FROM THE PUBLISHER ’ S DESK
Why cockfighting would persist
L
iving on Guam for almost 15 years , I have finally fulfilled my long desire to visit the cockpit in Dededo , compelled to understand cockfighting for our December cover story . Surrounded by Filipino sabungeros ( gamecock owners and bettors ) and kristos ( bet takers ), I felt at home . I felt nostalgic .
My recent visit to Dededo Game Club summoned up childhood memories . It brought back to my mind the image of my late grandfather , holding his favorite gamecock on his lap , gently stroking its bright-colored feathers – black , red and orange-brown . He called it Hari ng Sabungan ( King of the Cockpit ), which suited its well-defined crown and majestic posture . I remember him throwing a fit when a neighbor said in jest , “ It looks delicious with ginger and papaya .” Everyone knew not to ever crack that joke on a cockfighter . “ Go to hell , you *#%$ ^ %$#@!,” my grandfather told the wisecracker .
Growing up in the Philippines , I watched cockfights . I remember the fluttering and flapping of the wings , the fury of mutual assaults and boisterous cheering of the men . I understood little of the sport — the defeated one would wind up in the pot . Tinola or arroz caldo . “ Your lolo ’ s rooster lost , we win ,” my grandmother would say while seasoning the fallen king . I didn ’ t care for rooster meat though . It ’ s tough — difficult to masticate — in contrast to the tenderness of the female chicken .
In the old days , cockfighting was a guiltless sport . The sabungero would mourn the fatal defeat of his bird but the world then didn ’ t have moral crisis or make legal impositions on this centuries-old tradition involving the contest of might between feathered gladiators . We live in a different world now , where self-appointed guardians of the human conduct continue to expand the list of things people ought not to say or do , such as pitting animals against one another .
Cockfighting is illegal in 50 states . Last month , Republican Rep . Peter Roskam of Illinois introduced a bill in the U . S . Congress , proposing a ban on cockfighting in American territories . Behind the bill is The Humane Society of the United States . “ Dogfighting and cockfighting are barbaric practices , more widely criminalized than any other form of animal cruelty in the world , and the prohibitions should apply to every part of the country . The United States shouldn ’ t have one set of rules against animal cruelty for all 50 states and a different set of rules for U . S . territories ,” said Wayne Pacelle , president and CEO of The Humane Society .
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In previous statements , the Humane Society claimed cockfighting was associated with “ gambling , drug dealing , illegal gun sales and murder .” Zealots sound insane when they overstretch their arguments . Focusing on the “ cruelty to animals ” aspect of the discussion can be easier to tackle , yet easy to dismiss for its inherent hypocrisy .
“ Kalokohan yan ( That ’ s a lot of nonsense ),” a bet caller said of the proposed cockfighting ban . “ People are generally cruel to animals ; we eat them . We are on top of the food chain ; that ’ s just the nature of things .”
But that ’ s beside the point . Cockfighting is a revered tradition in this part of the world . It comes with tales , legends and family histories . “ Cockfighting has important cultural significance and a long history for the people of Guam ,” Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo said . “ I believe regulations on this issue should be enacted at the local level and share concerns that this bill would infringe on local laws and policies .”
CNMI Delegate Gregorio “ Kilili ” Sablan agrees . “ Federal law already bars the interstate shipment of fighting cocks , which is a legitimate exercise of federal authority . But cockfighting that is strictly confined to the Marianas , [ that ] stays within our borders and involves no federal interests , should remain a matter for local decision makers .”
Outlawing it would not make it go away ; it would only be driven underground .
“ If there ’ s a will , there ’ s a way ,” the bet caller said .
Kalokohan yan ( That ’ s a lot of nonsense ),” a bet caller said of the proposed cockfighting ban . “ People are generally cruel to animals ; we eat them . We are on top of the food chain ; that ’ s just the nature of things .
Publisher Mar-Vic Cagurangan publisher @ pacificislandtimes . com
Editor-in-Chief Bruce Lloyd editor @ pacificislandtimes . com
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