THUNDERBIRD – Keeping the Gamefowl Industry Healthy

Almost twenty years ago, Thunderbird set itself on a course never been traveled by any other company.

Propelled by a vision of a promising gamefowl industry that’s waiting to be developed and armed with a sabungero’s dedication to his rooster and his burning passion to win, Thunderbird pursued the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

With a strong faith in its mission, Thunderbird generously provided back to Philippine cockfighting and the local gamefowl breeding sector the technology, training and inspiration to grow.

Through Thunderbird’s bold marketing campaigns, the sabungero was prouder and his determination to excel, greater. Moreover, the enormous motivation brought about sustained monumental growth in the Sport and Industry leading to how they are today.

The question of which came first, the hen or the egg, may be left unanswered, but, Thunderbird will always be the company built by the industry that it proudly nourished and it vows to keep healthy.

AROUND THE WORLD WITH CHCIKENS

Around the World with Chickens
by Alejandro Clemente

Observing that many of our students go through general education without soiling their hands or handling animals, I thought of a scheme wherein students can be exposed more to animals. Why not let school children raise different chickens in the school, I thought.
Not only will they be able to take care of living things. They will also help preserve the breeds of native chickens that are slowly disappearing due to adulteration by foreign meat and egg type chickens that are favored by large poultry operators.

That suggestion was made in 1994. The high school in Central Luzon State University adopted the scheme and has now come out with a good collection of native chickens. I do not know how many schools have followed suit. On my part, I put the money where my mouth is, so to speak, and started collecting chickens.

For some reason, word spread out that I like chicken. The next thing I know, some congressmen whom I have helped with their requests were sending me chickens.

English sailors sailed the seas with their Old English chicken. As Irishmen found a new home in America, they also brought along their cocks. Towards the South of the United States, settlers there got Spanish breeds from Cuba and Mexico. From 1842 onwards, the Americans imported Sumatras and Asils. In 1887, Dr. H. P. Clarke of Indianapolis, Indiana crossed Asils with the old English fowls and came out with an American fighting cock that is better known today as Roundhead.

Chickens in Canada were brought in by French settlers in the French side of Canada. Otherwise, most of the chickens in English-speaking Canada came from the United States.

The chickens of South America came mainly from Spain. There were basically two drop points, Mexico for north of Latin America, and Peru for the south. Central American countries like Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama got their chickens from Mexico. So did countries like Venezuela and Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay got their chickens from Peru. Argentina and Cuba had the benefit of direct importation from Spain.

Brazil, a Portuguese colony, not only received Spanish fowls but also chickens from Indonesia, India and Madagascar that were brought in by Portuguese sailors. The Dutch, which colonized Indonesia, also brought Indonesian, Malaysian and Indian chickens to Dutch colonies in Latin America, dropping some of the chickens along the way in Madagascar. No wonder, the Malay gamecock, known as Asil in India and Shamo in Japan, is found and bred in many Latin American countries even up to this day.

From the mid-1800s onwards, Latin America had an influx of Americans and Europeans and these people introduced their own chickens.

If Europe is the source of most of the chickens in the new world of South and North America, where did the European chickens came from? They were not natives to Europe. It is believed that most of the European chickens found their way from the Middle East. From there, Phoenicians, people who occupied a 240 km coastal strip in Palestine and good seafarers and traders who plied the seas even as far as China, brought the chickens to Western Europe. As for chickens in Russia, they came overland from China.

Within Europe, Romans, who conquered most of Europe, also brought along Italian chickens. These were still the same Bankiva pheasant type chickens from Persia.

Where did the Persians got their chicken? They got most of them from India.- both the Bankivoid and Malayoid types.

There is a belief that the Asils found in India may have come from Burma and Thailand. Some also came from Singapore. And when we talk of Singapore some may have come from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Black fighting cocks with black tongue, feather, skin and even blood come as different breeds known as Black Arabian, Black Egyptian, Black Mallorca, Black Mozambique, Black Persian, Black Tanagra, Black Tartentum and Black Tassel. All these could have originated from the Black Java and Black Sumatra of Indonesia.

The Philippines seems to be a paradise of chickens as most of the ancient and basic breeds from Bankivas, Varius, to Malays have been here right from the start. I had to bring in Malays from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, not to mention Sumatras only to discover that these chickens are found in abundance in Sulo, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Cotabato and Lanao. In a manner of reserve cock-drain, the breeds perfected in Spain and America out of the basic breeds found in the Philippines were introduced back to the Philippines by the Spanish and American colonizers.

