Askal

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Askals, also called aspins, are a diverse population of mongrel free-ranging dogs found in the Philippines. The term "askal" is a portmanteau from the Filipino language asong kalye, meaning "street dog". It is a neologism, commonly used as a derogatory term for describing stray or mixed-breed dogs that roam the streets of urban and rural areas across the country. It is considered to reflect class discrimination in the country, particularly towards indigenous elements. The euphemism "aspin" is a portmanteau of asong Pinoy, meaning "Filipino dog". The origins of askals can be traced back to two main categories. Firstly, some askals are entirely descended from indigenous dog breeds that have evolved over time in the Philippines. Secondly, it is believed that dogs were introduced into the country from Mainland Asia, via Taiwan. Excavation sites reveal that dogs served two main purposes: consumption and companionship. Tagalogs, along with other ethnolinguistic groups like the Kalinga and Bontoc...

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