BAKBAKAN 2009 : THE DIE IS CAST

CARREO by Rolando S. Luzong

Peoples Tonight (November 29, 2009)

Bakbakan 2009 : The Die is Cast

After 55 provincial elimination events that started in October 10 adding up to a record-breaking 2,413 entries and 18 separate regional semis contests held all over the country, the die is cast with the roster of grand finalists that will compete for the championship on Thursday, December 3.

Only the undefeated entries, those that after 6 matches (3 in the elims & 3 in the semis) have won all their matches or won five and drew one.

These grand finals event at the historic Big Dome will finally decide who will rule this year’s Bakbakan – now regarded as the biggest cockfighting event worldwide.

There’s a total of 53 championship hopefuls that will try to wrestle the crown from defending 2008 Bakbakan champions John Daguio of the United Ilocandia Gamefowl Breeders Association and Jun Pe of the Zamboanga Gamefowl Breeders Association, who both scored 10-0 win-loss cards last year to share the Bakbakan 2008 title.

LIST OF GRAND FINALISTS :

The 20 5.5-pointers include the following entries : GRND HB STAR (R.Daigo & Dr. Ronnie Magbalon – RGBA) ; JM/Jeth RSJ (Teodulo Martinez – RGBA); Keyang 2 (Mel Lim); GSB Eve Farm (Mayor Raspado – Isabela); Amo Na Ni (Ramon Mansenares); GAE Bagwis (Engr Neo Andal – BBC); Kingfisher (E.Tagle/Gen. Marino Filart); Iron Eagle (Boy Ledesma/Engr Posadas); Hero 2 and Hero 3 (Joseph Pua); Sinbad OTBT Mag Iriga City (BIGBA President Bong Gazmen); Matador (Aldo Dagoc); Bacolor Cockpit Fantastik (Jun Yap); BDC Flybird (Bryan Dela Cruz – UNIGBA); Goldvives & DVH (Danilo Hinlo/Mario Golingan); Mariza GCT (Dennis Luzuriaga); Puerto Princesa (Rolly/Paeng Banzuela – Palawan); MTB RS Organic 3 LDA (Benyong Lastimado – CVBA); Hoosier Cut 1 (Troy Bustalino – CVBA) and EDL 3 (Mayor Ed Lumayag – SGBA).

The 33 6-pointers include Thunderbird endorsers Honey Yu (Honey 111) and newspaper executive Rey Briones (Spartans Catmon 88) of Masbate who is fighting under the Rizal Gamefowl Breeders’ Association’s banner. Also in the list are Big Boys 2 (Omar Alivia –CVGBA); Skyhawk (Vice Gov Odi Fausto – CVGBA) RBR (Danny Cruz & Charlie Carlos - RGBA); Crocodile Creek Gamefarm 7 (Cong. Rudy Albano); JMB Farm KH (Dennis Buison -RGBA); RATZ (Gen. Rey Acop & Gen. Twiggy Zubia – RGBA); Rudwin Habagat (Atty.Darwin Asuncion - RGBA); Red Lady (Gov.Ed Ong of Aurora & Ed Fontanilla – RGBA); Malitbog Birds (Jose Ma. Escano); Happy Bday Nanay Bibang (Engr. Corsiga); Biboy Barcelona (Engr. Nonoy Baje – Cebu); RR-BCL (Benny Lim); Healthy Boy (Vince Del Mar – Cebu); Patapon 2 (Vice Gov. Joel Baac – Kalinga); JZB-M (Jun Berberabe – Batangas); Bluewave (Edwin Ronquillo); Woodberry (Engr. Elmer Malabanan); NML San Luis (Tony Lasala - BBC); RDA Farm 2 (Rene Adao); Red Montero (Tony Sy); Intruder (Al Bucu); GBAT II - (Ian Maniquis/Allan Cura/Allan Chan); Team ED Farm (Edwin Corpuz/Manny Ferrer/J.Daguio/Jay-R); JamJam (Jn,Jed & Jay Nalupta - UNIGBA); KC Winslet (Bobot Chua); Yarda Agdahon 1 (M.Panes/M.Panizales); Sitio Taruc (Ricardo Palmares Jr /Jesry Palmares - PAGBA); Matthew 1 (Jan Jan Reyes); Scorpion Peak (Vic Setias – Palawan); Super A Nikki (Arthur Bona – CVBA) and Scout Ranger PLG – Simon Rallos of CVBA.

NFGB LOUNGE

Everyone set to watch the hostilities at the Araneta Coliseum on December 1 & 3 should drop by the NFGB Lounge that had been set up on the right side upon entering the Bgi Dome the Red Gate.

