BOY GEGATO CHAMPION AGAIN

GEGATO CONQUERS THE NORTH  : (l-r Michael Villera, handler Levi Camus, Marlon, Boy Gegato & Engr. Art Gaspar) LOYAL THUNDERBIRD-USER Reigning International Derby champion Boy Gegato shocked the cockers of Pangasinan, La Union and Ilocos with a sterling  5-0 win-loss performance for a solo championship finish in last Saturday's Ventura Cokpit Arena's P.5M 2nd Anniversary one-day 5-Cock Derby in San Carlos City. Unleashing his feared JVG Gilmore-Roundhead aces, Gegato's BG HIGH MOUNTAIN entry (in partnership with Engr. Gaspar) ruled over entries Yanyan of E. Buenafe;  AMU; HGS of Hermie Saayso; JJ Guide and house bet Jokers Wild. The victory came as a big surprise considering the birds came all the way from Bacolod, arriving in Manila on Thursday morning and then brought to Pangasinan at 11:00 p.m. for a 4-hour trip to Pangasinan.

1ST THUNDERBIRD BORACAY CHALLENGE 4-COCK ALL-STAR DERBY SET

AN EXCLUSIVE DERBY BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE THUNDERBIRD WINNING TEAM

STAPLER MATCHING GETS JOB DONE IN SAMAR

CARREO by Rolando S. Luzong

Peoples Tonight (February 7, 2010)

STAPLER MATCHING GETS JOB DONE IN SAMAR

The style may be confusing to me who has seen it for the first time, but the derby matching process practiced in Samar, particularly at the Paranas Cockpit by matchmakers Ocar Garcia and Benie Alegro, is enough to get the job done.

The idea is, like in a 3-cock derby such as the one I witnessed hosted by Bernie Tacoy last Saturday - January 30, to list in cards the weights submitted by the participants. One card for each weight that should also bear the entry number ; entry name; entry owner; no-fight requests; amount of bets; fight schedule preference etc.

The matching board Oca, Benjie and Bernie

After all the entries have registered and all the roosters’ weights are entered, a wide pad of acetate, like the material used in construction plans, equally divided into rectangles with bold prints of particular weight brackets like 2010; 1980; 2400; 2500 etc. which is actually weight in kilos.

Each and every weight card is placed on their proper weight rectangles on the acetate. Then, the grouped weight cards are retrieved set by set and are spread out on the table. Each card will then be found his match from among the rest of the cards.

When two weight cards are found to be the best match, the two weight cards are then stapled together. The process goes on until all the weight cards are matched.

Matched and stapled

This will be followed by the sequencing process, wherein they will go through the all the matched-weight cards and one by one assigned a fight number to it.

The birds were matched, the fights were scheduled and the derby was staged.

However, the glitz I mentioned before the matching even began happened. There was a moment when there were only two weight cards for one of the entries, so a card was missing. They had to count and look and go through each card again.

There was a moment during sequencing that the number of fights were one less that they should be.

There was also an incident when one of the participants, upon reaching the pit and weighing his birds in the official scale, found out that his personal scale is 15 grams over than the official scale, so he requested that the weights he submitted should be changed to 15 grams lower. It had to be done, so the cards had to be shuffled and reshuffled again.

According to Botoy (llamador) he brought in the system from Bicol when he attended a derby at Legazpi, Albay once.

I personally would like to than the cockers of Samar for the very warm welcome and accommodation. Mabuhay po kayo.

BAKBAKAN ’09 AGAIN AT MAKATI COLISEUM TODAY

BAKBAKAN ’09 AGAIN AT
MAKATI COLISEUM TODAY

With last year’s 2,207-entry field already broken, the supposedly last national eliminations for the 2009 Bakbakan 10-Stag National Derby takes center stage at the Makati Coliseum today with 100 entries vying to get into the winners circle and advance to the semis. An extra elimination derby had to be done on Nov. 18 at Makati Coliseum to accommodate 70 more entries who wanted to catch up.