All this time, we have been sitting on a goldmine as we have the basic ingredients to concoct and come out with our own breeds, whether for game or barndoor fowls. It is a pity we never worked systematically on mixing these ingredients. Instead, we depended more on importing new breeds.

"PRINSIPE NG SABONG"

MY FRIENDS, A MOVIE WITH A COCKFIGHTING THEME "PRINSIPE NG SABONG" WILL BE SHOWN AT WORLD-FEST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. WE NEED TO SUPPORT THIS. PLEASE HAVE TIME TO WATCH OR CONTACT FRIENDS AND RELATIVES LIVING IN AND AROUND HOUSTON TO WATCH THIS MOVIE. THANK YOU

Hi Lando,

Thanks again, I really appreciate your offer to help us promote our movie “Prince of Cockfighting”. We have the same goal… to promote to the world our beloved sports of cockfighting. This is the reason that on our very first movie venture the theme is about cockfighting in general.

Because my wife --- Armie Fernandez-Monton knows that I love cockfighting so much, she personally wrote the story of the movie for me. The name of our production company is “When Armie met Monty Productions, Inc” and it was only established last December 2008.

The website of the movie is currently under construction; it is expected to be finished next week. I will forward to you the link once completed. For the mean time here synopsis of the movie:

SYNOPSIS:

It’s a story about the search for Prinsipe Sabong.
The best gamecock that beat Joey’s 12-time Champion cock.

He went back home to look for it.
But Joey found Love instead.

Love of his father.
Love of his brother.
Love of his adoptive siblings…

But the forbidden love of a woman
prompted him to leave his home once again.

So when he finally found Prinsipe Sabong,
The search ended. But not the quest.

For your info… "Prince of Cockfighting" was chosen as one of the finalist among thousands of film entries in this year World-Fest International Film Festival in Houston, Texas and we were invited to attend the Awards Night on the 3^rd week of April.

“Prince of Cockfighting” is scheduled to be shown for the 1st time in its world premier at the World-Fest week-long program on April 22 at 9pm in Houston. We will send our director Yeng Grande to Houston to represent the movie in the Awards Night.

Your column will be a big help to promote and invite our fellow Filipinos in the Houston area to come and watch the Prince of Cockfighting world premier.

Only 3 movies from Asia made it to the finals of the film fest.

1. Prince of Cockfighting - Director: Yeng Grande - Philippines

2. Air - Director: Ryotaro Muramatsu - JAPAN

3. Lahore - Director: Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan - INDIA

By the way, if you have friends living in the Texas area please invite them to watch it.

It will be shown on April 22 at 9pm at the 42^nd WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival,

Address: The AMC Studio 30 at Dunvale – 2 miles west of The Galleria.

For ticket reservations and address of the Festival, here is the link:

http://www.worldfest.org/indexb.html

We are number 44 in alphabetical order in the Featured Film Finalist.

Regards,

Edwin

TJT COCKING ACADEMY BATCH 38 CUTTING THUNDER

"Cutting Thunder" BATCH 38: Isaac Leonard, Joey Magundayao, Ronald Zubiri, Joel Galan, Randy Villanueva, Bencio Salvador, Jecris Seratubias, Arvin Levina, Troy Cruz, Diosdado Cuaresma, Allan Morga, Engr. Joel Arreza, Dennis Lazaga, Ryan Brabante, Rexan Parreno, Benjamin Fernandez, Joey Baco, Kevin Ilagan, Alexander Llanes, Norberto Fernandez, Renato Catindoy, Dondi Divina, Fernandie Pacheco, Erwin Arnaiz with TJT Cocking Academy instructors Arwyn Garcia, Jun Jamandores, Doc Teddy Tanchanco and guests, Mr. Boy Vargas and Doc Laurence Agnes (Thunderbird Representative).

BULLANG BULLANG 2009

Guaranteed Cash Prize - P6 Million

Entry Fee P11,000 Minimum Bet P 5,500

CHAMPION P 2,500,000
ANY 7 POINTS P800,000 HANDLER P 150,000
ANY 6 POINTS P1,500,000 GAFFER P 50,000
ANY 4 POINTS IN ELIMINATION ROUND P1,000,000

Format : 4 Bullstags for Elimination/ 4 Bullstags for Final.

