Famous for its internationally-craved mangoes, GuimarasIsland is set to be known for another thing – fine fightingcocks, brought about by the solo conquest of the entry Bests of Jaguar of the 2010 Annual Candelaria 7-Cock International Derby held from January 28 to February 2 at the Iloilo Coliseum in Jaro, IloiloCity.
Bests of Jaguar ( a name given by the financer Laña Brothers) drew his first fight against F. Ramirez & Al Buyco’s Pete Baclig Tribute, then went on to win the next six matches for a total unmatched score of 6.5 points to outclass 164 other entries.
Coming in with 3.5 points in the finals, the champion entry disposed of LDS Sambag (Ronald Gallenero & M. Aguisanda); Ragamak (Noel Hingpit & Capt. Espinosa) and AMY Red Baron of Freddie Yulo.
The birds are owned and bred by the Dela Peña brothers (Freddie, Donald, Jun and Zeus who just passed the Nursing Board Exam), although Jun was quick to say that it’s actually Donald who is the breeder.
A trusting user of Thunderbird Platinum and Thunderbird Bexan XP over the past ten years, the Dela Peña Brothers are known for their regular entry name ALGUIM which is short for Bgy. Alagisoc, Guimaras where they were born and raised.
The champion’s handler is the brother’s cousin Agustin Flores, while their gaffer is Jerson Laña.
Best of Jaguar fielded 4 white-legged fighters which are three-way crosses composed of Kelso, Sweater & Roundhead; 2 Blue-Faced McLean Hatches and a old-feathered rooster which they call Golden Bird.
The Dela Peña’s have been breeding gamebirds for 25 years and as far as ten years ago have planned out their conquest of the Candelaria for which they succeeded on their first try.
Thunderbird is on a roll…after the solo conquest of Thunderbird Bexan XP die-hard Engr. Sonny Magtibay of the 2010 World Slasher Cup 8-Cock International Derby, it was Thunderbird’s top endorser Boy Marzo’s turn to take the limelight by scoring 8 wins out of 8 matches to win the solo victory of the 2010 San Juan Coliseum 8-Cock International Derby last Monday evening.
I interviewed Boy over the phone and he told me that his son-in-law Ricki Reyes should receive part of the credits because before the championship they sat down to map out their plan. Accordin to Boy, he had 4 Sweater-Gilmore aces lined up for the finals, but he was not happy with the two of tem because their grades were just 9.5 and not 10 points as Marzo would prefer. Ricki, for his part, has 6 aces that all have grades of 10 points, so he offered wto of his fighters to his biyenan. They were a multi-winner Grey of an anknown line and a Double-Right broodcock from Bruce Barnett. Those two birds were Marzo’s last two birds in the finals and both won in spectacular manner.
The win gives BM Blulalayaw its second internation derby title, the first of which was a World Slasher Cup victory in 2005.
Two other entries settled for runner-up honors with 7.5 points.
REPORTS FROM CANDELARIA
I am writing this column on Tuesday, February 2, in an internet shop at Molo, Iloilo City, as the finals of the 165-entry 2010 Annual Candelaria 7-Cock International Derby is going on with only 4 entries undefeated with 4 points apiece.
Another Thunderbird Winning Team member Jesry Palmares of Passi City with a 3-1 win-loss record is fighting for a possible grand slam for Thunderbird.
Candelaria has really gained momentum since it was made an international derby about six years ago. There were a lot of foreign participants and guests and the crowd is obviously bigger than in the World Slasher.
I also would like to mention the consistency of the Antique breeder like Fornier, Encarnacion and Salazar who have practically dominated Panay Island in 2009.
VERY UN-FILIPINO
I had the chance to have lunch with two American cocker-breeders who joined the Slasher and were guests at the Candelaria and I can not believe what they told me about a Filipino who invited them to have breakfast at a hotel. The Filipino left first and when the Americans stood up and was preparing to leave, the waitress gave them the bill. They told the waitress that they were just invited and their host will take care of the chit, however they were told that the Filipino gave instructions that he will not pay for the American’s food and that they should pay for their food.
