(Culinary icon Margarita Fores, who helped redefine the food and gastronomic landscape of the Philippines, passed away yesterday, Feb. 11, 2025. The country mourns her death. From our archives is this story that gives yet another facet to the remarkable character of this woman.)
Pino, a stray cat adopted by restaurateur Margarita “Gaita” Forés, was found dead one morning in her backyard. He was frothing at the mouth, and blood was spilling from his guts. The cause of death was unknown, although the main theory is that he died from poisoning. The cat was probably bitten by a snake, many of which could be found in the Makati subdivision where she lives.
Pino was the brother of Grigio, who was likewise found in the Subic residence of Maria “Baby” Araneta Forés, the chef’s mother. The cat was buried at Forés’ home. With Pino’s passing, her litter of rescued cats is down to 16.
Aside from promoting Italian cuisine and heritage Filipino recipes and products, she envisions a world where cats can co-exist with humans in their communities.
Forés cultivated her fondness for cats when she moved to Makati in 2006. Two black cats from the empty lot beside her house kept visiting her premises. Dismissing the local superstition that black cats are a bad omen, she accepted them for their friendliness and named them after Chinese emperors Ming and Pui. She adds that she favors the elegance of black.
“I was never a pet person, but I fell in love with the cats’ personalities,” she says. “They are not needy like dogs, and are self-sufficient. They are also clean and don’t smell like dogs. If you bring them to the litter box, they do their thing quickly. They poo and pee at a regular time.”
Eventually, her litter of fur babies grew. Every time she salvaged a cat, it was brought to the veterinarian for spaying, the removal of the reproductive organs of the female cat to eliminate the heat cycle or ovulation. On the other hand, neutering, the removal of the testicles of the male cats, keeps them from roaming around. Spaying and neutering lower the risk of cancer in cats.
She notes that the attractive cats were found in the Greenbelt garden. The animal welfare group Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA) has been taking care of a huge community in Greenbelt to keep them away from the Makati pound.
‘I fell in love with the cats’ personalities,’ she says. ‘They are not needy like dogs, and are self-sufficient’
Some of the cats would sit on the velvety couches of Forés restaurant, Lusso at Greenbelt 5, or on the steps of the Ayala Museum. She adopted three which have been named by Greenbelt habitués—Goldie, Orangina, and Carlos. “They are the queens, as the most beautiful cats,” she says. Carlos has a burn around one eye; when cats are near food kiosks or kitchens, workers would throw hot water or oil to keep them at bay.
Fores with Carlos, who had a burn, when discovered at Greenbelt
Forés also found a cat in her other restaurant, Grace Park at One Rockwell, and named it Gracita. Amano was named after her son’s Italian restaurant at PowerPlant mall, where he was discovered.
Also a cat lover, chef Miko Calo of Metronome offered two kittens from the restaurant. When Forés’ helpers started bottle feeding them like babies, she immediately felt in love with them and named them Moules and Frites (both silent “s” in French) after the mussels and French fries dish.
Fores with Frites from Metronome
Nero, a black kitten, was discovered in Greenhills. Aura was rescued by her sister Bledes and her son Amado when the cat was dodging cars at SM Aura. Another cat was found on the bumper of Bledes’ car on the way to Terry’s Delicatessen. It was named after the place. “We name them based on where they came from,” says Forés.
During the Christmas season, a kitten was heard crying near the creek of her village. The gardener picked up the fragile animal, who was named Christoph.
Forés also has Gattina, given as a memento from former Italian ambassador Giorgio Guilgelmino. “People offer cats with breeds for fostering, but I prefer stray cats. There are so many of them, and it would be nice to give them a home,” she says.
At Palacio de Memoria, where she handles The Loggia’s food services, a stray cat was found to have ingested poison. The animal was immediately brought to a veterinarian and was saved. It was named Meme. “In the communities where we work, we help the cats, and it brings good blessings,” she says.
Araneta City, the district developed by her family in Cubao, has been the biggest service venue. She works with CARA, which raises funds for the cats’ food supplies, caretaker and veterinarian fees, and spaying and neutering and medical fees for the older cats. The group would look for people to adopt these rescued cats. Since 2017, Forés and broadcaster Korina Sanchez have been organizing the spaying, neutering, and feeding programs at Farmer’s Market and in other parts of the center. They set up a place for the vets to perform the procedures on the cats.
“We wanted to espouse CARA’s policy that you can create a sustainable community for the cats,” Forés says. “Cats will no longer be a nuisance after spaying and neutering. They are calmer and are easily trained. The stall owners at Farmer’s Market own pets. The cats guard against rodents. People love seeing the cats. They came in many colors.”
When her helpers started bottle feeding two kittens like babies, she immediately felt in love with them and named them Moules and Frites
Outside of Cubao, Forés donates cat food for the litters in her subdivision and at the Loyola Memorial Park, where her father is buried.
“I find cats everywhere. I want to help them become part of the community and not be seen as pests,” Forés explains her vision. “They are kind, caring, and exude a special energy. I like having them around. When I network with cat lovers, I learn that they look after them out of love for animals. In my village, someone feeds the community cats. Some malls have made an effort to make cats part of the community by keeping them safe. It’s a new way of looking at them.”
At home, Forés feeds the cats with boiled chicken and wet and dry cat food. She alternates with imported and the country’s first local wet food for cats, called Goodest, by Century Pacific Food Inc. Varying the foods protects the cat from potential allergens.
As an empty nester, she doesn’t feel lonely. “The cats take turns sleeping with me. They are calming, loving, and are not needy as dogs. They show their affection by rubbing against your legs or nuzzling their faces on your face. I have two cats that massage my legs or tummy,” she says.
This year, Forés remains committed to supporting CARA, the spay and neuter program in Araneta City, and some vigilant cat rescuers. Her unconditional help brings blessings in return.
Fores’ litter
