Written by: Emma

Edited by: Mattie

Visual by: Mr. McCarthy

Tigers. Dragons. Eagles. Panthers. When you hear about these mascots, you probably imagine strength, speed, and competition. But what comes to mind when you hear “Bearcat”? For many decades, ISM students were represented by a completely different mascot: the Indians. Today, we are known as the Bearcats. Changing the mascot solved one obvious problem, but the Bearcat may not have been the strongest replacement. Compared to the bold Tigers, Dragons, and Eagles that represent other IASAS schools, the Bearcat does not immediately convey the same sense of ferocity and competitiveness. So, how did a Bearcat become the symbol of our school?

When ISM left its former mascot behind, the Bearcat stepped in as our school’s new symbol. As an international school, however, ISM’s identity has always been shaped by the diverse cultures and backgrounds of its community. In 1961, our school was known as the American School and was located in  Bel-Air, Makati, with the Indians as its mascot.  The mascot was eventually changed because it was considered culturally insensitive. The term was historically used by non-Indigenous people to refer to Native Americans, and its use as a school mascot reduced diverse Indigenous cultures and identities to a single stereotype. This contention was not unique to ISM. In 2020, Washington’s NFL team retired its former name and logo after years of criticism and backlash over their offensiveness and disrespect toward Native Americans. ISM’s decision reflected a similar change toward the Bearcat mascot we know today. While changing the mascot addressed the problems associated with the Indians mascot, it left us with a different question: why a Bearcat?

The Bearcat was chosen as ISM’s mascot because it represents the Philippines and allows the school to take pride in its Filipino heritage and wildlife. A good mascot should represent a school’s spirit, culture, identity, and recognizability. The Bearcat is based on the binturong, also known as the Asian Bearcat, given that it is native to South and Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, it is also known as the Palawan binturong. This change marked a shift toward connecting ISM more closely with its host country while taking pride in our Filipino heritage and wildlife.  

Compared to other IASAS schools, ISM’s Bearcat stands out, not necessarily because it is the fiercest, but because it is one of the most unusual and culturally relevant mascots. While ISB and ISKL share the well-known Panther, SAS has the Eagle, TAS has the Tiger, and JIS has the Dragon, ISM has something quite different: the Bearcat feels quite different. Unlike these familiar symbols of power and speed, the binturong is a relatively obscure animal known primarily for its distinctive scent and slow, shuffling movements. That raises an interesting question: does being unusual make the Bearcat more memorable, or does it make the Bearcat seem less fitting for a competitive school? 

Despite its name, a bearcat is neither a bear nor a cat. According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, binturongs are primarily nocturnal and spend much of their time in trees, using their long, prehensile tails to help them move through the forest. They are also known for their distinctive smell, which has been compared to buttered popcorn. 

The Bearcat reflects ISM’s growing efforts to embrace its host country. From introducing a Filipino Language Program in ES to incorporating more Filipino colors and textures around campus, ISM is still finding more meaningful ways to celebrate Filipino culture. In that sense, perhaps the people who chose the Bearcat were ahead of their time.

The Bearcat has one major advantage: unlike a generic predator, it has a connection to the Philippines, where ISM is located. The binturong is part of the region’s wildlife, giving the mascot a cultural and geographic connection to ISM and adding local character. The Bearcat has sparked a range of opinions among ISM students and faculty. “I think the Bearcat is meaningful because of its connection to the Philippines, but it doesn’t really give me the same feeling of strength or competitiveness as other school mascots,” said Senna (10). Other students and faculty emphasized the Bearcat’s connection to the Philippines, noting that the animal is native to the country. When asked what comes to mind when she thinks of the ISM Bearcats, Joanna described them as “spirited, strong competitors, and always engaged in multiple activities.” Her description reflects how the Bearcats represent the energy and involvement of the ISM student body. At the same time, an anonymous member of the ISM alumni community who experienced the school when it was represented by the Indians felt strongly about the change, offering a different perspective on how the school’s identity has evolved.

So, did ISM get its mascot right the second time? The ISM Bearcat represents Filipino culture because it is inspired by the binturong, a species endemic to the Philippines and a unique part of the country’s natural heritage.  After considering these perspectives, I think the Bearcat represents ISM not because it is the fiercest mascot, but because it connects our school to the Philippines while reflecting the spirited, active students who make up our community.

 Although the Bearcat has meaningful cultural significance and connects ISM to the Philippines, it ultimately does not fully capture our school’s competitive, spirited identity.