Cockfighting, a popular pastime in the Philippines (and various other Asian countries, including Indonesia), holds a significant cultural significance. Across the nation, there are both legal and illegal arenas where these intense bird battles take place. For an outsider, it can be challenging to comprehend the fascination with such a bloody and cruel spectacle. However, I must acknowledge that, while I may not personally relish or share enthusiasm for the fights, I find these events culturally intriguing, making them subjects for analysis and photography. In this photo research project, I present some pictures from my visit to one such event and attempt to elucidate the Filipino perspective on them.

Out of the approximately thousand cockfighting arenas scattered throughout the Philippines, I attended one located in the small town of Mambajao, situated on Camiguin Island in the northern region of Mindanao. My journey through this region of the Philippines, following a visit to Siargao Island, was marked by an unexpected encounter with a typical Philippine occurrence: a typhoon. Faced with the inclement weather, my friends and I decided to explore the world of cockfighting at the local cockpit.

A few days earlier, I had met some individuals who trained their roosters in the garden, and they informed me of an upcoming fight. They, along with their children and neighbors, were all dedicated to preparing the roosters that would soon engage in the cockpit.

Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t Spanish colonists who introduced this tradition to the Philippines; it had already been practiced for centuries. Historical records, such as expeditions dating back to 1512, confirm its existence. In Tagaloh, the official language of the Philippines, cockfighting is known as “Sabong,” with legal matches taking place weekly, while illegal ones, termed “tupada” or “tigbakay,” are also common. The photo depicts a legal battle happening in the city of Mambajao.

The photograph showcases the prizes awarded to the winners, with the champion receiving a Suzuki motorcycle, the runner-up a plasma TV, and the third-place finisher a refrigerator. Those who don’t clinch the top spots are given a consolation prize valued at less than 20€. Entrance to the event is typically quite affordable, at around 1€.

Rooster owners invest months in preparing their birds for the fights. Some argue that these battles are popular in the country because they resonate with the Filipino values of pride and courage, while others attribute their success to the significant betting involved.

Gambling plays a crucial role in these events, without which the spectacle would lose much of its appeal. Observing the gamblers is particularly fascinating, as they all vocally place their bets, and some managers memorize the wagers. Trust is the foundation of this system, as no written records exist, leading to the saying that there are more honest individuals in a cockpit than in a church. The bettors are known as “Kristo,” as seen in the photo, where they capture attention by raising their hands.

This “sport” is predominantly a male domain, and it’s unlikely to find local women at these events. Nevertheless, I attended with two female friends, and we encountered no issues; in fact, we were warmly welcomed and invited to socialize with the attendees.

Before the roosters enter the fray, they are equipped with blades, as shown in the image, to ensure the battles are lethal for at least one of the combatants. These blades are sharp and lengthy, approximately 7cm. Two types of knives are employed in Philippine cockfighting: single-edged blades for derbies and double-edged blades, with variations in blade length. All blades are attached to the left leg of the bird, but owners can reach agreements to attach them to the right or both legs.

The fights are surprisingly brief, often lasting less than half a minute. Witnessing these battles can be distressing due to their brutality and the high mortality rate among the roosters. Sometimes, both birds succumb to their injuries, resulting in a tie. However, more frequently, one rooster perishes from the blades of its opponent.

On occasion, the victor is injured and requires on-site surgery by a veterinarian. In theory, these roosters will recover and fight again, which I found rather ironic, as they’re being operated on just to participate in another battle where the odds of survival are slim.

Cockfighting remains one of the most widely embraced activities in the Philippines, transcending various social strata. Personally, I found it highly interesting, as it allowed me to engage with the local population and gain insights into their lives. These social gatherings provide a unique window into understanding the people of the country, even though it revolves around a rather cruel activity. It appears that such events will persist, as the Philippines is among the few countries where cockfighting remains legal