'Sabong' bridges gap
between rich and poor
BECAUSE IT is widely accepted as a sport among gentlemen; the patented trademark of sabungeros that they could be trusted to honor their word, cockfighting is enjoying widespread popularity. And more.
Inside the country's more than 1,500 cockpits, the rich and the poor, the famous and the faceless, even the most bitter rivals in business and politics mingle as equal, attesting to the established fact that sabong bridges the gap between this diverse segment of society.
When the renovated Araneta Coliseum launched its year-round cockfighting derbies last Dec. 6-8 before a record crowd, the ''warring'' members and officials of the National Cockers Association and the United Cockers Association of the Philippines renewed their rivalry not in bitter conflict but under an atmosphere of friendship, fair play and sportsmanship.
Needless to say, the cordial mood left many dumbfounded as both camps set aside their personal differences for the good of the sport.
''Puwede naman palang magkaisa sila (NCA and UCAP),'' said a delighted cockfighting fan, ''bakit kailangang pang maghiwalay?''
I agree.
After all, camaraderie was aptly demonstrated during the derby season opening at the Big Dome where aficionados were treated to explosive matches which pitted the best and fiercest fighting cocks of NCA stalwarts Nene Araneta, Jun Santiago, Ito Ynares, Tonette Luzuriaga and outstanding breeder Boy Jiao against the Ucap's father-and-son tandem of Jake and Butch Macasaet and former Mayor Jesse Viceo.
Sadly missed, however, were regular Big Dome habitués and former world champions Biboy Enriquez, Pete Rodriguez, Mario Villamor and Patrick Antonio of Sagupaan fame.
Nonetheless, noted promoter Vic Yu, now the big boss at the new Mandaluyong Cockpit, was there to trace the smashingly successful derby inaugural.
On Jan. 17, 19 and 21, the Millennium 2000 World Slasher 8-Cock Derby will kick off at the Big Dome pitting the formidable American master breeders against their Filipino counterparts.
Familiar faces who will be competing include past World Slasher winners Ray Alexander of Alabama, literally a heavy weight like his reputation among cocker-breeders in the United States; Dan Gray of Louisiana, a 6-foot-1 Crocodile Dundee look-alike whose winning lines are Kelsos and Roundhead-Clarets; and Carol NeSmith, another famous breeder-cocker from Alabama.
Interestingly, these American cockers are not compulsive gamblers.
''I am not a gambler,'' said Alexander, who breeds cocks for living in Birmingham. ''I am more concerned with the breeding of my gamefowl. It is like religion.'' He won the World Slasher Cup in 1994 in tandem with Nene Araneta.
Dan Gray has been in the sport for more than four decades. He raises close to 3,000 gamefowl in his farm in Schriever, Louisiana. In 1994, Gray won first leg of the World Slasher cup in partnership with Jun Santiago.
NeSmith, on the other hand, emerged champion in 1997 and 1998. He has been in the business for nearly 10 years, breeding winning cocks in Fulton, Mississippi. He counts among his regular clients some of the most successful Filipino cockers.
