by: John Urvie B. Papelleras
True to their name, CIT University is home to thousands of strong- and bold-hearted “Wildcats.” The ones who keep on chasing their dreams along the hallways of SAL, into the endless lines in RTL, and up to the eighth floor of GLE. Amidst this fast-paced Technologian life, an idle world coexists, ruled by whimsical little creatures of the students’ namesake. You guessed it. Cats! Like, litter-ally.
In the eyes of cats, the Technologian life is just a routine of window-shopping in canteens, meow-deling along corridors, and gathering gossip and belly rubs from bored people who need time off their busy, day-to-day schedules. This is how Marites, the first-ever stray cat cared for by the P.E. Department made her way into the university.
Chenalyn Baclay, a fourth-year non-academic university scholar who works in the P.E. Department, lends a hand in taking care of the cats. Their department head, Ms. Jean Marie Cando, P.E. chairperson and athletic director, took the initiative of supplying the felines with their basic needs. According to Baclay, Marites is one of the cats who paved the way for other stray cats to be welcomed in the campus.
“Ang first cat jud nga among gialagaan diri sa office kay si Marites. Magsige na siya ug meow labi na inig lunchtime. Kato si Marites, friendly gyud kayo tu siya. Bisag kinsa lang ang mukugos niya,” Baclay shared.
[The first cat that we really cared for in this office was Marites. She always meows, most especially during lunchtime. Marites was very friendly. Anyone wanted to carry her.]
In the shaded spots near the P.E. Department, lurks a paunchy gray cat who seems to be always contemplating his life choices. His name is Bruno and it’s impossible not to talk about him. His calm demeanor often grants him rubs and treats. But unlike him, his best friend Sunny, as her name suggested, enjoys to bathe in the sun. She is everyone’s favorite with her contagious affection and cheer which she often emanates within the Allied building. Bruno also has an archnemesis—a snow-colored cat named Yuki. Hoping they would mend their scratched relationship soon.
Meanwhile, in the hallways of the Academic building, one of the earliest cats in the campus flaunts her tail. Garfield is a spayed bright orange cat who loves sweet talks and belly rubs. You might even see her lining up with Teknoys in IMDC and chilling in the Alumni’s Office. Feet apart, the NGE building also has its own heroes: Hiro and Chase. Hiro makes it a daily mission to save the Nursing and Computer Engineering students from the daunting abyss of life. Chase, on the other hand, is a hero in his own story, a solitary animal who prefers to stay in his own bubble. Perhaps cats are more relatable than we give them credit for, fur real.
Some other cats on campus are Oreo, Luna, and Marimar. Oreo is that introverted friend in a group who only talks to their close folks at a party. Luna, on the other hand, completely avoids human interactions as much as she could but give her a break, she’s a newcomer. Last but not the least is Marimar, the most affectionate of the clutter who loves cuddles and lots of cat food.
Though wordless creatures they are, these feline friends have made substantial impacts in the lives of Teknoys. Baclay recalled how cats make their workplace a lighter environment in spite of buzzing days.
“Kami kay naa man jud mi busy days. Naa man gyud nay time nga stress na kaayo ka. Kung makakita mi sa mga iring, amo silang tawagon,” Baclay recounted.
[We really have busy days. There are times that you feel so stressed out. When we see the cats, we just call them.]
Amidst the never-ending exams and piled-up deadlines, campus cats remind Teknoys to slow down for a while, ponder, and appreciate the small things in this mundane world. They are in check of each one’s hearts, of the affection it can give and the softness it conceals. Now, the aim is to make the term “stray” for these cats a misnomer, for them to find safety and comfort – a warm-hearted home in the Wildcat community.
In loving memory of Bruno and Garfield.
