s

COCKFIGHTING AMUSEMENT OR “SABONG”: ITS IMPACT ON THE

LIVES OF BAYBAYANON “SABONGEROS”

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE SUBJECT CRIMINOLOGY 6

(CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND STATISTICS)

SUBMITTED BY:

SUBMITTED TO:

MARCH 2020
 CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Background of the Study

A cockfight is a blood sport between two cocks, or gamecocks, held in a

ring called a cockpit. The history of raising fowl for fighting goes back 6,000

years. The first documented use of the word gamecock, denoting use of the cock

as to a "game", a sport, pastime or entertainment, was recorded in 1634,[1] after

the term "cock of the game" used by George Wilson, in the earliest known book

on the sport of cockfighting in The Commendation of Cocks and Cock Fighting in

1607. But it was during Magellan's voyage of discovery of the Philippines in 1521

when modern cockfighting was first witnessed and documented by Antonio

Pigafetta, Magellan's chronicler, in the kingdom of Taytay.

The combatants, referred to as gamecocks (not to be confused with game

birds), are specially bred and conditioned for increased stamina and strength.

Male and female chickens of such a breed are referred to as game fowl.

Cocks possess congenital aggression toward all males of the same species.

Wagers are often made on the outcome of the match.

Cockfighting was already flourishing in pre-colonial Philippines, as

recorded by Antonio Pigafetta, the Italian diarist aboard Ferdinand Magellan’s

1521 expedition. Cockfighting in the Philippines is derived from the fact that it

shares elements of Indian and other Southeast Asian cultures, where the jungle

fowl (bankivoid) and Oriental type of chicken are endemic.

 Cockfighting is a blood sport due in some part to the physical trauma the

cocks inflict on each other, which is sometimes increased by attaching metal spurs

to the cocks' natural spurs. While not all fights are to the death, the cocks may

endure significant physical trauma. In some areas around the world, cockfighting

is still practiced as a mainstream event; in some countries it is regulated by law, or

forbidden outright. Advocates of the "age old sport"[2][3] often list cultural and

religious relevance as reasons for perpetuation of cockfighting as a sport.[4]

Cockfighting, locally termed sabong, is a popular pastime in

the Philippines, where both illegal and legal cockfights occur. Legal cockfights

are held in cockpits every week, whilst illegal ones, called tupada or tigbakay, are

held in secluded cockpits where authorities cannot raid them. In both types,

knives or gaffs are used. There are two kinds of knives used in Philippine

cockfighting: single-edged blades (used in derbies) and double-edged blades;

lengths of knives also vary. All knives are attached on the left leg of the bird, but

depending on agreement between owners, blades can be attached on the right or

even on both legs. Sabong and illegal tupada, are judged by a referee

called sentensyador or koyme, whose verdict is final and not subject to any

appeal.

Bets are usually taken by the kristo, so named because of his outstretched hands

when calling out wagers from the audience and skillfully doing so purely from

memory. Sabong is more than just entertainment. The sport is considered as a

very important culture to the Philippines people. Cockfighting in the country dates

back 6000-years ago, which could have a played a big role in its legalization. In
fact, the sport is considered to be the country’s national sport, second to

basketball.

Cockfighting is illegal in many parts of the world but since it is considered

tradition it is allowed in the Philippines to this day. While the government has

regulated the industry and optimized how they make money off the traditions,

illegal cockfighting is still rampant across the islands. Illegal cockfights take place

across the islands and especially in rural locations. There are an estimated 2,500

cockpits spread out over the 7,100 islands that make up the Philippines. There are

betting terminals and legal bookies at the cockpits that players can place their

bets. Sabong has been quoted as being a billion-dollar industry in the Philippines

and since it is so popular there are several ways for a bettor to bet on cockfighting

while in the Philippines. The most popular way to get a legal bet in is to go to a

cockpit and place a bet with a licensed bookie. but the Philippines have made it

clear that domestic online Sabong betting is illegal.

Quezon City and Manila have both cracked down on operators offering

online betting for cockfights. Local government code is specific in the fact that

Sabong must be regulated and bets can only be taken within the jurisdiction in

which the cockfight is held.

Even if an online betting site has secured business permits to operate, they

must obtain an explicit approval or a grant of franchise by the city council to

operate legally, which neither city has authorized. Since there is no formal online

regulation, placing bets on the illegally operated sites is a high-risk and players

could fall victim to scams or potentially have their winnings confiscated. Legally
sanction Philippine friendly sportsbooks do not offer betting lines for cockfighting

but do accept bets for other combat sports such as boxing, mixed martial arts

(MMA).