Said cocker ho invited them is a not-so-liked person who throws his weight around like he’s the king of the world.
He is know to be a very shrewd derby promoter who fixes the matching to benefit himself.
Yes, he is a Filipino, but maybe a Filipino pig, a shame to the Filipino race and our culture of hospitability. Go back to your sty and eat your hogfood.
Araneta Coliseum continue to sizzle today as the 2010 World Slasher Cup 8-Cock International Derby rages on with the second set (Group B) from the total 260 entries take on each other starting at ten in the morning. Winners from today’s 2-cock eliminations will advance to the Group B 2-cock semis on Thursday, January 21.
Group A entries who entered in yesterday’s opener will lock horns again tomorrow in their 2-cock semis.
4-cock finals for Group A will be on Jan. 22, while, Group B finalists will mix it out on Jan. 23, Saturday.
Hosted by the Pintakasi of Champions, this record-breaking event is co-presented by Thunderbird Bexan XP the potent blood conditioner and Sagupaan Compexor.
Featuring the biggest and most formidable foreign contingent ever, the visitors include Bill McNutt, Joe Wolcott, Wilbert LeBlanc & Richard Harris of Louisiana, Roger Roberts of Georgia, Brad Padgette of Oregon, Damon Yorkman of Kentucky, Brian Corkren of Alabama & Kiana Borovies of Hawaii, Mike Formosa of Hawaii,, Jorge "Goy" Goitia of California, Arthur Rhodes of Tenessee and Ray Alexander of Alabama.
The home team boasts of Thunderbird Winning Team members Sonny Lagon (Blue Blade) with four entries, Bernie Tacoy with his Ormoc Gold fighters, Dicky Lim with his Lemons, Jesry Palmares with his Cowans, Boy Marzo with his Gilmores, Engr. Ted & Nandie Pacheco (Triseven), Dante Prieto (Tumandok),Eddie Araneta, Rey Briones, Claude Bautista, Wilson Ong and Atong Ang among others.
Other visiting entries are the Malaysian Group, Siedfrey Linsangan- Guam, Mar Gatmaitan-Guam, Henry Navarro-California, Ric Cabullos-Canada, Babay Evangelista-California, Cesar Ancaya, Rene Moraga & Glen Ferrer-San Diego; Warlito Raquel-Hawaii and Joey Melendres-Australia. Zosimo Antivo of Las Vegas.
We wonder why it has taken this long for the Alyansa ng Sabungero to seek party-list status and congressional representation. The cockpit workers belong to one of the oldest occupations in the country but conditions of life and work have hardly improved.
Critics are wrong to say that the major heirs of sectoral representation are the wealthy cockers and cockpit owners. For every gambler, there are scores of kristo, sentenciador, casador, mananari, largador, matchmakers, takilyador and backyard breeders who depend for a living on betting money and on the tahor they work for winning and making a bundle.
Cockfight toilers claim a national constituency because a cockpit inhabits almost every city and major municipality. It is not known what cause—apart from improving their lot—the sabong workers will espouse in Congress. They might ask for a bigger share of the winnings and the losing cocks.
We heard the party would have for its motto, “Karangalan at Kaunlaran,” because cockfighting has a strong code of honor. Every player honors his bet; nobody cheats. The Alyansa said it hopes to infect the congressmen with its tradition of honesty.
A strong caucus is expected to lobby for the group—sportsmen like Chavit Singson, Peping Cojuangco, Ronnie Puno, Manny Pacquiao and Jun Santiago, among others. Many congressmen breed gamecocks and gamble a lot. National Artist Anding Roces, who has chronicled life in the cockpit, could be expected to write the group’s manifesto.
The entry of alyansa is one of the good news in the party-list scene. We heard the community of artists—writers, painters, composers and others—has applied for membership. They claim Malacañang has marginalized them. They claim under-representation in the boards of the CulturalCenter of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as well as the Appeals Committee in the Palace.
