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.

===========================================================================

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)

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.

2009 BAKBAKAN SETS NEW RECORD; SEMIS AT THE BIG DOME ON NOV. 17 &19

2009 Bakbakan Press Release for Nov. 15

2009 BAKBAKAN SETS NEW RECORD; SEMIS AT THE BIG DOME ON NOV. 17 &19

The ongoing 2009 Bakbakan 10-Stag National Derby, presented by the National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders and Thunderbird Ganador Max moves to the Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday and Thursday (Nov. 17 & 19) for the first and second national semis of what is regarded as the most prestigious stag competition in the world.

With 2,118 entries recorded as of November 14, the NFGB, thru its President Ricoy Palmares has officially announced that the 2,207 entries registered last year will be surpassed by tomorrow, Nov. 16, when the last national eliminations is staged at the Makati Coliseum in which a minimum of 100 new entries are expected to join.

“With 100 new entries coming in, we will already get passed last year’s record by 11 entries, but then there are three other elimination events yet to be finished” , an ecstatic Palmares stated.

“I’m confident we’ll have, at the least, a total of 2,400”, Ricoy added.

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.

For more details, please contact Boy San Pedro or Dong Lamoste at 911-2928 or 911-3101 loc. 8361 or 8351 or text 2009 Bakbakan hotline 0917-3504333.

DON'T BLAME THEM FOR WATCHING THE "FIGHT"

CARREO by Rolando S. Luzong

Peoples Tonight (November 14, 2009)

DON’T BLAME THEM FOR

WATCHING THE “FIGHT”

Please stop all these bickering about politicians going to Las Vegas to watch Manny Pacquaio fight. If I have the money, I will go too.

We should know that every single audience inside the MGM Grand during the fight will be an additional inspiration and encouragement for our hero, especially now that he’s fighting another country’s national hero.

As one cocker put it, “Iba kung nandoon ka mismo. Dito lahat tayo maka-Manny, eh dun pwedeng ang mga katabi mo dun naman kampi sa kalaban”.

And don’t be surprise if you see any of the many presidentiables jumping up and down and be the first to climb up the ring once Cotto is counted out. If any of you would-be-presidents is having second thoughts of going to Las Vegas, then GOOO!!! Rest assure, the Filipinos will understand, because if they have the money, I’m sure they will go too.

LET THE CHILDREN KNOW

As you and your family watch the Pacman-Cotto fight tomorrow, see to it that before the fisticuffs begin, you have explained to your wife, sons and daughters and all the others with you what this particular fight means not only for Manny, but also for the Filipinos and the world of boxing.

Tell them that if Manny wins, he will be the only boxer in the world that has ever won 7 championship titles in 7 different weights divisions. Tell them that once Manny achieved the feat, he will not only be the first boxer to have 7 titles, but maybe the only boxer forever to have done it.

Let them know that Pacquiao grew up without father; that only his mother Aling Dionisia who raised Manny and five other siblings; that Manny and his family was so poor before that there are days when they were only were to eat one meal; tell them that Manny started fighting at the age of 12 just to earn some cash so he can buy rice; that Manny had ambition and he gave and did everything to realize it; that there were times when he suffered defeats but that he stood up and fought again.

Don’t forget to tell them that they should be proud for being a Filipino because Manny Pacquiao is a Filipino, but most of all tell them that Manny has a big faith in God and that Manny said. “Don’t tell God that you have a big problem, but instead, tell your problem that you have a big God”.

SEE YOU AT THE BIG DOME TOMORROW

The first thing that my son asked after scrutinizing my Pacquiao-Cotto Araneta Coliseum tickets was “Papa, why is it that the Patron ticket is cheaper that the Upper A section?”.

I smiled because he had a point. Probably you are wandering too.

Anyway, the reason is, because due to the immense size of the screens, it will be hard for anyone to watch if he is too close. Imagine a 30-foot screen in front of you. Once you’re placed so near the huge screen, you’ll probably be bothered with a painful stiff neck after the fight. Pray that it will not go the distance.

