- Title: PHILIPPINES: Big money is at stake at a cockfighting derby in the Philippines
- Date: 10th February 2008
- Summary: MAN IN A CHICKEN SUIT HOLDING ANTI-COCKFIGHTING PLACARD PLACARD THAT READS: "SMALL MEN HURT LITTLE BIRDS; BAN COCKFIGHTING" (SOUNDBITE) (English) JENNILYN TAGASA, CAMPAIGNER, PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS-ASIA PACIFIC (PETA) SAYING: "Tradition is not an excuse for cruelty. I mean, slavery was a tradition before, we abolished that. So hopefully, it happens wi
- Embargoed: 25th February 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Philippines
- Country: Philippines
- Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVAD24MOMFLOTHVUTBNTYYR1RZMT
- Story Text: Cockfighting remains a strong tradition in the Philippines despite animal rights activists' protests.
Whether it's a taste for blood or the thrill of betting, there's something about cockfighting that draws thousands of Filipino spectators into small and big arenas.
With prize money reaching 8 million pesos (195,000 USD), the international cock fighting derby held in Manila this week has attracted 190 participants and hundreds of betters despite fierce protests from animal rights activists.
Before the start of a fight, the cocks are displayed and bet handlers called "Kristo" flash hand signs to each other to indicate how much money their clients are willing to throw in.
Then as if choreographed, the game roosters strut into place, flap their wings, and throw kicks at each other until one is maimed by the three-inch blade, "tare", attached to their legs and the other emerges victorious.
The fightin a matter of minutes, and losing betters empty their pockets.
Cockfighting enthusiasts from Japan, Germany, Australia and the United States entered their prized breeds in the 18th World Slasher Cup competition.
The sport is illegal in many countries but remains popular in rural parts of the U.S. and in Latin America.
Bets begin at 1,000 pesos (24 USD) and sky's the limit for the final round.
"Here in the Philippines, there are a lot of breeders.
Cockfighting or 'sabong' is a gentleman's game and if you are a 'sabongero' you are seen as the greatest gentleman because you can bet as high as you want without a promissory note," said Niel Tuazon, who writes for a cockfighting magazine.
Roosters in wired cages are a common sight in many low-income neighborhoods in the Philippines, where residents breed game fowls as a sideline trade. Millions of birds are fought in the cockpit each year and most have a two-year lifespan, so demand is steady.
An enthusiast once said there are even more cockpits than churches in the predominantly Catholic country.
"I take care of fowls because I like cockfighting. Since I was a child, I've been going to cockfights and I'm still into it," said Julie Ramiro, who works in a junk shop.
Organisers of the annual World Slasher Cup promote cockfighting are not so much for the betting but want to bring together champion breeders from all over the world.
"Animal rights activists oppose this sport but I want to contend that because in this sport, the cock, the game fowl is actually glorified as a fighter. The status of the game fowl is elevated to that of a fighter. And he is being bred to do such. So it is more glorious to die in the hands of your enemy, an enemy who is also bred in such a way, than actually die in a kitchen, right," said Belle Baldoza, representative of Araneta Center, the derby organiser.
But activists from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals condemn the sport for the inevitable killing of birds.
"Tradition is not an excuse for cruelty. I mean, slavery was a tradition before, we abolished that. So hopefully, it happens with cock fighting. And when you say it's a sport, we disagree with that because it's not sportsman-like behavior to be forcing another being to do something that they do not want to do,"said PETA campaigner Jennilyn Tagasa.
However, for a national pastime that gives informal employment to thousands as breeders, bet handlers and cockpit announcers, calls to ban cock fighting are strongly opposed.
"A lot of people will lose their jobs if cockfighting is banned.
Actually, a lot of people depend on this, this is their livelihood," said Jimmy Cantrell, a bet handler.
Cockfighting in the Philippines dates back to the pre-Spanish era and is virtually a filipino national sport.
The "sentensiyador" or referee gives the fight's final verdict before the winner is sent to the "cock doctor" for any injuries. The loser becomes the winner's trophy or, dinner. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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