Bexan Warriors Dominate Araw ng Dabaw Derby

CARREO by Rolando S. Luzong

Peoples Tonight – March 17, 2010

Bexan Warriors Dominate Araw ng Dabaw Derby

There were 192 and then there were only 3.

Coming from three different cities, Bexan Warriors Dr. Ruel Manungas of Tagum in Davao Del Norte; James Ang from Cebu and highly-respected Congressman Dodong Codilla of Ormoc all scored six perfect wins each to dominate the 192-entry P8-million 2010 Araw ng Dabaw Annual 6-Cock Derby.

The 4-day event hosted by Sammy Uy and Dorie Du, sponsored by Thunderbird is regarded as the biggest and most prestigious cockfighting event in Mindanao and is participated by the biggest names in Philippine cockfighting.

Cong. Codilla – the first to emerge victorious proudly reported that the birds he fought composed of Sweater crossers, Gold and Bulik are breeding of his son Winnie who may soon inherit his seat in Congress.

Thunderbird Winning Team member and Ormoc Gold Breeder Bernie Tacoy who was also competing in the said derby and who suffered an upset in his 4^th fight that gave him his only loss, was given the honor to award the trophy to his godfather and mentor Cong. Dodong Codilla (Golden Yakal).

The second 6-0 win-loss slater was Cebuano cocker James Ang – a good friend of Inilog (Tukaan) host Doc Hanzie Dal – himself a multi-awarded breeder.

Completing the grand slam for the Thunderbird Bexan Warriors is Dr, Ruel Manungas of Tagum who fought Kelso-Roundhead & Kelso-Sweater crosses.

In an interview over Sabong TV, he was asked why the name of his entry is B-Warriors. “It’s because of 5 Bs. My children Beatriz, Bridgette, Bernadette and Benjamin”, he said. “And of course, Bexan”, he added.

Dr. Ruel Manungas, a dentist, bred and trained his roosters with assistants Ivan & Rudy and with the expert knife-tying of gaffers Joy Lopez & Dodong.

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE BODY OF FIGHTING COCK

Before going into specific details over breeding fighting cocks it is only proper to give some information on the general characteristics of the physiology and anatomy of the fighting cock. Physiology is the study of the functions of the different organs of the body and anatomy is the study of the disposition, size, and form of the different organs of the body. The information regarding the physiology and the anatomy of the cock fighting will aid in increasing one’s knowledge along breeding game fowl.

The fighting cock is a very vertebrate: that is, it has a vertebrae or spinal column and belongs to “vertebrate” a subphylum of chordate animals, comprising those having a brain enclosed in a skull or cranium and a segmented spinal column, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes.

The body or skeleton of the fighting cock is composed of thirteen vertebrae of the neck and loss of facility or a total fall of his neck towards his body like he was hit by a cane and might result to his death.

Other General Characteristics :

1. The fighting cock possesses hot blood;

2. Its body temperature is comparatively higher than other domestic animals with an average of 107 degrees Fahrenheit. It is coolest at ten o’clock in the evening up to 12 midnight; hence its sleeping quarters must be free from draft and be kept reasonably warm to avoid colds and pneumonia. Its highest temperature is reached at around eleven o’clock in the morning up to three o’clock in the afternoon; therefore, during theses hours, the fighting cock must not be unduly exposed by the sun.

3. The cock’s heartbeat averages 300 per minute. The cock’s feathers are his foundation of protection against the blows, injuries, and wounds inflicted by his opponent. The feathers also serve to maintain the cock’s normal body temperature. Usually the feathers constitute from 4-9 percent of the total body weight of the cock. General, moulting or change of feathers occurs once a year starting in May; but in the greater majority moulting starts from June to August and ends in November thru January.

The fighting cock’s moulting period unlike that of ordinary cock and other birds is slow and long.

The fighting cock’s skeleton is light, compact and vigorous. Its bone are hollow and almost empty-a fact that makes the entire skeletal frame light. The location of lung is such that any blow in its area can easily affect the thoracicolum bar area which could be fatal.

The Respiratory system -- As differentiated from the lungs of a mammals the lungs of the fighting cock are small and firmly fitted in the cocks ribs and vertebrate column. The interchange of gasses in the respiratory process occurs during the exhaltation period.

The Digestive System—the cock’s digestive system starts from the mouth or beak which is deprived of lips and teeth. The tongue terminates at one point. Behind the tongue is a structure in the form of the head of an arrow, which serves to throw foods towards the esophagus and also helps in drinking.

MOTHER’S DAY : Today is a special day for me and my siblings being the 70^th birthday of our beloved mother Lualhati Santos Luzong. Nanay, maligayang kaarawan, ipinagmamalaki ka namin. Happy birthday also to my good friend Ken Cantero.