APRIL 15 Gallera De Legaspi
APRIL 17 Romeo G Guanzon & Sports
APRIL 18 The Octogon, Butuuan
APRIL 18 New Alkor Koronadel
APRIL 18 Vargas Coll, Tuguegarao
APRIL 18 San Vincente Ilocos
APRIL 18 San Juan Gym, San Juan LaUnion
APRIL 21 Daang Hari, Imus Cavite
APRIL 23 Pasig Square Garden
APRIL 23 Gallera De Matina, Davao City
APRIL 24 Lipa Games, Batangas
APRIL 24 Talisay Cockpit, Cebu
APRIL 25 Batac Cockpit,Batac City
APRIL 25 Lucky Sports, San Pablo City
APRIL 25 Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan
APRIL 25 Zamboanga Square Garden
APRIL 27 Pampanga Col
APRIL 29 Iloilo Col
APRIL 29 San Manual, Isabela
APRIL 29 NATIONAL ELIM MAKATI
MAY 1 NATIONAL ELIM PASAY
MAY 2 NATIONAL ELIM MAKATI
------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINALS 2, 2.5 and 3 POINTS
APRIL 25 GALLERA DE MATINA DAVOA
APRIL 30 LIPA GAMES BATANGAS
MAY 5 ARANETA
MAY 6 TALISAY , CEBU CITY
MAY 7 ARANETA - GRAND FINAL – 3.5 AND 4 POINTS - ARANETA

Local Eliminations entries are allowed to use Local Associations Banded Stags.
FINAL BAKBAKAN NFGB BANDED ONLY

JOHNNY JALANDONI : THE CANDELARIA KING

ROLANDO LUZONG - MARCH 2008

JOHNNY JALANDONI : CANDELARIA KING

For many gamefowl breeders and cockers, winning the Annual Candelaria Derby in Iloilo has been a lifelong dream. The event which is held every last week of January or first week of February is regarded to be in the same level as the World Slasher Cup when it comes to grandeur, toughness of competition, prestige and the list of cocking personalities from here and abroad that take part in it.

While, it is almost highly improbable from some to win a Candelaria championship trophy, Johnny Jalandoni did it twice.

It was in 2001 when Jalandoni grabbed his first Candelaria sharing it with thre other top scorers. Then, after just seven years, he did it again, this time in solo fashion.

The last Candelaria 7-Cock Derby registered 168 entries, the biggest ever which makes Johnny’s victory doubly significant.

The repeat triumph would not be possible without the contribution of Lando Layson and the lucky charm of Layson’s friend Heidi from whom their winning entry name Panga was dedicated.

Panga virtually passed through the eye of a needle with the tough opponents it was matched with, on its way to making cockfighting history.

The first match was against Mario Siochi, the second versus Pol Dominguez, while in the other fights his birds were pitted to the roosters of Gov. Joel Reyes of Palawan, Dr. Orduyo and Boy Ledesma.

BLOODLINE

Johnny’s Lemon, Kelso, Hatch, Roudhead and Butcher lines are proven in producing the winning crosses that have brought him numerous championships such as his solo conquest of the Panay Gamefowl Breeders Association’s 7-Stag Derby some 4 or 5 years ago.

In his first fight, he fought a Grey cock, while in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th he fielded full brothers, the cousins of them in the remaining matches.


FRIENDS ALONG THE WAY

“Of course I would like to think my uncle Nonoy Jalandoni who set me off to breeding at the start and Gov. D. O. Plaza who generously provided me breeding stocks after he notice that I have to infuse new lines to make my birds taller”, Johnny revealed.

“Saito (Japanese Ryoichi Saito) was for a long time a good friend and a loyal customer, while Jun Santiago have always helped him every time he would fight in Manila and has given him ample exposure in Metro Manila pits.

SIMPLE AND MODEST

Despite the victories, Johnny has remained modest and down-to-earth. He credits his farm manager Felipe, who has loyally stayed in his farm in Bgy. Tuburan, Bago City for the past 34 years and helped him raised the fine roosters that have given satisfaction to his customers.

THE FUTURE

“I would like to win a World Slasher Cup, but, maybe it had to wait because my priority now is to defend my Candelaria title”, Johnny announced.



NOTE : Johnny almost did it again last January 2009, but fell just a half point short of winning his third Candelaria.

RCA GRAND OPENING DERBY SET

A new cockers club has been formed at the Roligon Mega Cockpit, called the Roligon Cockers Association which is composed of cockfighters from Paranaque, Pasay, Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Makati, Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan.

THUNDERBIRD GAMEFOWL JOURNAL : FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009; PAGES 1, 2, 3 & 4

THUNDERBIRD GAMEFOWL JOURNAL : FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009; PAGES 5, 6, 7 & 8

THUNDERBIRD GAMEFOWL JOURNAL : FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009; PAGES 9, 10, 11 & 12

THUNDERBIRD GAMEFOWL JOURNAL : FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 PAGES 13, 14, 15 & 16

JAMES "JAMUL" FERRER WINS DAANG-HARI DERBY

100 FIGHTS IN SJC'S SUPER ANGELS DERBY TODAY

The "Super Angels 4-Cock Derby" woth more than 100 quality fights on tap, kicks off today at San JuAn Coliseum.