The appreciation of cockfight on the Philippines is also expressed in the

following sarcastic phrase: "When a Filipinos house catches fire, he first rescues

his gamecock, then his wife, and then his kids". The aphorism reveals that

cockfighting is primarily a masculine domain on the Philippines. And perhaps

there is also some truth in the phrase that cocks are the real competitors of

Philippine wives.

Cockfighting (Sabong) is after basketball the second-most popular hobby

in the country. Even so, in town areas and in the upper classes it has to compete

with other sports. In rural areas it remains very popular. Cockfighting is a big

business. This industry makes a turnover from more than a billion pesos. Also

multi-national companies like San-Miguel Corporation, Novartis or Bayer

compete for market shares in the growing market of fodder or additives. Since

almost every Barangay has a game pit, at least temporarily, the number of game

pits is far more than ten thousand. Philippines is regarded as "a cockfight-

paradise". There is a calculation that in the Philippines each year between seven

to thirteen million cocks are designated to fight.

Already Rizal mentioned in his novel "Noli me Tangere" the "national

vice" of cockfighting. For the ex-president Marcos cockfighting was so important

to pass a "Cock-fighting Law" in 1974, "to protect and to promote an institution

of national heritage". Ten cockfight-magazines as well as three TV-programs and

a radio station have the cockfight as editorial main topic. Although the cockfight

is on a withdrawal worldwide, there are apologists - you find them for example on

http://ads.sabong.com.ph - proclaiming that this sport has "evolved from the

wisdom of Asian culture and tradition". They try "to make cockfighting an

international hobby that would promote peace and brotherhood among the people

of the world" (!). However, it is questionable if sport as a competition activity

with polarizing effects can do this in general.

Under historical perspective cockfighting was and is not only located in

the Philippines. Cockfight events are also known in the European antiquity - in

Greece and in Old Rome, furthermore in the Near East and in India. In England

the fight was practiced for centuries, but in 1849 cockfight became illegal.

Although the presidents Washington and Lincoln have been cockfight proponents,

the fight is nowadays only authorized in five states of the United States. There it

is more a marginal of sport with low-status. It could still be found – sometimes

with less bloody arrangement - in Central America, the Caribbean, Thailand and

illegally in Indonesia. Rizal´s remark, the Spaniards would have imported the

cockfight onto Philippines in order to give an outlet for the frustrations of the

colonization, is incorrect. According to prevailing opinion the fight was already

spread in the country before the arrival of the Spaniards. They had an ambivalent

attitude to cockfighting. On the one side cockfighting was for them source of

enrichment, because they got money from licences and entry fees. On the other

side cockpits have been places for rebels. The Americans, who replaced the

Spaniard, took a detached view of the sport. They critiqued the "barbarian" sport
in a puritanical attitude and tried to replace it through the sport of tennis or

baseball.

The governments of the Philippines never banned cockfighting. Former

ex-president Marcos installed a Commission on Game fowl, which controls the

licensing of cockpits and issues permits for fights and breeders. One of this

regulations forbids all municipal officials any managerial or proprietor function in

the cockpit. Even so, this regulation is on paper only.

The country has hosted several World Slasher Cup derbies, held

biannually at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, where the world's

leading game fowl breeders gather. World Slasher Cup is also known as the

"Olympics of Cockfighting". The World Gamefowl Expo 2014 was held in the

World Trade Center Metro Manila.

.Statement of the Problem

Cockfighting is one of the fastest growing amusement nationwide. Here in

Baybay City, sabong is already a long time tradition held in holidays, weekends

and barangay fiestas. Hundreds of “sabongeros” are gathered together in different

cockpits. There are lot of cockpits scattered in the city and all of this are legally

permitted by the Sports and Amusement Board of the city. There are also illegal

cockfights held in every different rural areas in the city or they called “tigbakay”.

This type of cockfights does not have “ariva” or tax on the agreed bet and done

casually for pleasure and fun. “tigbakay” is subject for police raids there are

already lot people imprisoned and facing particular penalty.

 Cockfighting craze in the city grows faster. Some make it already a way of

living like being “kristo” in the cockpit. Those who tame cocks expense bigger

amount of money in the conditioning of their chickens. Every “sabongeros” has

one common goal to win and gain money. Like every sport, altercations and

misunderstanding is inevitable. Controversy on the fights, miscommunication on

the bets are the common ones. Behind this amusement, money, time, and effort is

at risk. Money to bet in every cockfight or “sultada”, time consume in the cockpit

and effort to win and gain money for this well-known cock sport.

Along with this, individual responsibility should not be taken for granted.

Responsibility to buy basic commodities like food, shelter, and clothing, for

monthly basis payments like water, electricity, and gas. Including the intangible

needs like family bonding and own needs like spiritual, mental and emotional.