The Comelec commissioners, some senators, opinion writers and other kibitzers find the Alyansa move amusing and the fact that more than 250 groups have applied for accreditation. They should re-read the Party-List Act which says that the state shall promote representation for marginalized and underrepresented Pinoys who could contribute to the drafting and passage of laws that will benefit the nation.
What is good for the cockpit workers could be good for the country. And that goes for the other threatened sectors—like the jueteng collectors, mistresses, smokers, gays, prisoners, call-center workers and housemaids—who are integral to society and who deserve a voice in the important task of lawmaking.
COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo is questioning the application for accreditation by Alyansa ng Sabungero.
“A group of cockfighters. Why are they marginalized when they hold the money?" Melo said as he vowed to screen thoroughly the party-list groups seeking Comelec accreditation.
The statement of the Comelec Chairman only tells of how little the people know about sabong and the many benefits derived from it.
Mr. Chairman, for a start, it must be made clear that gamblers are different from cockers. Ang mga sugarol ay malaki ang pagkakaiba sa isang sabungero.
The gamblers look at cockfighting as only one form of a game o chance. A gambler may proceed to the casinos after a derby and still continue gambling.
A true cocker and a lover of cockfighting is one who breeds gamefowls to fight or sell, or one who buys rooster, takes care of them, trains and conditions them and fight them, for honor and excellence that give him joy and satisfaction than any financial or material gain.
One good example of such a cocker is the late Speaker Monching Mitra who would fight 20 roosters in hackfights and bet just P5,500 for each chicken.
Filipino cockers have learned their lesson from the plight of their American counterparts who are now treated like criminals in their country for just being a gamefowl breeder or a cockfighter.
Yes, it’s true that we have in our midst local leaders and lawmakers who are into cockfighting, but directly promoting or protecting cockfighting is something that they will not do, especially in a time when elections are past approaching.
Again, of all the cocker-politicians who have achieved national prominence, it was only Speaker Mitra who n ever for one moment veered away from cockfighting to protect or advance his political carreer. He lost the presidential election using such slogans as “Manok ng Masa” and up to the end died emulating a rooster’s courage… fighting and proud until his last breath.
I believe what the Filipino cocker needs is a law, or an act of Congress, declaring sabong as a national heritage or a culture that shall not ever be stopped or abolished by any law or declaration in the future.
The anti-cockfighting forces that spearheaded and later succeeded in having cockfighting rendered illegal throughout the United States are already here in the Philippines, campaigning against cockfighting.
And unless, a solid law that will protect cockfighting is passed, these people will not cease in their effort to convince our youth that cockfighting is bad.
Let me congratulate Alyansa Sabungero for coming to the fore and lighting a torch for the Filipino cockers to follow.
Heading the group is Nid Anima, a multi-awarded writer, publisher editor of cockfighting magazines and author of several sabong-related books.
His love for cockfighting should be unquestionable.
The cockfighting and gamefowl industry provide an honorable source of income to more than a million breadwinners in the country, but the sabong sector does not enjoy any assistance from the government.
I hope that with the Alyansa Sabungero party list, finally, cockfighting as a sport and industry and the cocker as an individual will be more understood.
JOB WELL DONE : THUNDERBIRD awards a Plaque of Appreciation to Juliver Q. Caminong (middle) - a graduate of the TJT Cocking Academy who bagged the 2009 Roligon Overall cocker of the year with his regular entry name "Carnival". Doing the honors is Thunderbird's Dr. Erwin Sera (left) and Dr. Teddy J. Tanchangco of TJT Cocking Academy which continue to provide the best training and expertise to cockfighting enthusiasts, both local and foreign, with the full support of Thunderbird.
