MANILA, Philippines — Chuchu, the viral cat behind the popular TikTok “Sundo Serye,” has died, leaving his fur dad and thousands of followers mourning.
His owner, Mark Anthony Petalbo Borcelo, announced Chuchu’s death in an emotional Facebook post on Tuesday, describing the cat as his “biggest heartbreak.” “My handsome baby boy, my biggest heartbreak,” Borcelo wrote. “I wish I could have kept you forever. Thank you for choosing me to be your fur dad.” Borcelo also shared that Chuchu was no longer in pain.
“‘You’re no longer in pain,’ he wrote, adding that he would wait for Chuchu and, someday, personally come to bring him home again.”
“Come back, okay? Papa will wait for you, no matter how long it takes. Don’t be stubborn over there; I’ll personally come and get you. I may not be a perfect fur dad, but I love you so much,” Borcelo said.
In a TikTok post, Borcelo revealed that Chuchu had been in and out of a veterinary hospital since the previous week because of complications involving his urinary system.
Chuchu rose to online fame through Borcelo’s “Sundo Serye,” which showed him going out to fetch the cat after it wandered around the area outside their condominium.
The cat became known for his free-spirited personality. Instead of immediately going home, Chuchu would often take his time, stretching, grooming himself or simply enjoying his surroundings while his fur dad waited to take him home.
Chuchu’s dedicated TikTok account has more than 218,000 followers and over 15 million likes.
His death on Sept. 22 prompted an outpouring of grief from followers who had watched his adventures through the “Sundo Serye.” In his tribute, Borcelo bid farewell to his beloved pet.
“Today, we say goodbye to Chu Chu Pogi, the Internet’s favorite free-spirited cat, whose tiny paws left the biggest footprints in the hearts of everyone who loved him,” he wrote.
“Run free across the rainbow bridge, sweet boy. You will always be loved, deeply missed and never forgotten.”