Officers of the NFGB, including the Presidents of all the associations affiliated with the NFGB will be on hand to answer queries of all those planning to fight in the Bakbakan next year.

Among the NFGB personalities set to grace the event are Sonny Lagon, Ricoy Palmares, Pol Estrellado, Jesry Palmares, Rey Briones, Pao Malvar, Fred Katigbak, Joey Sy, Arnel Añonuevo, Freddie Yulo, Al Garcia, Dr. Gil Sanding, Nitoy Nasser, Victor Sierra, Baba Yap, Vice Gov. Odie Fausto, Baham Mitra, Boy Lechon, Honey Yu, Teng Rañola, Manny Dalipe, Mayor Jess Nalupta, Jess Beltran, Jun Radasa, Bong Gazmen, Engr. Moises Almuete and many others.

“Fastest Win” vs. “Fastest Kill”

I am watching the San Juan Coliseum Fights at the Solar Sports channel while writing this column and I had to stop as I counted how many times the word “kill” was mentioned when announcements about the fastest kill prizes for the ongoing Rambulan was being announce.

Like what I have written so many times, it should not be “FASTEST KILL”, because the right term should be “FASTEST WIN”.

Not only that “FASTEST WIN” is kinder to hear, but because “FASTEST WIN” is the appropriate term.

In cockfighting rules, a rooster will be declared the winner if he is able to peck his opponent twice and the opponent not bale to peck back after being give three chances to do so.

There are so many occasions when a winner was able to peck twice, but died after that. And there are also roosters that loses the fight after not being able to retaliate, but are still alive.

When “FASTEST KILL” is being mentioned so many times in succession, it already sounds like kill, kill, kill.

BAKBAKAN 2009 GRAND FINALISTS - 6 POINTERS

		Entry Names		Entry Owners
1		BIGBOYS 2		Omar Alivia		CVGBA
2		Skyhawk		Vice Gov Odi Fausto		CVGBA
3		RBR		Danny Cruz & Charlie Carlos - RGBA		ARANETA 19
4		Crocodile Creek Gamefarm 7		Cong Albano		ARANETA 19
5		JMB Farm KH		Dennis Buison - RGBA		ARANETA 19
6		Honey 111		Honey Yu - RGBA		ARANETA 19
7		RATZ		Gen.Rey Acop & Gen. Twiggy Zuvia - RGBA		ARANETA 17
8		Rudwin Habagat		Atty.Darwin Asuncion - RGBA		ARANETA 17
9		Red Lady		Gov.Ed Ong & Ed Fontanilla - RGBA		ARANETA 17
10		Spartans Catmon 88		Rey Briones - RGBA		ARANETA 17
11		Malitbog Birds		Jose Ma. Escano		New Talisay Nov 18
12		Happy Bday Nanay Bibang		Engr Corsiga		New Talisay Nov 18
13		Biboy Barcelona		Engr Nonoy Baje		New Talisay Nov 18
14		RR-BCL		Benny Lim		New Talisay Nov 18
15		Healthy Boy		Vince Del Mar		New Talisay Nov 18
16		JB Patapon 2		Vice Gov Joel Baac		San Manuel Isabela
17		JZB-M		Jun Berberabe		Lipa Games
18		Bluewave		Edwin Ronquillo		Lipa Games
19		Woodberry		Engr Elmer Malabanan		Lipa Games
20		NML San Luis		Tony Lasala		Lipa Games
21		RDA Farm 2		Rene Adao		Lipa Games
22		Red Montero		Tony Sy		Pasay Cockpit nov 20
23		Intruder		Al Bucu		Matina Gallera
24		GBAT II		Ian Maniquis/Allan Cura/Allan Chan		Bacolor Cockpit
25		Team ED Farm		Edwin Corpuz/Manny Ferrer/J.Daguio/Jay-R		Batac Cockpit
26		JamJam		Jn,Jed & Jay Nalupta		Batac Cockpit
27		KC Winslet		Bobot Chua		RGG Sports Center
28		Yarda Agdahon 1		M.Panes/M.Panizales		Iloilo Coliseum
29		Sitio Taruc		Ricardo Palmares Jr/Fred Palmares		Iloilo Coliseum
30		Matthew 1		Jan Jan Reyes		Alixandra Sports
31		Scorpion Peak		Vic Setias		Royal Palawan
32		Super A Nikki		Arthur Bona		CVBA
33		Scout Ranger PLG		Simon Rallos		CVBA