JOB WELL DONE…NELBA

Let me congratulate the North Eastern Luzon Breeders Association with their entry NELBA, which won the UGBA 10-Stag Big Event Derby at the Makati Coliseum last Wednesday, November 11.

Leading the NELBA Team is Thunderbird Winning Team member Cong. Larry Wacnang of Kalinga and Engr. Moises Almuete of Nueva Vizcaya, with Reyton Castillo, Joven Banez, Nelson Uy, Raffy Julito ang Dr. Martin.

The specially prestigious derby has a one-day 10-stag format with an entry fee requirement of P88,000 each.

Sharing the honors as co-champion is the entry Pamaskong Handog Team Supreme owned by Allan Cong & Dalwin Yulangco.

RGBA AWARDS TODAY, CONGRATS TO THE WINNERS

Pros Antonio – 2009 Stag Breeder of the Year and the tandem of Joey & Ariel Alcantara will lead Rizal Gamefowl Breeders Association’s top members as the RGBA honors its best and finest in the RGBA Awarding Ceremony & party to be held at the East Ridge Gold Club from one to four in the afternoon.

Congratulations…to all the awardees.

PACQUIAO AT THE BIG DOME, MY CHOICE

CARREO by Rolando S. Luzong
Peoples Tonight (November 11, 2009)

PACQUIAO AT THE BIG DOME, MY CHOICE

By now, every Filipino who is thinking of watching the Pacquiao – Cotto fight on Sunday, November 15 is weighing all options on where he will watch the much talked about match.


For this writer, since the promoters of the Pacman fights decided not to sell pay-per-views to residences anymore, I have tried probably all places watching our very own Manny – the Great beat the hell out of his last several opponents. They are so many indeed that all of us have gotten use to see the Pacman raised his hands in victory every fight’s end.


First, in our kanto with the rest of the neighbors; second in a restaurant; third at the Aliw Theatre in the CCP Complex and last time was at the Araneta Coliseum, where I probably shouted to the top of my lungs when Manny treated us to the unexpected second round demolition of Ricky Hatton.

Of the four venues, my experience in Araneta was incomparable, despite the bout not going the distance. On my way to the Big Dome that day, I thought the big screen be put in one side, probably where the dugouts are located and the audience will all be facing in one direction. I was surprise to find out that there will be four big screens facing each side of east, west, north and south.


We were, I believe, no less than 15,000 that day and the feeling was as if you are really there where the bout was being held.


While the round girls in the screen are doing their thing in during the breaks, there were actual round girls in flesh acting as round girls on stage.


The sound is so crisp that one can hear even the breathing of the boxers.

I was jumping and punching the air after Hatton was floored and it felt like I have expelled every bad whatever inside my body, because it really felt good.

There are lots of choices for everyone who doesn’t want to wait for the snail-paced, commercial-infested broadcast, but for me, I will go back to Las Vegas, I mean…Araneta Coliseum.

AMAZING SAN JUAN COLISEUM

For the first time, I had the chance to get inside and see the new San Juan Coliseum during a meeting with its owner Mr. Bong Pineda. And the first thing I uttered was, “awesome”. Well, it was really the right word for me, knowing how San Juan Coliseum was before Pineda bought it and did the incredible.

I worked at SJC during the early ‘90s and I just can’t see any piece of the old edifice or even a semblance of it anymore.

The air-conditioning is the first thing that one who had not been in the new SJC, but have been in the old SJC will notice.

Every inch of the floor is clean and you won’t see even a speck of trash. The restaurant, the coffee shop and lounge will make you forget that you’re in a cockpit, but instead is inside a 5-star hotel.

There are cameras everywhere. So many in fact that I thought they were just part of the architecture or interior design, until I was invited by top man Ariel inside the control room where there are, three or four, huge LCD screens where everything happening inside the Coliseum is well-monitored.

