The Cultural Practice of Cockfighti​ng

This is John. One of my goals in this GSE program is to experience as much of Filipino culture as possible, and not just the practices that are comfortable to me. Cockfighting is an important tradition in the Philippines. My Rotary hosts inform me that over a million cocks are fought every day throughout the nation. A number of Rotarians are involved in the construction and operation of cockpits.



Cockfighting is illegal in the US and from what I saw, I believe it should be. But I'm not going to criticize the practice here. I indicated an interest in seeing a cockfight and two Rotarians volunteered to escort me. I appreciate their interest in my cultural education. This is their culture and it's not fair for a visitor to judge after one visit Let me just describe some of what I saw.


Here I am with one of the actual contestants. This handsome fowl fought well, vanquished his foe, and will live to fight again or maybe he'll be lucky and will be selected to breed other champions.

The cockpit is much like a boxing ring, except that the cockpit is hexagonal and a wall of glass separates the ring from the crowd. Razor sharp blades are affixed to one or both of the cock's legs and serious injuries might ensue if a cock got into the crowd. There is a Byzantine method of placing bets. It's on the honor system. People pay or get paid after every fight. The fights are surprisingly short. Most last about 20 seconds. Usually there is little or no blood. The crowd is orderly if loud. I've been to professional sporting events in the US where I felt more menace.


The vanquished cocks are made into stew. Nothing is wasted in the Philippines.