BAKBAKAN 2009 - GRAND FINALISTS - 5.5 pointers

		Entry Names		Entry Owners
1		GRND HB STAR		R.Daigo/R.MAGBALON		Araneta Nov. 19
2		JM/Jeth RSJ		Teodulo Martinez		Araneta Nov. 17
3		Keyang 2		Mel Lim		Araneta 17
4		GSb Eve Farm		Mayor Raspado		San Manuel Isabela
5		Amo Na Ni		Ramon Mansenares		Lipa Games
6		GAE Bagwis		Engr Neo Andal		Lipa Games
7		Kingfisher		E.Tagle/(Gen Filart)		Pasay Nov 20
8		Iron Eagle		Boy Ledesma/Engr Posadas		Pasay Nov 20
9		Hero 2		Joseph Pua		OAS Albay
10		Hero 3		Joseph Pua		OAS Albay
11		Sinbad OTBT Mag Iriga City		Bong Gazmen		OAS Albay
12		Matador		Aldo Dagoc		Matina Gallera
13		Bacolor Cockpit Fantastik		Jun Yap		Bacolor Cockpit
14		BDC Flybird		Bryan Dela Cruz		Batac Cockpit
15		Goldvives&DVH		Danilo Hinlo/Mario Golingan		RGG Sports Center
16		Mariza GCT		Dennis Luzuriaga		RGG Sports Center
17		Puerto Princesa		Rolly/Paeng Banzuela		Royal Palawan
18		MTB RS Organic 3 LDA		Benyong Lastimado		CVBA
19		Hoosier Cut 1		Troy Bustalino		CVBA
20		EDL 3		Mayor Ed Lumayag		SGBA

NFGB MEDICAL MISSION

BAKBAKAN FINALS CONTINUE AT ARANETA COLISEUM TODAY

BAKBAKAN FINALS CONTINUE

AT ARANETA COLISEUM TODAY

Pit competition is expected to be tougher and hotter today at the Araneta Coliseum when the finals of the 2,413-entry 2009 Bakbakan 10-Stag National Derby continues with more than 80 exciting matches starting at 3:00 p.m.

Hosted by the National Federation of Gamefowl Breders and Thunderbird Ganador Max, Bakbakan 2009’s champion will be decided on the December 3 grand finals wherein a total of 35 six-pointers and several entries with 5.5 points each will shoot for the P15 million champion’s prize purse, from the P35 million guaranteed cash prize.

Among the perfect pointers are, from the 2001 & 2002 Bakbakan champions Cagayan Valley Gamefowl Breeders Association, brothers Gerry & Omar Alivia.

Threatening to bagged its 4^th Bakbakan title is the United Ilocandia Gamefowl Breeders Association with its Presidnet Mayor Jess Nalupta sporting 6-0 win-loss card.

To challenge the Alivias are the Palmares brothers Ricoy & Jesry who both have undefeated entries.

The action shifts to Pasay Cockpit on Nov. 27 the finals for 4, 4.5 & 5 pointers from the Nov. 20 semis, while all 5 pointers Visayas & Mindanao will lock horns on Nov. 30 at makati Coliseum.

For more details, please contact Boy San Pedro or Dong Lamoste at 911-2928 or 911-3101 loc. 8361 or 8351 or log on to www.aranetacoliseum.com and www.ticketnet.com.ph

Bakbakan Nat’l Semis Continues at the Big Dome Today with 150 Matches

Bakbakan Nat’l Semis Continues at the Big Dome Today with 150 Matches

Topnotch pit action continues early today at the Araneta Coliseum as the second national semis of the ongoing 2009 Bakbakan National 10-Stag Derby reverberates again with qualifiers from three separate eliminations held in Pasay Cockpit last Oct. 30 and in Makati Coliseum – Nov. 3 & 9 will try to outclass each other to be able to advance to the finals.

Presented by the National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders and Thunderbird Ganador Max - for maximum fighting ability, the 2009 Bakbakan will have its 3rd national semis at Pasay Cockpit on Nov. 20 for those which entered the prelims in Nov. 12 & 16.

The finals for those with 4, 4.5 or 5 points from last Tuesday’s elims will face-off on Nov. 24 at the Araneta Coliseum; while the 4, 4.5 & 5 pointers from today’s event will re-engage each other on Nov. 26 also at the Big Dome.

The action returns to Pasay Cockpit on Nov. 27 the finals for 4, 4.5 & 5 pointers from the Nov. 20 semis, while all 5 pointers Visayas & Mindanao will lock horns on Nov. 30 at makati Coliseum.

Bakbakan 2009 goes back to Araneta Coliseum on Dec. 1 with the finals among the second set of 5 pointers from Vis-Min.

