Eternal Paw Crematory opens first branch in Santa Rosa City, Laguna

The ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the official inauguration of Eternal Paw Crematory, led by Santa Rosa City officials including Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas (3rd from the left) and City Councilor Sonia U. Algabre (2nd from the right), along with Eternal Paw executives Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon (2nd from the left), Vice Chairman Benjamin V. Ramos (leftmost), and President Dannica Nicole A. Cabangon (rightmost).

In a simple ceremony, the Eternal Paw Crematory, the first pet cremation service provider in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, was officially inaugurated on June 27, 2024. The event was graced by Eternal Paw Crematory executive officers led by Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon, Santa Rosa City officials including Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas, Vice Mayor Arnold B. Arcillas, and City Councilor Sonia U. Algabre, along with other distinguished guests.

The ceremony began with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Ray-an Jerico Rosales Jabay of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish – Bel-Air. In his homily, Rev. Fr. Jabay spoke about the connection between humans and their pets, emphasizing that the lack of speech in dogs teaches humans the power of expressing love through actions. “Dogs cannot talk because it is for us humans to realize that actions are a powerful way of expressing love,” he said.

Following the mass, the event continued with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the official opening of the facility. The unveiling of the building marker highlighted Eternal Paw’s mission of providing dignified afterlife care for pets through their cremation services. Rev. Fr. Jabay then blessed the building, and the traditional coin shower was held afterward.

The event continued with the appearance of ALCie, the official mascot of the ALC Group of Companies. ALCie advocates for responsible pet ownership and emphasized that caring for pets extends beyond their lifetime, advocating for dignified end-of-life care. ALCie’s message, read by the host, reminded the attendees: “As pet owners, your responsibility extends to their final journey. They deserve the same dignity in death as they did in life.”

In her welcome remarks, Eternal Paw President Dannica Nicole A. Cabangon shared a heartfelt story about her first pet, Cheeky, a golden retriever given to her and her sister Giannina by their father, D. Edgard A. Cabangon. “For 12 years, Cheeky filled our lives with happiness and love. Her passing was a moment of deep sorrow, but it also highlighted the importance of responsible pet ownership, including dignified end-of-life care,” she recounted. “Eternal Paw Crematory was born from this understanding and love for our pets. Our tagline, ‘Because your pet deserves eternal love,’ reflects our mission to provide the best service to our clients, ensuring every pet receives the dignified care they deserve.”

Vice Mayor Arnold B. Arcillas, a dog lover since his childhood, expressed his gratitude about the new facility. He shared personal anecdotes about his pets and mentioned the inquiries from his friends seeking pet cremation services. He highlighted the community’s need for such services and the strong support from the local government.

Meanwhile, Mayor Arlene Arcillas, also a pet lover and a longtime friend of the Cabangon family, shared her deep connection with Eternal Gardens Santa Rosa, describing the area as “very memorable and almost a part of her.” She recounted the opening of Eternal Gardens Santa Rosa in 2007 and shared fond memories of Eternal Group founder Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua, whom she called “Dad Amba.” “He is very special to me,” she said.

“When you come to Santa Rosa, you never want to leave. The Eternal Group’s continuous development is a testament to this. All the promises made to me, like the Santa Rosa de Lima and Sto. Niño plazas, have been fulfilled. Thank you very much. The Cabangons are part of my life.”

Mayor Arcillas also expressed her gratitude for the bringing responsible pet ownership at such a high level. “Thank you very much for bringing to the highest level responsible pet ownership. Thank you for making a way for us pet lovers, for doing this for us and for our babies [pets] who are part of our lives.”

She also expressed the support of the City Government of Santa Rosa to the Eternal Group. “Eternal Gardens and all the businesses of the Eternal Group that have made Santa Rosa their home are part of the Santa Rosa family.”

Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon expressed his gratitude to Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas, Vice Mayor Arnold B. Arcillas, and other distinguished guests for their warm reception and support. He then shared the deep friendship between The Cabangon Family and the Arcillas Family, emphasizing their instrumental role in realizing the vision for Eternal Gardens Santa Rosa. “When my father envisioned to open Eternal Gardens Santa Rosa, the Arcillas Family was there to help us bring that vision to life,” Cabangon remarked. “I am happy that this friendship has continued until today and will surely last for many years to come.”

“My father was also a dog lover. I remember he had German Shepherds and a Rottweiler. The last dog he had before he joined our Creator was a Princess Maltese, which was left to my Mommy Benny and sister Ces. Even I had many dogs since childhood, and now I have Biden, a Cocker Spaniel. You can expect from us that our service will be from the heart, as we, ourselves, are pet lovers. Thank you for welcoming us here in Santa Rosa. We promise to return the favor in the best way we can—by bringing first-class memorial care services to our people and now, the best memorial services for pets.”

The Eternal Paw Crematory is equipped with a beautifully designed service reception, viewing area, family lounge, and a state-of-the-art cremation area. The facility aims to offer the highest quality of service, employing well-trained staff to assist pet owners in their time of need.

Looking ahead, the Eternal Group plans to expand its pet cremation services to other locations, ensuring that more Filipino families have access to comprehensive and dignified memorial care for their beloved pets. “With the establishment of Eternal Paw Crematory, we complete the Eternal Group’s mission of providing comprehensive care, not just for our loved ones but for our cherished pets as well,” Dannica Nicole A. Cabangon concluded.

Eternal Paw Crematory belongs to the Eternal Group, which includes Eternal Gardens, Eternal Chapels, Eternal Crematory, and Eternal Plans. It is part of the ALC Group of Companies, founded by the late Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua and currently chaired by D. Edgard A. Cabangon.