My fiancée and I got stuck in Baguio during the coronavirus lockdown in March 2020 when we went there for a project. The city sealed its borders before we could leave, trapping us in the Summer Capital of the Philippines.
The organizers who invited us to Baguio lent us a place to stay during that dreadful time.
Our Hamsters were in Antipolo with a caretaker. We called every day to make sure they were okay. Most of them became fatter because of the cold weather in Antipolo, but some of the older ones passed away of natural causes.
With no source of income and no definite date for when we could return, we slowly felt the dread of the unknown. Our pockets were running dry, and our mental health was going south as well.
AWAY FROM HOME
Two months into our stay in Baguio, we got two Hamsters for when we returned to Metro Manila. We fondly named them Cowbell Snow and Kamote Snow. Their names came from the food we ate during our stay that was similar to their color: Cowbell was a long-furred Syrian albino Hamster named after the Cow Bell condensada, and Kamote was a short-furred Syrian Hamster whose body and color resembled sweet potatoes.
These two Hamsters literally and figuratively saved our lives. They kept us sane and helped us fight depression. Kamote even had a thing for watching shows with us. He would stay still on our shoulders as the small laptop entertained us.
As the lockdown dragged on with no clear idea of when we could return to Manila Cowbell and Kamote became our guiding light – to never give up and to stay strong, because we had other Hamsters and Guinea Pigs waiting for us back home.
A few months later, after a lot of paperwork, we were able to catch a ride out of Baguio and return to Metro Manila. When we safely got back to our home in Quezon City, we packed up some things and traveled to Antipolo so we could finally see our Hamsters and Guinea Pigs again. We then incorporated Cowbell and Kamote into our Hamster lines, and their descendants live on in our Hamster society today.
Some of their descendants have gone on to become champions and winners in various Hamster shows and competitions. Each year, we try to visit Baguio and our friends there to thank them and to show appreciation to the place that kept us safe.
SETTING THE STAGE FOR OUR TINY STARS
Fast forward to August 2025, my fiancée and I visited Baguio again and got to meet Hamster guardian Jack Soriano, Jr. Funnily enough, he already knew me – because of my first Syrian Hamster article in Animal Scene and through mutual friends who know about our champion Hamsters.
We visited his Hamster place, because no Baguio trip would be complete without cuddling and squishing cute, adorable Hamsters. During our visit, he shared that he was planning to organize a Hamster meet-up and competition.
I immediately lit up and asked him about the details because I wanted to join, but he jokingly said we were “banned” since our team had already won various Hamster competitions in Metro Manila. Ayu and I are proud to have remained undefeated in the Golden Hamster (short fur) category up to now.
Since this was the very first Hamster show and competition to be held in Baguio, it was only fair to give the spotlight to the locals who wanted to showcase their precious little fur-babies.
Instead, Jack asked me and my team, Ayu and Jewel, to serve as judges for the event.
I also suggested inviting the Arce Brothers (A Bro’s Hamstery), the undefeated kings of the Teddy Bear (long-furred) category, to join us as judges.
THE TRIP
Riding our vehicle, my fiancée Ayu and my best friend Jewel were invited alongside me to judge the competition. Since it was also a celebration of Jewel’s birthday and her first time in Baguio – she’s the one who cares for our pets when we are out of town – we invited all our close friends to join us on the trip.
Accompanying us was one of our closest friends, Maw, who also served as our driver and event photographer, along with his girlfriend, Ayvi. Another Hamster keeper, Keila, joined us as well. In a different vehicle, our newer friends Keen Joseph and his best friend, Jasper, also drove to Baguio.
We left on the evening of September 13, aiming to reach Baguio in the early morning by the 14th. Our trip had its challenges: A car blocked the garage of Ayu’s parents, prompting her father to call the barangay and the police. We also had some tollgate problems along the way.
We finally arrived at Burnham parking at 4 AM and decided to rest for a while. We watched the sunrise and hung out at Burnham Park, breathing in the fresh Baguio breeze and appreciating the friends who had made time to join us that day.
After a short walk around the park, we visited the market at 7 AM to buy colorful rice, coffee, cheese bars, strawberry jam, ube jam, and other pasalubong.
Breakfast followed at 9 AM – shawarma rice and yogurt – before we headed to the competition proper, arriving at noon.
PREPARATIONS
The competition was held at Padre Burgos Basketball Gym. When our team arrived, organizer Jack Soriano, Jr. welcomed us with a smile. We quickly settled in, unpacking our things and setting up. We displayed sponsored copies of Animal Scene magazines and pet vitamins from Metro Manila that were to be given as prizes for the competition winners.