REMATE : Huwebes - Mayo 28, 2009 Makakaasa ng matinding salpukan ngayon sa air-conditioned na Las Pinas Coliseum kaugnay ng ialalargang Special 2-Cock Derby na sasalihan ng mga beteranong derbista ng Metro Manila.
Hindi bababa sa 40 entries ang siniguro rito nina hosts Abu Centeno at Julius Canumay.
Siniguro din ni Centeno na maikakasa nito ang lahat ng parada. Itinakda lamangs a P3,300 ang entry fee.
Samatala, isusunod sa Sabado, May 30 ang "San Pedro Boysd sa LPC Fastest Win, 1-Cock Ulutan" Taya naman dito ang garantisadong premyong P50,000 ngunit P550 lamang ang entry fee. Pasabong ito ng San Pedro Boys ng Laguna.
Nitong nakaraang Sabado ay matatandaan na naitala sa LPC ang 139 entries.
Tumawag lamang sa LPC office para sa detalye : 872-5456 0 0908-556453 (hanapin si Julius)
MANILA, Philippines- The three foreign women who joined a rally against the Manila Zoo last Tuesday are facing the possibility of deportation, the Bureau of Immigration said Thursday.
Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said the country’s immigration laws do not allow foreigners to join mass actions.
“We welcome them here as visitors. They cannot just protest here, especially if it violates the culture of Filipinos," he said…
MANILA, Philippines – In a bid to draw attention to their protest, four bikini-clad women from the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) picketed the Manila Zoo on Tuesday to urge the public to boycott zoos.
The protesters, including PETA Asia Pacific campaign coordinator Alistair Cornell, said that animals should be allowed to roam in their natural habitats and should not be kept inside zoos where they are subjected to boredom and loneliness…
Animal rights groups continue battle vs Manila Zoo
MANILA, Philippines - Animal rights activists have signed a petition asking Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim to stop Manila Zoo from adding more animals in its “tiny, decrepit and outdated" facility.
In a statement, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said the petition was signed by 10 groups of animal advocates. It said the groups believe that the “animals belong with their families and communities in the wild."…
Bantay-Sabong, this blog and yours truly Rolando S. Luzong, fully support everything and anything for the betterment of sabong. The indie film , Prinsipe Sabong and the full-length movie Sabungero are labours of love and passion by distinguished persons whose aims and objectives are to Guard, Defend and Promote sabong which is exactly what Bantay-Sabong stands for. So, we both give this efforts our highest respect and admiration.
Congratulations to Edwin Monton & Armie Fernandez for the award they received and are about to receive for their "Prinsipe Sabong". You can watch this award-winning film on May 17, in its official premier showing at the Robinson's Galleria. After which, the film will be shown on national television sometime in May or early June.
Good luck to JC Bernardo for his movie "Sabungero" which will will be shown on July in all theaters nationwide. The all-star cast who are all busy with their respective tele-nobela commitments (Joel Torre, Ricky Davao and Leo Martinez are all in GMA-7 's tele-nobela adaptation of Zorro) are committed in coming out with a great movie, but their busy schedule have to be considered in the shooting schedule.
We enjoin all of you to support both films. Thank you to all lovers of the Sport.
A lot of cockers are unaware of these, so, may I give way to my idol, the late Angel Lansang who in the 60s came out with the book Cockfighting in the Philippines. Here is one chapter of the book that is as timely now as when it was first written;
A cock’s code of conduct
Cock’s are well-disciplined lot, observing good and right conduct in the following manner :
Barring accidents, they do not peck at each other’s eyes even if theykeep on fighting the whole day. This is sportsmanship on the part of the cocks. What about men?
A cock will never hit while the opponent is in the process of moving his bowels. Try to verify this fact
A cock will not relieve itself while being held in hand but the moment he is set down the ground he will do so at once. Good etiquette. After one or two hours of traveling, put him down in the ground and in a minute he will move his bowels and flap his wings for the needed relief and rest.
At the sight of the morsel of food or any kind of insect, he will call for the opposite sex to share it with her. Noble breed and gallantry. Men do this, too.