The grand finals between all the undefeated entries with scores of 5.5 and 6 points takes center stage at the Big Dome on Dec. 3 when this year’s champion will be decided and crowned.

P15,000,000 awaits the champion/s which is part of the guaranteed cash prize of P30 million.

PACQUIAO, COTTO, DELA HOYA & MARQUEZ HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON

CARREO by Rolando S. Luzong

Peoples Tonight (Wednesday, November 18, 2009)

PACQUIAO, COTTO, DELA HOYA & MARQUEZ

HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON

If there’s anything that Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Oscar dela Hoya and Juan Manuel Marquez have in common, that is sabong or cockfighting.

MEXICO

Marquez and dela Hoya both come from Mexico wherein cockfighting is as popular as it is in the Philippines. In fact, during one of the Golden Boy’s fight, Oscar’s father and uncle who are avid cockfighters sent ringside tickets to our own Sonny Lagon – breeder of Blue Blade Sweaters, who is said to be so popular in Mexico and as evidenced by the huge number of Mexicans that have signed his website’s (www.blue-blade.com) guestbook.

There are more than 400 cockpits in Mexico which are called palenque. Makes us wonder whether the Tagalog word palengke which means marketplace was actually pertaining to the cockpit that morphed into a marketplace after our forefathers settled around it. In the findings of respected anthropologist Scott Guggenheim in the book Cockfights : A Case Study, he wrote :

One of the first moves of the Spanish in their new colony was to establish permanent, privately-owned cockpits. This formed parts of a more general affort to force dispersed, rural populations into permanent, nucleated settlements which could be guarded and taxed.

Two years ago, when the World Boxing Council held their annual convention here, the cocking sector was tapped by the Games and Amusement Board to help in entertaining the WBC delegates, majority of whom are Mexicans. Thunderbird Power Feeds treated the delegates to the 1^st Philippine Cockfighting Orientation Tour, in which we fetched the WBC people at the Manila Hotel and brought them to San Pablo City in the farms of Sonny Lagon and Ompong Plaza, then to Araneta Coliseum where the Bakbakan derby was being held at that time.

PUERTO RICO

In Puerto Rico, cockfighting is one of the top contributors to the national coffers and one of the biggest tourist attractions. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, and although they have their own Senate, their President is the U.S. President.

When a succession of anti-cockfighting laws and banning of cockfighting in the last remaining states wherein the Sport was still legal, the Puerto Rico Senate passed a resolution to protect their “culture”. These are some excerpts from the said resolution submitted to the White House last year :

To solicit the President and the Houses of Congress of the United States of America to exclude Puerto Rico in the application of federal legislation that prohibits the practice of industry and sport of cockfighting.

…The sport of cockfighting is a part of the culture of our country and has been practiced before the colonization of the Americas.

…Puerto Rico made official laws regarding cockfighting in 1770 from a decree of the Spanish Governor, Don Miguel A. de Muesas. Several species of gameroosters were crossed in Puerto Rico to increase their quality and bravery. These included Spanish, English, Cuban and Filipino (Manila) gameroosters.

Puerto Rico is an international point for cockfighting. The sport earns more than $800 Million annually for the Puerto Rican economy. ..

… Cockfighting as generated 40,000 jobs both directly and indirectly between people that both work for the sport and those that actually participate.

PHILIPPINES

There’s no need to elaborate how sabong has been interwoven with our culture and everyday life as Filipinos. Immediately coming to my mind is what I saw in our kanto the night after Ondoy devastated my hometown of Marikina. I was standing by the roadside while the endless parade of evacuees passed by and what caught my attention and made me smile a family pushing a cart loaded with what’s left of their treasure including a rooster perched on top of what they have saved.

Manny Pacquiao is, as all of us know, an avid sabungero who has hundreds of prized fightingcocks in his farm in Gen. Santos City. He participates in and promotes cock derbies.

As Guggenheim puts it, “Nowhere in the world is there more enthusiasm for cockfights that in the Philippines”.

In cockfighting, we Filipinos believe we are the best. In boxing, our own Manny Pacquiao has just convinced the whole world that we are the best.

Congratulations Manny, I am prouder being a Filipino because of what you have accomplished.

135 FIGHTS UP IN BAKBAKAN SEMIS AT ARANETA COLISEUM TODAY

135 Fights Up as Bakbakan Semis Begins Today at the Big Dome

Stag fighting competition in the ongoing 2009 Bakbakan National 10-Stag Derby shifts to high gear at the Araneta Coliseum today, as the men are separated from the boys with the start of several semi-finals events scheduled all over the country. The 135 fight schedule kicks-off at ten in the morning.

