With a mind-boggling first-prize paycheck of around P15 million at stake plus a record-breaking number of entries of 300 competing, the 2012 World Slasher Cup gets going starting today at the Big Dome in Cubao.
Started by Don Amado Araneta in 1962 and held semi-annually at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, this year’s WSC 8-Cock Derby—ranked as most prestigious cockfighting event on Planet Earth—also marks its 50th anniversary.
Hosted by the Pintakasi of Champions, this year’s Slasher Cup pits topnotch Filipino cocker-breeders against their foreign counterparts from Japan, Germany, France, Malaysia, Guam, Saipan and the United States.
Hostilities get under way today, with the first set of entries clashing in the two-cock eliminations followed by the second half of competitions tomorrow. The two-cock semifinals for Group A will be on Jan. 18 and Group B on Jan. 19. The four-cock finals for Group A is on Jan. 21 and the ultimate event is on Jan. 22 for the Group B finalists.
This year’s 300-entry list will be the biggest ever. A total of 207 entries registered in 2009, 240 in 2010 and 274 at the beginning of 2011.
During last year’s initial staging of the WSC, battle-tested Patrick Antonio (Sagupaan B-50) emerged solo winner with a clean 8-0 slate while partner Rey Briones (Spartans DR-1) reigned supreme in WSC 2 (7-1 win-loss tally) together with derby veterans Boy Jiao and former Rizal Gov. Ito Ynares (June 14 NCA Big Event Ynares Arena 220K Pot) and up-and-coming Rikki Reyes (@PR Knights Rian WRN).
This year, among the confirmed foreign entries are former Slasher Cup champions Roger Roberts (Georgia) and Ray Alexander (Alabama), who teamed up with the famed Thunderbird cocks of Big Dome owner Jorge “Nene” Araneta; Mike Formosa, Chris Casilan and Kali Casco (Hawaii), Larry Romero, Jason Campbell, Sedfrey Linsangan (Guam), Jorge Torres, Jorge “Goy” Goitia, Zaldy Sandoval, Jeff Hudspeth, Rodel Costales (California), Zosimo Antivo (Las Vegas), Clarence Perkins (Kentucky), Greg Berin, Peter Uren (Australia), Randy Hall (Texas), Martin Barla, Jose Carcillar and Martin Barla (Chicago).
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Cockfighting or sabong in the vernacular is so ingrained into Philippine culture that it is next to impossible to stop it.
“How could we fight cockfighting when our very own lawmakers are active cockers and breeders themselves?” asked an aficionado.
Other facts and figures:
Filipinos were already staging cockfights when Ferdinand Magellan came ashore and discovered the Philippines in 1521.
The Philippine economy earns several billions from taxes generated from close to 2,000 registered cockpits, cockfight betting, breeding farms and feeds and drugs industry.
Cockfighting bridges the gap between the rich and the poor. At the cockpits, ordinary folk mingle with the wealthy, politicians, showbiz and sports personalities where they become equal.
Sabong is so fascinating that it has captured the fancy of writers, including the prolific Alejandro Roces; painters such as Angel Cacnio, even indie movie producers like Gov. Imee Marcos.
The 106th US Congress has banned cockfighting in 47 states in America following a bill filed by Sen. Wayne Allard in 1999. The ban however, did not include the states of Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
Cockfighting gives new opportunities to kristos or bet takers. Roberto Mangaran Racasa gained global respect and recognition when he took part in a recent world memory contest by memorizing three decks of shuffled cards and replicating them perfectly in order.
Said Racasa: “I developed my memory skills as a kristo in my teenage years.”