This is the heartwarming moment a schoolboy cried tears of joy upon seeing his family's new pet cat.

Ryle Ethan Villasana was devastated when their family moggy died last year due to a disease in Bulacan province, the Philippines.

For his birthday, his parents surprised him with a Persian-breed feline, which he received when he returned from school.

Footage shows Ryle Ethan greeting his parents and bursting into tears when a seven-month-old big-boned Persian named Pepper was presented to him on July 29.

He smiled wide at first sight of Pepper but shifted emotions when he realised he would finally have a new pet buddy at home.

His mum Maria Carmela said: 'Our old cat had a urinary tract infection and died. He was so sad when it happened. He had been crying over it because he missed it so much.

'He is a cat lover, and we are happy to have raised an affectionate child. So we decided to give him a new pet for his birthday.'