Even a bettor who will deny his bet after the rooster to which he bet on loses, will not be able to get away because things can be replayed and reviewed that anyone who bet can be identified including to whom he bet against with.

BAKBAKAN MOVES TO ARANETA

The first of several national eliminations of the ongoing 2009 Bakbakan 10-Stag National Derby will begin at the Araneta Coliseum on Monday, November 17 wherein qualifiers from the October 26 – elims in Makati Coliseum and from the Rizal Gamefowl Breeders Association two preliminaries plus the ones who survived the first salvo of the Bulacan Gamefowl Breeders Association will lock horns for the right to advance to the finals and closer to the P15,000,000 champion’s prize from the P30 million total guaranteed cash prize.

Good luck, may the breeder with the best roosters win…

A ‘Sabungero’ in the Cover of Times Magazine!!!

CARREO by Rolando S. Luzong

Peoples Tonight (November 7,, 2009)

A ‘Sabungero’ in the Cover of Times Magazine!!!

Time Magazine’s latest issue has our very own Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao on its cover – the first time a Filipino is featured since 1986 when Cory Aquino landed in Time’s front page, right after Ferdinand Marcos was toppled.

Pacquiao is also only the 9^th boxer ever presented as the cover story of the highly-respected periodical in its long history. Boxers as top story are Patrick Dempsey – 1923; James Tunney – 1926; Max Schmelling – 1929; Primo Carnera – 1921; Joe Louis – 1941; Sugar Ray Robinson – 1951; Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) – 1953; Muhammad Ali & Joe Frazier – 1971; Muhammad Ali – 1979; Mike Tyson – 1988 and Manny Pacquiao – 2009. Ali being the most colorful boxer of all times, appeared three times.

As a Filipino, I am extremely proud, but as someone who belongs to the sabong community in the country, I am doubly delighted because of the fact that Manny is one of us. Manny being a sabungero is Manny’s nature being a true Filipino. Excuse the language, but that’s the truth. 1 out 10 Pinoys are either a cockfighter, have a job that is directly or indirectly related to cockfight or has a relative, friend, neighbor or acquaintance who is involved in cockfighting.

Every Filipino knows Manny Pacquiao and is aware about Manny’s fondness for sabong. In fact, when Manny won solo championship of the P550K-entry-fee Pacman Big Event Derby in San Juan Coliseum early this year, witnesses related that Manny was so happy and honored that he was even hugging and kissing the trophy that he received.

As a Filipino father, I patiently explain to my sons what Pacquiao has achieved, not only for himself, but also for our country and how much obstacles he had to overcome before he was able to achieve what he has accomplished.

Don’t look now, but it must be realized that the lone congressional seat of Saranggani province is looming to be a must-see political bout next year between Pacquiao – the boxer-cocker and the Chiongbians - a family of cockfighters with the late Congressman James Chiongbian being one of the most revered Filipino sabungero ever. I wonder who the sabungeros of Saranggani will vote.

When Manny was the cover story of Reader’s Digest, I bought two copies of the same issue of Digest for the first time. Now, I think I just have to have a copy of Time Magazine’s Pacman edition just to have a part of history.

Congratulations Manny, I just wish that the honor bestowed by Time Magazine adds more speed and power to your punches. Don’t deny us the prospect of watching silencing the blabber-boxer that is Floyd Mayweather, Jr., get Cotoo out of the way on November 14.

NFGB MEDICAL MISSION MOVED

The scheduled medical mission of the National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders on November 15 in the Malasique Coliseum in Malasique, Pangasinan has been moved earlier to Nov. 14 (Saturday), while the one set at the San Mateo Cockpit in San Mateo, Rizal on Sunday, Nov. 15 will be held on Nov. 22 also a Sunday.

If you are wondering why, just think what’s happening on November 15 and you’ll understance why. Anyway, it’s not because the NFGB people or the doctors can not be available because of the Pacquiao-Cotto fight, but because it is feared that the people that NFGB would like to help will not be able to come because they will be glued to their televisions watching the bout.