Bakbakan 2009 is hosted by the National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders and co-presented by Thunderbird Ganador Max. A total of 150 exciting fights are lined-up which will start at 10:00 ten in the morning.

After this, the action shifts to Araneta Coliseum for the first two separate eliminations on Nov. 17 & 19.

The third national semis gets going at the Pasay Cockpit on Nov. 20, after which the hostilities enter the home stretch with seven-tiered finals, leading up to the grand finals on December 3 at the Big Dome wherein all the undefeated entries will lock horns for the highest honor a gamefowl breeder could have – a Bakbakan trophy.

Meanwhile, Samar-Leyte’s popular cocker and Thunderbird Winning Team member Bernie Tacoy, with his Ormoc Gold fighters, was added to the list of undefeated entries after scoring 3 wins out of 3 matches in the last Bakbakan elims in Cebu. His first two entries both posted 2 wins and 1 loss each.

P30M Bakbakan 2009 National 10-Stag Derby Opens Today

The biggest sabong event of the year, the P30M Bakbakan 2009 National 10-Stag Derby hosted by the National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders and co-presented by Thunderbird Ganador Max opens today as the La Union Gamefowl Breeders Association officially raise the curtain with their 3-stag eliminations set at the province’s San Juan Gymnasium.

Today’s event features more than 40 top La Union sabungeros fielding their finest young roosters against each other for the right to advance to the semis and keep their hopes alive to win the P15 million champion’s take from the P30 million total guaranteed cash prize.

With 52 separate provincial and regional eliminations to be stage nationwide, Bakbakan 2009 continues on Oct. 16 at Lipa Games Cockpit (Batangas Breeders Club); Oct. 17 at the Gallera de Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte Gamefowl Breeders Association); Oct. 17 at the New Narvacan Cockpit (United Ilocandia Gamefowl Breeders Association); Oct. 20 at the Daang-Hari Cockpit (United Cavite Breeders Ass’n); Oct. 23 again at the Lipa Games Cockpit (Batangas Breeders Club); Oct. 24 at Gallera de Legazpi (Bicol Gamefowl Breeders Ass’n) and also on Oct. 24 at San Nicolas Cockpit (United Ilocandia GBA)

National eliminations in which members of all NFGB-affiliated association may compete, are set in Makati Coliseum on Oct. 26 and on Oct. 30; in Pasay Cockpit on Nov. 3; then back in Makati Col. on Nov. 9 & 12.

BAKBAKAN 2009 DERBY STAKES P30M PRIZE PURSE

The 2009 Annual Bakbakan National 10-Stag Derby is back into its record-breaking way again as its host - the National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders (NFGB) dangles a historic guaranteed cash prize of P30,000,000 – the biggest prize purse ever in Philippine cockfighting.

The champion’s prize is a whopping P15 million. All entries who will be able to score a 3 wins (3 points) in the elimination round will share in the “first-salvo blowout” of four million peso (P4,000,000) while those entries who have already scored the perfect 3 wins in the elims and continue to score another perfect 3 wins in the semi-final round, for an over-all score of 6 wins before entering the finals,will share in the “finalists prize” of two million-pesos(P2,000,000). Last year, only 15 entries were undefeated and have posted six points each going into the finals.

For “any 7 points” – P4 million; for “any 8 points” – P2.5 million; for “any 9 points” – P1.5 million; for the overall runner-up finisher, prize is P500,000, while the champion’s handler and champion’s gaffer prizes are P400,000 and P100,000, respectively. Entry fee is P15,000.

“Bakbakan is the Filipino breeders' derby and through the years we have made sure and have put in place a proven system that ensure fairness and equal winning chance for every participant”, stated Batac, Ilocos Norte Mayor Jess Nalupta who is NFGB’s Vice President for North Luzon.