Birds communicate to each other any impending trouble and danger by a loud cackle and this signal is relayed to all of their kind in far surrounding places, in a natural spirit of mutual cooperation.
All birds sleep early at sundown but get easily awaken by the slightest noise, movement or sight. They comply to a strict discipline; so don’t disturb your ace fighter at night when preparing for an important fight.
A chilled bird would scarcely it his feet are cold; when his feet are warm, that is a favorable sign. Some old folks still subscribe to this superstition.
Extremely hot weather is very distinguishing to fighting birds. It severely test their gameness. An over-heated and exhausted bird at times leave his opponent after having cut him down, but will fight again when he recovers from his exhaustion. An incident regarding a cock that we brought to Jaro, Ilolilo for a match on January 24, 1965 will serve to demonstrate what I mean. Our highly vaunted Little General hacked and ran way after cutting down helplessly both legs, of his opponent, leaving him gasping for breath and mortally wounded. In turn himself had a slight gash on his right leg that didn’t bother him at all. When we arrived at home late at that afternoon he was in high spirits and crowed loudly as if announcing his ignominious defeat. After several months of recuperation he won handily twice in Baguio; now he is raring to go for another battle. Was there a single drop of common blood from the side of his mother-hen? Experienced cocker know that so many things happening in the pit defy explanation.
A bird running away from a foe is liable to run away again when pitted against a cock of the same color unless he has had time to forget. A cock need not run away to be regarded as dung hill. T stop trying or fighting is sufficient to judge him by. A sound and courageous game cock will not runaway even when badly hurt; he fights so much harder, like suicidalsoldier. The heavier the cock is, the better, provided it is of solid meat and muscles (not gut fat).
A gamecock his extreme bravery, his chivalrous regard for his hens, his excessive concern over sex, his love for combat and his amazing recuperation from wounds. Above all this remarkable characteristics, he glories in love, conquest and domination. While he is a natural fighter, he respects the territorial rights of another cock. In his own domain he is sovereign; on strange grounds he is less valiant.
Some birds give up a fight from sheer exhaustion alone or when badly wounded. Although cocks may not run away from a fight, they will invariably lie down and press their beak to the ground and allow their opponent to strike and peck at them, making no apparent record to fight back. Now and then, they feign death and will even crow when the enemy is far away. This kind of fowl is classified as dunghill, possessing a rotten blood strain.
Gameness is very important, but it is nil without cutting ability. Try to figure out the percentage of wins by gameness alone and the result would be insignificant. The big majority of fights are won via K.O. with the deadly keen slasher gaff. A Filipino proverb says: “ A dunghill cock will crow over the dead body of the most courageous fighter; all that remains in him is gameness plus a pot of stew”.
A game cock and a game fighting cock are two separate and distinct breeds of fowl, a game bird is worthless if he cannot fight or cut. Some breeders do not seem to know this.
A savage bird should not be teased. Put on a pair of gloves and hold your hand still. Let him bite and hit. Ina few days he will get over it if handled gently.
Riding high on the tremendous success of the 2009 World Slasher Cup I held last January which paraded a record-breaking field of 207 entries, Araneta Coliseum braces yet again for the staging of the much talked about 2009 World Slasher Cup II on May 12, 14 and 16.
The prestigious bi-annual event is presented by Araneta Center in cooperation with Thunderbird Bexan XP, Sagupaan Complexor 3000 and hosted by Pintakasi of Champions.
Composing the powerhouse cast of foreign entries are partners Wilbert LeBlanc and Richard Harris (Yellow Rose) of Louisiana, who almost bagged solo victory last January but had to settle for solo runner-up honors after losing their last fight.
The visitors will also rely on James Campbell (Osage Gamefarm) of Ohio, USA, whose Sweater and Kelso fighters won a share of the championship for the Cucamonga entry of California-based Pinoy cocker Jorge Torres and former Davao Congressman Claude Baustista.