No less than P500,000 in guaranteed prize awaits the champion, according to host Minda Arroyo of the SJC Group.

Leading the competitors are Mayor Dennis Pineda, Popoy Taruc of Nueva Ecija, Raymond Velayo, Allen dela Cruz, Mayor Roy Panganiban, LB Candelaria, Henry Cappuchino, Butchoy Olano, Eric dela Rosa, Mayor Buddy Dunca, Ador Pleyto of Bulacan and Danny Soriano.

100 SULTADA SA SJC COCKFEST

REMATE - Marso 11, 2009

Pambato ng San Juan ang mahigit 100 sultada ngayon sa isa pang malupit na banatan ng mga bigtime cockers, ang "Super Angels 4-Cock Derby".

Bandang alas-dos ng hapon mag-uumpisa ang labanan sa kampeonato at sa premyong P500,000 sa pasabong na ito ni Minda Gater Amoyo.

Nangunguna sa mag kasali sina Mayor Dennis Ineda, Popoy Taruc ng Nueva Ecija, Raymond Velayo, Allen dela Cruz, Mayor Panganiban, EB Candelaria, Atty. Henry Capuucchino, Mayor Buddy Dunca, Ador Pelayo ng Bulacan, Danny Soriano, T. Haruta at iba pa.

Nitong Lunes, naghati sa kampeonato ng "2nd SJC Circuit 6-Cock Derby" sina Tony Tan (Swing fatman All-Satrs W) at Oca Domingo (MCCSA Santiago) ng magtalo ng 5-1 (panalo-talo) kartada

Samantala, nakalinya naman sa Sabadfo, Marso 14 ang "Allen David 5-Cock Derby" kung saan pawang mga bigtime cockers dfin ang kasali.

Sunsundan ito ng "Klub Don Jaun Anniversary 6-Cock Derby" sa Marrso 16, 18 & 21. Para sa mga katanungan : 725-5369 at 725-6563.

100 FIGHTS SJC COCKFEST

The "Super Angels 4-Cock Derby" woth more than 100 quality fights on tap, kicks off today at San Jaun Coliseum.

No less than P500,000 in guaranteed prize awaits the champion, according to host Minda Arroyo of the SJC Group.

Leading the competitors are Mayor Dennis Pineda, Popoy Taruc of Nueva Ecija, Raymond Velayo, Allen dela Cruz, Mayor Roy Panganiban, LB Candelaria, Henry Cappuchino, Butchoy Olano, Eric dela Rosa, Mayor Buddy Dunca, Ador Pleyto of Bulacan and Danny Soriano among others.

Last Monday, two participants topped the "2nd SJC Circuit 6-Cock Derby : Tony tan (Swing fatman All-Stars W) and Oca Domingo (MCCSA Santiago) who posted five wins and one loss each.

Meanhile, the "Allen David 5-Cock Derby" follows next on Saturday, March 14. The "Klub Don Juan Anniversary 6-Cock Derby" is set March 16, 18 & 21.

For details, 725-5369 and 725-6563 (look for Ariel or Maricar)

100 SULATADA NGAYON SA SJC COCKFEST NGAYON

Pambato ng San Juan ang mahigit 100 sultada ngayon sa isa pang malupit na banatan ng mga bigtime cockers, ang "Super Angels 4-Cock Derby".

Bandang alas-dos ng hapon mag-uumpisa ang labanan sa kampeonato at sa premyong P500,000 sa pasabong na ito ni Minda Gater Amoyo.

Nangunguna sa mag kasali sina Mayor Dennis Ineda, Popoy Taruc ng Nueva Ecija, Raymond Velayo, Allen dela Cruz, Mayor Panganiban, EB Candelaria, Atty. Henry Capuucchino, Mayor Buddy Dunca, Ador Pelayo ng Bulacan, Danny Soriano, T. Haruta at iba pa.

Nitong Lunes, naghati sa kampeonato ng "2nd SJC Circuit 6-Cock Derby" sina Tony Tan (Swing fatman All-Satrs W) at Oca Domingo (MCCSA Santiago) ng magtalo ng 5-1 (panalo-talo) kartada

"SABUNGERO" - sabong movie in the making

JOEL TORRE - lead actor of the movie "Sabungero" displays his rooster handling ability during one of the scene-filming schedule.

SABONG : Pamana ng Lahing Pinoy