“Wingband numbers and legitimacy of stags fielded are duly authenticated by double checking with our records and not just by the basis of the breeder’s screening receipt”, Freddie Yulo - one of NFGB’s founding director, proudly announced. "all derbies are computer-matched and supervised by our well trained working committees" he adds!

THUNDERBIRD’S JESRY PALMARES IS SOLO CHAMP IN MANNY PACQUIAO DERBY

Former Passi City Mayor Jesry Palmares , one of the country’s most respected gamefowl breeders, scored a rare 9 wins and 1 draw out of ten fights to take solo championship and runner-up honors in the much talked-about bigtime 5-cock derby hosted by Manny Pacquiao & Wackee Salud last July 12 in Cebu.

A leading endorser of gamefowl industry leader Thunderbird as one of the regarded “Breeder of Breeders”, Palmares fielded two entries. The first - Southern Leyte, backed by Gov. Damian Mercado and Maasin Mayor Shepherd Tan, closed with a perfect 5-0 win-loss card to take solo victory, while, Jesry’s other entry JJT Armenic (with Kapt. Goto and Tony “Acao” Go) was just as impressive with 4.5 points. Fighting alongside Palmares is his partner Teng Rañola.

“I fielded 6 Cowans, 1 Flarry-eyed, a Bobby-grey and two imported roosters. 6 are bullstags and the rest are more than 3 years old” Jesry revealed, as he added that Thunderbird Bexan XP b-complex injectable and Thunderbird Strongard dewormer were used during conditioning.

The high stakes event held at the Gallera de Mandaue, gave out more than P4 million in cash prizes with 43 entries paying entry fee of P110,000 each.

UNAHCO WARRIORS : Officers and employees of Univet Nutrition & Animal Healthcare Company-makers of Thunderbird Power Feeds & Thunderbird Power Vet, took time out for a Baguio City tour, after the highly succesful 2009 Mid-Year Conference held from July 7 to 11 at the Camp John Hay (Manor Hotel & The Suites). In red cap is UNAHCO's President & COO Ric C. Alba

PAGE 7 - THUNDERBIRD GAMEFOWL JOURNAL JUNE-JULY 2009 EDITION

CAMINONG IS ROLIGON'S COCKER OF THE YEAR

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.

THUNDERBIRD POWERS DERBIES AT PATEROS &ROLIGON

Three consecutive exciting cocking events around Metro Manila gets powered by Thunderbird Bexan XP – the potent blood conditioner and Vetracin Gold Caps – doble galing magpagaling.

Set at Roligon Mega Cockpit on Tuesday, July 14 is the Thunderbird Strongard - backed Hatawan sa Tag-ulan 5-Cock Derby wherein a P500,000 guaranteed cash prize is at stake for an entry fee of P10,000, with a minum bet requirement of P4,400. Also up for grabs is a bonus prize of P50,000 for the fastest winner base on the last two fights. The event is hosted by cockpit owner Rolly Ligon. For more details, those interested to join may contact 851-2275, 853-1638, 852-9812; Globe #0917-7654466; Smart #0929-6904492 / 0928-4965005.

The New Pateros Coliseum comes alive on Tuesday, July 21 with the staging of the P200,000 Special 3-Cock Daytime Derby, with an entry fee requirement of P5,500 and minimum bet of P5,500. The event is hosted by Kap. Ambo Alba – Bionic and Vice Mayor Jojo Sanchez, sponsored by Vetracin Gold Caps.

THUNDERBIRD’S PAO MALVAR IS HERITAGE CUP BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPION

THUNDERBIRD’S PAO MALVAR IS HERITAGE CUP BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPION

Thunderbird’s Pao Malvar successfully defended his 2008 UGBA Heritage Cup championship title by capturing the 2009 UGBA Heritage Cup 7-Bullsatg Derby during tough the finals held last Thursday, April 23 at the Makati Coliseum, besting 355 entries from all over the country. Heritage Cup is hosted by the United Gamecock Breeders Association.

