love and ang dali nilang dalhin kung saan-saan, and they're very friendly."
Michele said she had a lot of dogs in the past since her family loves pets, but one of them already died.
She shared how fellow pet owners can show love to their pets: “To be responsible, make sure you're fully equipped and ready to be a fur parent. Number 2, always enjoy your time with them, make sure you have time with them. And number 3, love them unconditionally and make sure that we give them the best."
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