This study focuses on the impact of the well-known sports on the lives of

Baybayanon “sabongeros”. To how it affects them financially and emotionally.

Objective of the Study

Along with the main objective:

 determine the impact of cockfighting on the lives of Baybayanon

“sabongeros”.

This study will be able to:

1. determine the socio-demographic characteristic of the respondents.

2. determine the reasons for being a cockfighter or “sabongero”.

 3. determine the financial effect of cockfighting among cockfighters or

“sabongeros”.

4. determine the emotional effect of cockfighting among cockfighters or

“sabongeros”.

5. give knowledge and better understanding on cockfighting among

readers.

6. provide beneficial feedback on the subject matter.

7. provide reliable results that could be a basis for better understanding of

cockfighting.

Hypothesis

Based on the observation of the researchers cockfighting has huge impact

on the lives “sabongeros” as cited in this study it has great effect in the financial

aspect, emotional, and relationship on family and among others.

Financially, its impact depends if the “sabongeros” win or lose his money.

If he continuously win then it helps if otherwise then it wouldn’t. the researchers

also noticed that uncontrolled betting lead to financial crisis. Another is

cockfighting leads to another vices such as drinking alcohol and smoking

ciggerates.

Emotionally, “sabongeros” usually aggressive and loud. They represents

masculinity and manhood. They are also loud and cunning as what the sport

required. In terms of family relationship they have less time and bonding because

they are on the cockpit every weekends.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study is conducted in Baybay City, Leyte and uses 50 male

“sabongeros” as respondents. The gathered data was based on the respondent’s

answers on the survey questionnaires. The result of this study was also based on

respondent’s answers and treated statistically by the researchers.

The primary purpose of the study is to determine the direct impact of

cockfighting and to give knowledge and basic understanding of the sport. This

study does not promote nor prohibit cockfighting as found in the result of this

study.

Significance of the Study

This study is beneficial to the following:

First to “sabongeros” or cockfighters, this study provide deeper knowledge

and understanding of the sports. The knowledge and understanding embedded in

this study could be a tool of appreciation and healthy participation of

cockfighting. And most importantly the result of this study could be a basis of

good decision making for oneself and family for those who are into this

amusement. This study could also be a mean of self-reflection that enable them to

balance their time and effort and knows priority before engaging into

cockfighting.

This study wants to eliminate the stigma that cockfighting is a vice that

need to be stop or a form of cruelty on animals. This research promote

cockfighting as a rich tradition of Filipinos and one of the strongest industry in

terms of business. Cockfighting as the heart of raising chickens and game fowls

also help Filipinos to have job and invite investors and minor entrepreneurs to

have business in the country.

This study also reveals the good and bad practices or do’s and don’ts of

cockfighting. For “sabongeros” cockfighting should not be detrimental to strong

family ties or should not be a reason for misunderstanding of husband and wife.

Sabong should not lead to addiction or mental misconduct it should serve as stress

reliever or mean of getting rid of tiredness.

Definition of Terms

Cockfighting or “sabong”- is a blood sport between two cocks, or

gamecocks, held in a ring called a cockpit.

Cockpit- arena where the two cockfifgts. Usually made of fiber glass.

Classical cockpit is usually made of bamboo.

Sultada- term used for succession of fights. “sultada” depends on the

management, if there are lot roosters then “sultada” is many.

Tigbakay- illegal cockfights held in rural areas. Usually done in remote

area where the police hardly notice.

Kristo- persons who calls out for bet. They have boss or financier they

shouts hard to find bet.

Ariba- tax given to the committee this is to maintain the orderliness of the

cockpit and sign of legality of the sport.

 Cock- the fighting bird. They undergo different conditioning process and

the main subject of the sport.

Gaffers- one who attach the steel blade. Their incmo depends if the cock

wins or not.

Koyme- verdict of the fight. They have the crucial role in the fight

specially if the fight is closed. They are often called “sentinsyador”.

Methodology of the research

This research used survey questionnaire in collecting of data. The

researcher prepared a set of questions to be answered by the respondent in order

to come up with the possible result

Research design and respondents of the Study

Population Sampling

Data Gathering Procedures

Validation of Instruments

Statistical treatment of Data

CHAPTER II

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Graph 1. Reasons for being a cockfighter “sabongero”

 Habit

Peer Pressure

Addiction

A way of life to make a living

0 2 4 6

Graph 2. Does engaging into cockfighting affects your emotions.

 Yes No

Graph 3. Financially do you really invest into cockfighting or

sabong ?
 Yes No

Graph 4. Is cockfighting do affect your relationship towards to

your family and friends.

 Yes No

CHAPTER III

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATION

Summary of findings

Conclusions

Recommendations

Bibliography

Appendices

Curriculum Vitae