THE YEAR THAT WAS

Bandera (January 3, 2006)
BATTLE ROYALE by Rolando S. Luzong


THE YEAR THAT WAS

2006 would go down in Philippine cockfighting history as the busiest year ever in terms of derbies held, both during the open season and the stag season. For one, it’s the only period when six international derbies were held, one at Roligon, two in San Juan, the two World Slasher Cup at the Big Dome and another in Cavite Coliseum. Not to mention the Candelaria derby in Iloilo, in which, despite not being an international event, was participated in by a considerable number of American gamefowl breeders.

It was also the year when the most active stag season was held, capped by the 1,273-entry 2006 Bakbakan National 9-Stag Derby which held provincial eliminations and for the first time regional semis with the championship staged at the Araneta Coliseum. For the first time in 6 years, the Mindanao Gamefowl Breeders Association entered the roster of champions thru the PT Paniki entry of the Tan Brothers of Davao. The Batangas Breeders Club also made its mark with the perfect performance of Jenjen Arayata thru his Super Miggy entry winning the finals with his signature bulik (doms).

Partners Bobby Doromal and Gene Garcia bagged five stag championships in a span of two months (September to November) topped by a share of the top honors in the 2006 Bakbakan.

The National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders ballooned from 11 to 18 member-associations.

Mariles Romulo – daughter of Gen. Carlos P. Romulo and mother of distinguished cocker-breeder Mike Romulo passed away. Mariles was the publisher of the highly-acclaimed cockfighting book Tahor.

Mang Carding Ng of Calooocan, known for his CMS entry and one of Manila’s most active derby fighter died, while, cocker-politician Cong. Chito Bersamin of Abra was assassinated before Christmas.

A new sabong and gamefowl breeding tv program Hataw Pinoy was launched and immediately stirred the cocking populace. The new show is aired every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. via IBC – 13.


SALAMAT BIGBA

Pumasyal ang ang Team Hataw Pinoy sa Bicol bago magbagong taon (Disyembre 29-31) para makapanayam ang mga kasapi ng Bicol Gamefowl Breeders Association at makita first hand ang pagbibigay tulong ng nasabing grupo sa nga nasalanta ng sunod-sunod na bagyong Milenyo, Reming at Senyang sa Camarines Sur at Albay.

Nakakaawa po ang kalagayan ng mga kababayan natin sa Bicol, patikular ang mga taga-Albay. Kung nababagabag po kayo sa mga napapanood ninyo sa telebisyon, mas kikilabutan po kayo kung makikita ninyo rin ng personal ang mga naksaksihan namin. Hindi lamang po bahay ang inanod ng baha kundi pati ang lupang kinatatayuan ng mga bahay kaya wala na talagang mababalikan ang mga pamilyang sa kasalukuyan ay nasa mga evacuation centers pa.

Salamat sa mga umalalay sa amin na sina John Liao – BIGBA President; si Boy Salire, Boy Magno, Val Lopez, Boyet Samson, Bong Aspe, July Sy, Father Greg Nuñez, Jr. at sa lahat ng bumubuo ng BIGBA…MABUHAY KAYO SA INYONG GINAGAWANG PAGTULONG SA INYONG MA KABABAYAN.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone especially to my wife Mila, my daughters Lora & Bam and my sons RJ & Kyle.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY last December 31 to Direk Ed Bulaong of Hataw Pinoy. Mabuhay ka Direk from Francis Afable, Havy Bagatsing, Princess Naldo and me.