Jack and his team had the registration area ready for participants by 1 PM, along with an adorable lineup of sponsored Hamsters and Rabbits waiting to find their forever homes in the raffle.
PAGASPAS HAMSTER SHOW 2025
Over 40 Syrian Hamsters, all two months or older, filled the gym. Judging began with careful attention: Each little furball underwent a thorough check, from their button noses and rounded ears to their tiny tails, with even their teeth and nails inspected for imperfections and blemishes.
Hamsters with mites, other skin conditions, or any biting behavior were automatically disqualified from the championship round, though they remained eligible for special prizes.
Then came the championship round, where excitement peaked. Winners were determined based on five criteria: tameness (20%), body size of 5 inches and above (20%), body weight of 120 grams and above (20%), rarity of color (20%), and rarity of pattern (20%), totaling 100%. Each judge’s scores were averaged to select the top fur-babies in each category.
It was a long day, but every moment was brimming with joy. As judges, we had quite a hard time evaluating the competition, given the many wonderful Hamsters who participated in the show. We even enlisted the help of our friends Keen Joseph and Jasper to tabulate the scores while we continued judging the next batch of Hamsters.
KINGS AND QUEENS
Finally, when it was time to crown the first kings and queens of the PAGASPAS Hamster Show 2025 in Baguio City, excitement filled the gym, and cheers echoed all around.
We saw many Hamsters that day. From a gray-skirted black Hamster with a rugged noir look and energetic Hamsters who would tire and rest in our hands, to what is possibly the biggest and heaviest Hamster we have seen to date. They were all bustling little balls of love and energy that could make any heart melt.
We even met dwarf Hamsters who were so tame! Nearly all of the dwarf Hamsters we have met before were feisty and could even be aggressive. This bunch of cute sago pearls were friendly towards humans and their bigger Hamster cousins alike. Their owner must have been a very good-natured Hamster keeper. As one of our veterinarians once said, animal companions tend to imitate and acquire their guardian’s demeanor and behavior.
Watching these tiny creatures showered with love and care filled us with a quiet, heartwarming happiness. There’s something truly special about seeing Hamsters – so small and delicate – being adored and cherished. This is a reminder of why these shows are worth the time and travel.
SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks to Adrian Maurice “Maw” Juniosa for the photos taken at the PAGASPAS Hamster Show 2025 – Baguio City.
WINNERS
BEST FEMALE TEDDY BEAR HAMSTER (LONG-FURRED) CATEGORY
- Champion: Geofferd Catayao of Geo’s Hamstery (Dominant Spot Black Rex)
- 1st Runner-Up: Maureen Hiquiana (Satin Banded Yellow)
- 2nd Runner-Up: JJ Soriano of Stuart’s Hamstery (Dominant Spot Polywhite Rex)
BEST MALE TEDDY BEAR HAMSTER (LONG-FURRED) CATEGORY
- Champion: Angelo Espago of Gelem’s Mini Hamstery (Satin Solid Yellow)
- 1st Runner-Up: Maureen Hiquiana (Solid Yellow)
- 2nd Runner-Up: Angelo Ambrose of Domino’s Hamstery (Solid Yellow)
BEST FEMALE GOLDEN HAMSTER (SHORT-FURRED) CATEGORY
- Champion: JJ Soriano of Stuart’s Hamstery (Black Tortoiseshell Heavy Patch)
- 1st Runner-Up: Maureen Hiquiana (Solid Silver Grey)
- 2nd Runner-Up: Angelo Espago of Gelem’s Mini Hamstery (Banded Beige)
BEST MALE GOLDEN HAMSTER (SHORT-FURRED) CATEGORY
- Champion: JJ Soriano of Stuart’s Hamstery (Solid Yellow Black)
- 1st Runner-Up: Angelo Espago of Gelem’s Mini Hamstery (Dominant Spot Black)
- 2nd Runner-Up: Riann M. Wankey (Banded Choco)
SPECIAL AWARDS
- Best in Show: Over-All Champion: Geofferd Catayao of Geo’s Hamstery (Dominant Spot Black Rex)
- Best in Pattern: JJ Soriano of Stuart’s Hamstery (Black Tortoiseshell Heavy Patch)
- Most Tamed: Maureen Hiquiana (Solid Silver Grey)
- Judge’s Choice: Maureen Hiquiana (Solid Silver Grey)