Presented by the National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders and Thunderbird Ganador Max - for maximum fighting ability, the 2009 Bakbakan has already broken the 2,207 entries set last year and is well on its way to reach a historic 2,400 entries.

Another extra elims had to be bookd at Makati Coliseum tomorrow to accommodate the many breeders wanting to join the fray. Next semis at Araneta is on Thursday, Nov. 19.

Competing to advance to the finals and closer to the P15,000,000 champion’s purse from the guaranteed cash prize of P30 million are qualifiers from four separate eliminations held in Blue Mountain Cockpit (twice) among the Rizal Gamefowl Breeders Ass’n, in Malolos Cockpit between the members of the Bulacan Gamefowl Breeders Ass’n and in Makati Coliseum last Oct. 26.

Leading the campaigners from the RGBA 3 pointers composed of Thunderbird’s Champions of the World Rey Briones - Spartan Catmon 88; Thunderbird loyalist former Pililia, Rizal Vice Mayor Teodulo “Jun” Martinez - JM/Jeth RSJ and JM/Pililia/RSJ (2.5 pts.); Atty. Jun Caparroso - Tacloban Testing; Gov. Ed Ong & Ed Fontanilla - Red Lady; Doc Ayong Lorenzo - EDL Excellence Pit Games, Gen. Rey Acop - RATZ, Jimmy Junsay JBT Camsur Jarred and Dennis Buison - JMB Farm KH.

From Bulacan are Vicente De Castro – Brethren; Edward See/Joel Sayson ELS; Col.Sergio Austria - Agila and Oca Domingo - MSCCA

From the Makati preliminaries are Mel Lim – Keyang; Atty.Darwin Asuncion - Rudwin Habagat; Australian Peter Uren - Mayor Malamig Fantastic; Gov.Bersamin - Super Kit; Manny Garcia/Ed Apari/Edwin Reyes Mangar ED & ED COMB 2.

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135 Sultada sa Simula ng Bakbakan Semis Ngayon sa Araneta Coliseum

Ang matinding lababan ng mga 8-10 buwan gulang na mga manok-panabong sa ginaganap na 2009 Bakbakan National 10-Stag Derby ay itataas pa ang antas ngayon sa Araneta Coliseum, sa simula ng ilang bahaging semi-finalsna nakatakda sa iba-ibang lugar sa buong bansa. May 135 sultada ang nakalinya na magsisimula ng ika-10 ng umaga.

Handog ng National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders at ng Thunderbird Ganador Max - for maximum fighting ability, ang 2009 Bakbakan ay nabasag na ang 2,207 entries na naitala noong 2008 at pinapalagay na maabot ang makasaysayang 2,400 entries.

Isa pang ekstrang eliminasyon ang kinailangan na gawin bukas sa Makati Coliseum upang mapagbigyan ang marami pang sabungero na nais na lumahok. And susnod na semis sa Araneta ay sa Huwebes, Nob. 10.

Maglalaban ngayon upang maka-abante sa finals at makalapit sa P15,000,000 champion’s purse mula sa garantisadong kabuuang premyo na P30 million ay ang mga nag-qualify mula sa apat na magkakahiwalay na eliminasyon na ginanap sa Blue Mountain Cockpit (dalawang ulit) ng Rizal Gamefowl Breeders Ass’n, sa Malolos Cockpit ng Bulacan Gamefowl Breeders Ass’n at mula sa labanan sa Makati Coliseum noon Okt. 26.

Pangungunahan ang kampanya ng RGBA ng mga 3-pointers na sina Thunderbird Champions of the World member Rey Briones - Spartan Catmon 88; Thunderbird loyalist at dating Bise-Alkalde ng Pililia, Rizal Teodulo “Jun” Martinez - JM/Jeth RSJ at JM/Pililia/RSJ (2.5 pts.); Atty. Jun Caparroso - Tacloban Testing; Gov. Ed Ong & Ed Fontanilla - Red Lady; Doc Ayong Lorenzo - EDL Excellence Pit Games, Gen. Rey Acop - RATZ, Jimmy Junsay JBT Camsur Jarred at Dennis Buison - JMB Farm KH.

Mula sa Bulacan ay sina Vicente De Castro – Brethren; Edward See/Joel Sayson ELS; Col.Sergio Austria - Agila at Oca Domingo - MSCCA

Mula sa Makati Coliseum ay sina Mel Lim – Keyang; Atty.Darwin Asuncion - Rudwin Habagat; Australian Peter Uren - Mayor Malamig Fantastic; Gov.Bersamin - Super Kit at Manny Garcia/Ed Apari/Edwin Reyes Mangar ED & ED COMB 2. (Rolando S. Luzong)