Also expected are WSC regulars Ray Alexander of Alabama, Roger Roberts of Georgia and Mike Formosa of Hawaii. To provide ample firepower are Richard McCormick of Canada, Chuck Berry of Oklahoma with his sinibalang fighters, Brad Padgette of Oregon, Damon Yorkman of Kentucky, Karl Casco of Hawaii, Thomas Mischkus of Germany, Brian Corkren of Alabama & Kiana Borovies of Hawaii, Jorge "Goy" Goitia of California, Arthur Rhodes of Tennessee among others.
An influx of balikbayan entries are also in the offing, inspired by the championship wins of the Chicago-based group of Martin Barla, Joe Carcillar, Robert Te and Rolly Gabon with their MJRG entry, and the Spoiled Sa Amo bet of California-nestled Rodel Costales, in partnership with Benson Chua.
Since its launch in 1969, the World Slasher Cup continues to be the biggest crowd-drawer in the cockfighting world. Known internationally as the “Olympics of Cockfighting,” the World Slasher Cup is held twice each year at the Araneta Coliseum: January and May. It is billed, and rightly so, as “the biggest cockfighting event in the world.”
All those intending to join are encouraged to make their reservations early thru Boy San Pedro or Dong Lamoste at 911-2928 or 911-3101 loc. 8361 or 8351.
For more information, log on to www.aranetacoliseum.com and www.ticketnet.com.ph
Battle of the Winners! GET YOUR TICKET TO DRIVE! ONE (1) BRAND NEW TOYOTA VIOS
Elimination dates: April 30 - Thursday
May 7 - Thursday
May 14 - Thursday
May 21 - Thursday
Fastest Kill ang labanan dito. Sa bawat elimination date, may ipamimigay na Cash Prize - 100,000. distributed ito sa 1st to 10th prize. may premyo din ang ibang late fights (e.g. 25th, 40th etc.) Sa bawat panalo ay gagantimpalaan ng 1 ticket na gagamitin sa Finals.
Reg. Fee - 2,200Php.
Finals date: May 28 - Thursday Fastest Kill din ang labanan.
Reg. fee - 1,100Php plus ticket
Sa tuwing mananalo ka sa eliminations ay gagantimpalaan ka ng isang ticket. One (1) win entitles you one (1) ticket. Ang Ticket pong ito ay ang gagamitin ninyo sa Finals (MAy 28). kung isa (1) ang ticket mo ay isa (1) ang allowed na entry mo. Kung manalo ka sa eliminations (any date) ng sampung (10 times) beses, this means may sampu (10) ticket ka at ikaw ay allowed na mag-entry ng sampung (10) manok sa Finals.The more tickets you have, the more chances of winning the grand prize na
TOYOTA VIOS.
Sa May 28, or sa Finals ay mayroon pa ring Cash prize na 100,000 Distributed ito sa placers katulad ng pagkakadistribute sa eliminations except sa 7th prize na kung saan ang TOYOTA VIOS ang nakalaan dito (7th placer).
Dahil ikaw nga ay eliminations winner at may ticket, sa Finals after presenting the said ticket ay 1,100Php lang ang registration fee mo. sa halagang 1,100 ay magkakaroon ka ng tsansa na manalo ng Brand New na kotse (TOYOTA VIOS)
In TOTAL, ang papremyo ay aabot ng 500,000Php at isang (1) Brand new Toyota Vios ang ipinamimigay ng New Management ng Cainta Coliseum. Ito ay sa halagang (TOTAL) 3,300 LAMANG.
Pao Malvar of Tarlac is the reigning United Gamecock Breeders Association's UGBA HERITAGE CUP 9-Bullstag Derby solo champion, while Tol & Lino Mariano are the 2007 & 2008 solo winner (back-to-back champion) of the annual National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders' BULLANG-BULLANG 10-Stag National Derby.
Both are top endorsers of Thunderbird Power Feeds and Thunderbird Power Vet.
