Pangunahing saksi sina Tourism- Isabela Manjon, Universe- Suancey Supsup at International Dianne Necio sa ginanap na pagbubukas ng 2011 WORLD SLASHER CUP-2 8 COCK INTERNATIONAL DERBY sa Araneta Center Quezon City. Kasama sa larawan sina Boy Marzo at Grandy Malong habang hawak ang kanilang manok na panlaban sa nasabing Derby. (Photo By: Robert Gines)
Love it or hate it, there are some things that are truly ingrained in one’s culture that make them who they are. Bullfighting for instance is as basic to the Spanish culture as eating tapas or dancing the flamenco. On the other side of the world, cockfighting is as ingrained to Filipinos as the Christmas belenor the lechon during each fiesta.
Bullfighting has existed for thousands of years since the time of Emperor Claudius two thousand years ago. Cockfighting has been in the Philippines for thousands of years. It has become so popular that the sport appeals to both the upper and lower echelons of society.
In Spain, the bullfighting season runs from April until September, usually on a Sunday. Then there are the special bull festivals such as the Pamplona Running of Bulls which is one of the most famous yet chaotic yet exciting experiences one can have. People run in front of the bulls apparently to taunt them and test their emotional quotient and patience. The bulls that take part in the morning run fight in the afternoon.
In the Philippines, the sabongsessionsthat takeplace in almost every small townduring Sundays has its own adrenalin rush. Imagine this scene. Hundreds of sabungeros (mostly male) converge, haggling loudly and simultaneously in quick succession as kristos take bets right and left. The passion for the sport is so strong that the country even hosts the annual World Slasher Cup at the historic Araneta Coliseum. This year, the derby brings together a record-breaking figure or more than 250 entries from the most celebrated cock breeders for the prestigious championship. Hosted by the Pintakasi of Champions and presented by BMeg, the bi-annual cockfighting derby also has Thunderbird and Sagupaan as its major sponsors.
Unlike golf, cockfighting is not an elitist sport a great equalizer. You see the ordinary mortals or simple folk such as kristos and cock caretakers mixing it up with showbiz personalities and politicians. The sport breaks up perceived social and economic barriers in our society. In the cockpit, whether it be the small town sabungans, or large arenas such as the Araneta Coliseum that can accommodate 17,000 persons, the passion is pretty much of the same dizzying levels. When the sabungeros place their bets – they all become equal.
Then there is the issue of animal cruelty. Devotedsabungeros claim that the number of cocks that die each year during sabong battles pales in comparison to the number of animals dying in unfit slaughterhouses than in the cockpit.For the time they are alive,these coclers live like kings.
They are pampered with vitamins, shampoos, air-conditioned quarters, and even massages, all to ensure their viciousness during battle. Others contend that the bird is eaten afterwards hence there is no waste.
Cockfighting is so fascinating that it has even captivated the fancy of certain artists. Numerous art forms depict cockfighting in several aspects – from the flurry of feathers to the passion of the sabungeros. Over at the high-end Gateway Complex right beside the Araneta Coliseum, one marvels at the intricate artwork of white rooster cutouts. During the Philippine Independence Day Celebration in 2002, the lobby of the Philippine Center at Fifth Avenue, New York displayed the works of Fil-Am artists Lenore RS Lim, Christina QuisumbingRamilo, Athena Magcase Lopez, Reno Marquez, Mario Fernandez and Al Ompod in an exhibit called “Sa Pula, Sa Puti”. Angel Cacnio’s painting entitled “Sabong” utilizes cleverly utilizes color and imagery to depict the intensity of the sport.
Cockfighting also gives livelihood to thousands and rakes in the tourism revenues. And then there are some fortunate individuals whose kristoskill has gained for them international recognition. In a recent global memory contest, former small town kristo, Roberto MangaranRacasa wowed the world when he memorized 3 decks of shuffled cards and replicated them perfectly in order. He said that his teenage years as a kristo developed his memory skills.
Yes, there are some traditions and cultural intricacies that divide opinion. For every sabungero or cock breeder willing to defend their sport, there are those who just see the gladiator aspect of the sport. Still, the practice goes on. Despite clamor from animal rights activists, even the European Union is not banning bullfighting recognizing the tourism revenues it pulls in. In the Philippines, with the record-breaking number of entries in the 2011 World Slasher Cup that will lock tares from January 17 to 23 at the Big Dome, sabongis definitely here to stay.###
The world’s best game fowl breeders and cockfighting aficionados will get to see up close every minute detail of sabong frenzy when the 2011 World Slasher Cup unfolds at the Big Dome on January 17, 2011.