One of the youngest and most successful cocker-breeder in the country, Pao has been remarkable in his effort to continue the legacy of his grandfather – respected veteran cocker Esting Teopaco of the famed Stinger entry. Teopaco is former president Cory Aquino & Peping Cojuangco’s brother-in-law.

He is among the Thunderbird Successors that include Baham Mitra of Palawan, Bernie Tacoy of Ormoc and Alvin Lim & Victor Sierra of Cebu.

Pao, via his Sunhaven entry, fielded one pure Sweater and 6 Sweater-Gilmore cross with the famous handler Ateng doing the conditioniing and pointing chores using Thundebrird Bexan XP and the new Ganador Max. Respected gaffer Noli Estrellado tied the knife.

Pao was solo champion last year, however, this time he has to share the honors with Lito Guerra and Albert Yam

A COCKFIGHTING FESTIVAL

A COCKING FESTIVAL

Festivals abound all over the country. Whether as a political gimmick or a noble campaign to promote a province, town or city, festivals of various themes, styles and forms have been introduced through the years. Considering its success in promoting and marketing a certain locality’s tourist attractions, products, trades, culture and people, festivals have practically doubled in number during the last five years.

Bacolod City for its part has the Maskarra Festival which is one of the most popular events in the Philippines. It’s being held in the month of October and during that time the annual stag derbies of the Negros Gamefowl Breeders Association (NGBA) and the Gamefowl Breeders Association of Negros (GF-BAN) are also staged.

There’s the Bangus Festival in Dagupan, the Sambalilo Festival in Paranaque, the Magayon Festival in Albay, the Pahiyas Festival in Lukban, Quezon, Sinulog in Cebu, Dinagyang in Davao and a lot more.

There are festivals for fruits, flowers, fishes, saints etchetera, but, despite the Philippines being considered the cocking capital of the world, no rooster or cockfights festival.

If any place in the country would consider coming-up with an event to commemorate or celebrate the Filipinos’ love for cockfighting, Negros, being the traditional rooster-basket of the country, should be the choice.

Considering the economic importance of gamefowl breeding and cockfighting to Negros and the minions of cockfights’ trainers and handlers that have been provided by the island not only throughout the country but in other countries as well, it is only fitting that Negros comes up with an annual celebration with cockfighting and gamefowl breeding as its theme.

How about a “Bulang-bulang Festival” ?

Through this type of festival, we can openly introduce gamefowl breeding as a profitable alternative business and cockfighting as an exciting competitive sport and pastime in the same manner as other themes are being presented.

The “Bulang-bulang Festival” can be a joint-project of Negros Orriental and Negros Occidental and can be another big tourist attraction not only to foreign visitors but local aficionados as well.

PILILLA LAKSHORE COCKPIT

60 FIGHTS AT CAINTA COLISEUM TODAY

More than 60 matches take the limelight today at the Cainta Coliseum as hosts Gerry & Ningning welcome Cainta-regulars and top derby fighters from Taytay, Marikina, Pasig, Binanbgonan, Morong and Antipolo.

Promoted by the Golden Top Arena Promotions with General Manager Andy Abundo at the helm, Cainta Coliseum is now in full swing regaining back its clientele.

Meanwhile, hundreds of cockers have already enlist for the forthcoming Battle of Winners Super Fastest Win contest wherein the grand winner will drive home a brand new Toyota Vios.

Separate ulutan fastest win qualifying rounds are set on April 30; May 7, 14 & 21. A total of P100,00 cash prize will be up for grabs during each elimination for the top ten winners. However, all fight winners in the elims will receive a ticket that will enable them to fight in the finals, wherein a guaranteed cash prize of P500,000 is at stake in addition to the Toyota Vios.

For partriculars, call Cainta Coliseum at 655-3334.

PRINSIPE SABONG WEBSITE

Behind the scene in the set of
"Prinsipe Sabong"

For more information, go the
http://www.princeofcockfightingthemovie.com

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.

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

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

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