Unilab will be donating medicines, for and in behalf of the Univet Nutriton & Animal Healthcare Company – owner of Thunderbird Power Feeds and Thunderbird Power Vet.

RGBA LINES UP 100 FIGHTS TODAY AT PSG

Manila Bulletin (November 7, 2009)

RGBA LINES UP 100 FIGHTS TODAY AT PSG

All roads lead to Pasig Square Garden today for thousands of derby aficionados as the Rizal Gamefowl Breeders Association 17-Stag Circuit continues with second elimination of the 5-stag first leg event. 100 tough fights are set to provide another action-packed event with the first pair of protagonists due to open the hostilities at 2:00 p.m.

Another Minami 21” flatscreen tv will be raffled off again today all ticket holders. In addition, to be awarded as consolation prizes are tickets to the premier showing of the much-awaited movie “Sabungero : Dangal at Tibay” set on Sunday, Sept. 27 at SM Megamall and Gateway Mall. The movie is produced by JC Bernardo (owner of sabong.net.ph) and exclusively sponsored by Thunderbird Bexan XP – for extreme performance

To provide exciting pit action are Thunderbird Winning Team member 2007 Breeder of the Year Dr. Boy Tuazon (Chickababe); international derby champion Jack Chung with World Slasher Cup titlist William Go, RGBA Stag Breeder of the Year Ljay Sumulong, defending RGBA Stag Fighter of the Year Dr. Nelson Tee, Biboy Enriquez, , , Bakbakan 2006 champ Gengen Arayata, Binangonan Mayor Boyet Ynares, , Fil-Am Alex Calderon, master breeder Dong Lacson of Iloilo, Jojo Gatlabayan, veteran roostermen Larry Amante & Eddie Boy Ochoa and Americans Marshall Greir & James Stark and

Winners today will join the list of early finalists from last week’s elims for the championship set on Thursday (Oct. 1).

The second leg of the RGBA 17-Stag Series is a 7-Stag Derby set on Oct. 8 (3 stag elims) and Oct.15 (4 stag finals).

Capping the series is a one-day 5-Stag Derby on the 22nd of October, while RGBA’s 3-stag eliminations for the P30M Bakbakan 2009 10-Stag National Derby will be held on Nov. 5 also at Pasig Square Garden.

BAKBAKAN RETURNS TO MAKATI COLISEUM TODAY

With a total of 924 entries already registered and competed in 22 out 54 elimination events, as of October 31, the 2009 Bakbakan 10-Stag National is well on its way to another record-breaking year, even as 60 more entries add up to the list as they participate in the third national preliminaries set today at the Makati Coliseum.
With a historic P30 million guaranteed cash prize, Bakbakan 2009 is hosted by the National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders and co-presented by Thunderbird Ganador Max. A total of 90 exciting fights are lined-up which will start at 2:00 p.m.

“We’re happy to see the good results of our efforts”, says NFGB Director & Batangas Breeders Club President Fred Katigbak.

Bicol Gamefowl Breeders Association (BIGBA) registered 97 entries; La Union (LUGBA) - 33; United Cavite (UCBA) - 88; Batangas Breeders Club - 146; Bulacan (BGBA) - 23; Zamboanga Gamefowl Breeders Ass’n (ZGBA) - 19; Zamboanga del Norte (ZNGBA) - 34; the United Ilocandia Gamefowl Breeders (UNIGBA) – 93; Negros Oriental (GBANO) – 24; Pangasinan (GBAP) – 31; Palawan (GPGBI) – 36; Bulacan (BGBA) – 23; Laguna (LAGBA) – 34; Vizcaya/Ifugao (VIGBA) – 19; national elims in Makati last October 26 had 45 and Pasay Cockpit-held national elims in Oct. 30 – 44. Added to these are the entries from 7 simultaneous provincial and regional qualifying rounds held in Oct. 31.
Next Bakbakan elims in Makati Coliseum are on Nov. 9, 12 & 16.