Cockfighting, which in the Philippines,is more than just a pastime, is deeply entrenched in the Filipino culture. Rough estimates show that about 8 to 10 million of the population engages in the sport. This is why it is important for the usual deluge of spectators that flock to the 2011 World Slasher Cup to have a ringside view of the action.Sabong is a great equalizer in a country where there’s a gap between the rich and poor. The new LED scoreboard or the Big Cube at the Big Dome pretty much in a similar way equalizes the enjoyment of the action whether from the upper stands or from the VIP area. Cockfighting aficionados will see the action unfold in amazingly vivid picture clarity and unbelievable angles from the Big Cube. Everyone, from kristos to sabungeros to breeders will be pulled in to the tremendous energy generated by the exciting cockfights simply because they will see in stark detail and projected from four sides, the images of the best game fowl of the world. The Big Cube, which boasts of the distinct feature of 10-millimeter pixel pitch projected from four sides, is the biggest indoor system in the country rivaling even the system installed in the Dallas Cowboys Stadium that has a 20-millimeter pitch.
This year, more than 250 past title-holders and challengers from all over the world are poised to slug it out and grab the prestige from reigning champ Engr. Sonny Magtibay.Included in the roster are entries from the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Guam and Australia. The list is a veritable who’s who in the world of cockfighting. Enthusiasts include Roger Roberts, Ray Alexander, Wilber le Blanc, Carol Nesmith and Jorge Goitia (USA), Mar Gatmaitan and SedfreyLinsangan (Guam), Mark Salazar (Malaysia), Mike Formosa (Hawaii) and locals Biboy Enriquez, the Madlambayan brothers, Gov. Ito Ynares, Sonny Lagon, Gerry Ramos, Philip Chiongbian, Boy Marzo, Raymond Velayo and Cong. Claude Bautista and many more.
Dubbed as the Olympics of Cockfighting, World Slasher Cup 2011 is hosted by the Pintakasi of Champions and presented by B-Meg. The bi-annual event is also brought to you by Thunderbird and Sagupaan. Derby dates are January 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, & 23.
Matututukan na ng lahat ng manonood sa Big Dome ang bawat detalye ng matinding sagupaan ng mga tandang na makakalahok sa 2011 World Slasher Cup na gaganapin mula Enero 17 hanggang 23, 2011.
Mahigit na 250 na panabong ang nakaumang na makipagsagupaan sa 48th edition ng tinaguriang Olympics of Cockfighting. Sa Pilipinas kase, ang sabong ay higit sa pampalipas oras o hilig lamang. Ayon sa mga ulat, mahigit na 8 milyun sa kasalukuyang populasyon ng Pilipinas ay sabungero o mga cock breeder. Dahil dito ay laging dinadagsa ng mga tao ang World Slasher Cup. Mula sa 60 na manonood nuon unang pagtatanghal ng World Slasher sa Big Dome nun 1960s, lumobo na ng libu-libong sabong aficionados ang nagpupunta sa mga derby dates nito. Ang sabong rin ang tinaguriang “great equalizer” dahil sa isang bansa kung saan matindi ang agwat ng mahirap at mayaman, sa loob ng sabungan, tila lahat ay pantay-pantay sa pagkagiliw sa sport na sabong.
Ito ang dahilan kung bakit kamakailan lang ay pinalitan ng Araneta Coliseum ang kanilang lumang scoreboard at kinabit ang bagong scoreboard na tinawag nilang Big Cube. Dahil dito ay malinaw na makikita ng lahat ng manonood mula sa lahat ng sulok ng Araneta Coliseum ang aksyon at makulay na labanan na nagaganap sa sentro. Dahil sa 10-millimeter pitch ng Big Cube, at sa apat na projected sides sa parisukat nitong porma, mistulang nasa ringside na rin ang imaheng makikita kahit na nakapuwesto sa upper box. Ang Big Cube ay mas malinaw pa kaysa sa system na nakalagay sa Dallas Cowboys Stadium.
Mahigit na 250 na challenger at dating champion mula sa buong mundo ang magsasagupa sa 2011 World Slasher Cup. Lahat sila ay pupuntiryahin na agawin ang trono mula sa kasalukuyang kampeon na si Engr. Sonny Magtibay. Kasama rin sa listahan ang mga pinakamagaling na game fowl mula sa America, Canada, Guam, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, Australia at iba pa. Kabilang sa mga cock breeder at sabong enthusiast sina Roger Roberts, Ray Alexander, Wilber le Blanc, Carol Nesmith and Jorge Goitia (USA), Mar Gatmaitan and Sedfrey Linsangan (Guam), Mark Salazar (Malaysia), Mike Formosa (Hawaii), mga locals tulad nina Biboy Enriquez, Madlambayan brothers, Gov. Ito Ynares, Sonny Lagon, Gerry Ramos, Philip Chiongbian, Boy Marzo, Raymond Velayo, Cong. Claude Bautista at marami pang iba.
Ang 2011 World Slasher Cup ay handog ng Pintakasi of Champions at may presentor na B-Meg.Kasama rin sa mga sponsor ang Thunderbird at Sagupaan. Ang mga petsa ng derby dates ay Enero 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, at 23.
