FEATHER-WATCHERS BRAVING THE HEAT

CARREO by Rolando S. Luzong

Peoples Tonight (March 3, 2010)

FEATHER-WATCHERS BRAVING THE HEAT

The El Niño phenomenon is already driving the mercury to new levels giving us a boiling atmosphere. And while most of us hide in the shade or stay within the confines of our air-conditioned offices or within the controlled comfort of the many malls that provide havens from the solar anger, the wing-banding teams of the local breeders associations are out on the road braving the heat to see if your cockerels have the right number of primary wing feathers to qualify for wing-banding.

Started yesterday are the farm-to-farm visits of highly-trained feather-watchers in the mission to legitimized cockerels so that after six months when they are already stags, they will have the needed credentials or badges to be fought in the respective association stag derbies.

These feather-watchers are the marines of the stag derby season. They are the ones that pave the way for the other working committees of the associations and the federations to make things possible towards a successful stag season each year.

They bear not only the heat of the sun, but also the complaints and capriciousness of some breeders. They are actually the ones that softens the bumps and lowers the hurdles that are expected along the way.

To all the feather-watchers, I tip my hat.

BGT CUP WINGBANDING

After the three successful “BGT CUP All About Conditioning Seminars” held in Ormoc & Tacloban in Leyte and in Calbayog, Samar sponsored by Thunderbird Vetracin Gold Caps, popular Ormoc Gold breeder Bernie Tacoy announced yesterday the schedule of wingbanding of cockerels for the BGT CUP Stag Derby Circuit.

“We will do the screening and wingbanding from March 15 – 30. We will start in Ormoc then move to other backyard farms all the way to Catarman in Samar, as well as Biliran”, says Tacoy who raffled off three pairs of his signature breed of gamefowls during the seminars.

Those who were not able to attend the seminars, but would like also to have their cockerels wingbanded may call or text Rey Bimbao at 09285500951 or at 0917-3504333.

Only a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 50 birds will be banded for each farm or breeder. To qualify, a cockerel must have four primary wing feathers intact on both sides.

The BGT CUP Stag Circuit will have five separate 3-stag events (1^st leg) that will begin on September 4 in Valencia Cockpit in Ormoc; on Sept. 11 in Buraen Amusement Center in Buraen, Leyte; on Sept. 18 in Paranas, Samar; on Sept. 25 in Biliran; on Oct. 2 in Sta. Fe, Leyte and again in Buraen for the 4-stag final leg on October 9.

“Bugbugan sa Del Monte” Derby on March 5

Joey Sy and Allan Vicencio teams up on March 5 for one of the biggest and most prestigious cocking events ever to be staged at the Del Monte Cockpit in Malabon City. Dubbed as the “Bugbugan sa Del Monte” 5-Cock Derby, the one-day spectacle is exclusively sponsored by Thunderbird Ganador Max – for maximum fighting ability.

A cash prize of P500,000 is up for grabs with the entry fee and minimum both pegged at P11,000.

With several of the who’s who in Philippine cockfighting already confirming their participation, great match-ups are expected that can truly make the event live up to its title “bugbugan”.

Some of the awaited face-offs are those of Engr. Sonny Lagon vs. Jun Topacio; Osang dela Cruz vs. Benjie Lim; American Norman Rockwell vs. RJ Mea; James Campbell & Noel Jarin vs. Bobby Del Rosario of Mangzee Farm; Boy Gamilla vs. RGBA Breeder of the Year Pros Antonio; Tony Mabasa of Aklan vs. Bong Gazmen of Bicol.

Proceeds of this derby will go to the construction of three classrooms in Bgy. Cabugao, Bato, Catanduanes – a project of the Rotary Club of Metro Valenzuela. Those interested to join, especially Rotarian cockers may call Joey Sy at 0917-3271584.

WELCOME BACK to my good friend and kumpare Romano Pedroche who is shere for his sabong vacation to fight in a derby and visit his RPED Game Farm in Bago City, Nergos Occidental.