The cockfights last till early in the evening, and by this time our sabungero has had his weekly share of blood and sport. If luck favored him that day, he heads home with his fighter and his opponentIs dead rooster in hand. The family will feast on chicken tonight. Otherwise, he wonders what to tell his wife when she finds out what has happened to their savings.
The most fitting description of cockfighting, perhaps can be found long ago in the words of a noted fictionist: "You don't know Filipinos until you have seen some fellow who had trained a chicken for months, put it into a ring against another's rooster. He bets everything he owns on it...... If he wins, glorious; if in one pass his rooster gets its throat cut, then you will see how a philosopher takes disaster..."
(Source: Lester Ledsma. The Philippines' Premier Gambling Sport )
God was the creater.He made gamefowl fight in this manor gaffs are more humane than the natural spurs because its quicker.
The best bred rooster wins.The gambling is the only bad thing that takes place.how dare yall condemn gods work yall must be devil worshipers or something.these fowl are taken care of better than any other breed.If you dont care for them they cant win.God makes no mistakes animals fight its natural.all the activists do is kill off the roosters they get in a cockpit bust saying they cant be tamed. you dont fight a man fighting rooster because when he is done he comes after you.i say neutering animals is wrong.people should just keep their animals up.they cant they should expect puppies or kittens if they dont want that they shouldnt have them anyways.sorry if it offends but the truth hurts.god bless
Posted by: mike | January 04, 2007 at 09:09 AM
You have done a great report on human passion!
A lot of fantastic portraits.
Posted by: Still | September 27, 2006 at 03:35 AM
the thrill of winning money and glory and the defeat in losses and hunger, the lure of betting
Posted by: johnz | September 26, 2006 at 08:56 PM
Great series, Sidney. It's interesting that even losing cocks can have serve a purpose at the dinner table. You really captured all facets of this fascinating culture.
Posted by: Chris Vallancourt | September 25, 2006 at 07:17 PM
everyday an amazing shot u got it
Posted by: reza khalili | September 25, 2006 at 05:14 AM
tanks for tell us the real life of your country Sidney
Posted by: fabrizio | September 25, 2006 at 03:59 AM
Its been a great series....
Posted by: Ashwaty Nair | September 25, 2006 at 01:23 AM
Its been a very informative ride!
So whats next on the agenda ??
Posted by: Ashish Sidapara | September 25, 2006 at 12:42 AM
Oh wow ... what an amazing series, Sidney. Scary yet very informative. I now base in Manila. We should go out shooting together one of these days.
Posted by: Hendra | September 24, 2006 at 10:53 PM
Et la cendre de cigarette qui tombe
dans la soupe !!
Posted by: Gérard Méry | September 24, 2006 at 08:01 PM
Is this the end of this series?
In some way's I'm hoping it is, no more blood and wounded cocks however this was an excellent and informative piece of work.
Posted by: Mike Dougan | September 24, 2006 at 06:26 PM
Tena koe ehoa
I feel that the words from your source are too true Sidney. I have sensed the "Be all and end all" scenario of these related images. Gambling on this scale is a disease that is rife in Aotearoa as well, amongst minority and low income families.
Posted by: ndiginiz | September 24, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Wow. I like how you don't shy away from documenting everything, including some of the more brutal shots. This is an amazing series, I've learned a lot and enjoyed it very much. Thanks for sharing this with the world.
Posted by: SD | September 24, 2006 at 09:07 AM
What a life, a gambler's life.
Posted by: pieterbie | September 24, 2006 at 06:34 AM
Excellent coverage ... Thanks for bringing this aspect of philipino culture to us!
Posted by: Intern | September 24, 2006 at 05:51 AM
I can understand the fights, I can understand the cruelty, but gambling so much on a cock? Now that I don't get! Its been a very lovely series Sidney, do keep it up.
Posted by: deji77 | September 24, 2006 at 04:03 AM