Friday, March 04, 2005

Photo Friday: Obsession

Death

The Filipinos can never live without four essential items in their life; drinking, gambling, politics and lastly what has become a national obsession in the form of legallised gambling, arena events, prize money and national pastime, cock fighting. Here is what happens to the losers once bets are exchanged and hearty shouts calling for the next bout, a savage sport but one without qualms or morals to the locals who participate in this national institution. Bolinao Cock Pit, Bolinao, Philippines, 2004.

23 comments:

sillyfish said...

Shocking..but very realistic!!

narrowband said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
narrowband said...

Ugh! I can't believe they could actually do that!

Iced Skeleton said...

before reading i thought it is one of those killing of rooster/hen to prepare a meal *sweats*

this is definitely immoral.
but i understand i am in no position to stop them from conducting such acts (or culture i should say).
i remember nickelodeon did an advertisement on saving the chickens (which my brother found touching:) with black eye pea's "where's the Love?" )
at least the cartoon channels are teaching the kids.

Kervin said...

sillyfish: Yes, shocking but it has been so entrenched and accepted that it no longer disturbs them and it is a national sport. No wonder elsewhere it has been banned.

narrowband: I think if you go to some border towns between Kelantan and Thai you can still catch a glimpse of this even though it is illegal here in Malaysia.

Venus: Sadly a larger effort is needed to stop this if it ever can but every major city (even Manila) has a cock pit and it is a legalized betting forum in the country as well as a national sport. No I don't forsee much dent in their national pastime sadly for that.

5xmom.com said...

Do they let the cock wear the sharp-sharp thing on it's legs? I remember when I was young, our textbook talked about it and I cried reading what they did. So brutal.

Anonymous said...

The Spanish have matadors.
The Romans have gladiators. Americans have pit bulls.
The Thais have Siamese fighting fishes.

Why pick on the Filipinos?

TO EACH HIS OWN!

Anonymous said...

you only saw how many filipinos?
and youre generalizing them as "can never live without four essential items in their life; drinking, gambling, politics and cock fighting" ? not enough info to make it a fact bro. youre too shallow.

Anonymous said...

National pastime? hahaha. you've only been to one part of that country.

Anonymous said...

a very discriminating comment that is.

Kervin said...

5Xmom: yes they allow for a single blade to be afixed on the foot.

Anonymous: Yes each culture has their own blood sports, I disagree to any sports that encourages blood to be spilt such as fox hunts, matador killings and even clubbing of seals and whale hunting. We don't need these for sustenance nor cultural sake so why the need to continue, the only animals to be shot should be on film, thats my stance though many out there would disagree. As for being discriminatory and shallow, I've met very good people in the Philippines, many I call good friends and many a soul that I wished to see here in Malaysia, read my previous posts on the country. As for the essentials, it is widespread and flaunted in almost every part of Luzon that I've visited and even voiced by some of the locals that I've met. As for cock fighting lets just admit cocks are brutally killed for sport, thats fact.

Anonymous said...

so i see.. and you see these good Filipino friends of yours as these : "The Filipinos can never live without four essential items in their life; drinking, gambling, politics and lastly what has become a national obsession in the form of legallised gambling, arena events, prize money and national pastime, cock fighting." ??

Anonymous said...

otherwise, change your words into "some of the Filipinos". Never ever generalize if youre not really sure of what youre talking about.

Kervin said...

anonymous: I agree generalization is a dangerous route to take, there are many Filipinos that has made it good as professionals, scholars, the arts and businessmen and their achievements impresses me. It's just that it seems a contrary that the fact is drinking is prevalent every province I went, gambling can be found easily at fairs, political rallies, fiestas and legalized totos, politics are highly debated by everyone and yes there are cock rings in every barangay (even a huge velodrome in Manila City). To say it is essential to every Filipino may be incorrect but to say these are well entrenched in Filipino lifestyle might not be far off from truth. It offered such a different picture of what Malaysians are used to that it stands out to me.

Anonymous said...

Kervin, that is your opinion and i respect that. Im just concern on how you generalize things. Some people may have wrong impressions when they read this. Yes it is part of SOME of the Filipino's lifestyle and as youve said, saying that it is essential to every Filipino may be incorrect. I just hope that you will be more responsible with those things that you write. You also indicated that you know many Filipinos that has made it good as professionals, scholars, the arts and businessmen and their achievements impresses you right? then why use the word generalized "Filipinos"?. You only have been to some parts of the country.. Seen only some of the filipinos.. been to some barangay's.. Again, i totally respect other's opinions and points of view. And i also know that there are Filipinos that doesnt drink, gamble, and doesnt think about politics who are also reading this.

Just think about these:

"The Filipinos can never live without four essential items in their life; drinking, gambling, politics etc."

then

"there are many Filipinos that has made it good as professionals, scholars, the arts and businessmen and their achievements impresses me."

credible? i dont think so..
So please.. think twice befroe wrinting something..

That's all. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I suppose the following nationalities desserved to be called drunkards as well based on your definition:

Russians/Scandinavians because of vodka.
French because of wine (in every meal no less).
Japanese because of sake.
Germans & Irish because of beer.

As for politics, can you please site a country that doesn't have one?

Am I glad I have never met such an ignorant Malaysian like you in person...

Anonymous said...

I read almost of your blog about Philippines. And I can say that you didnt really mean to hurt that country. Just before carefull with the terms that you use ok? Good luck with your carrer bro :)

Anonymous said...

A friend has this to say:
-----

Your well researched academic observations about my country are deserves praise.

As a symbol of our world reknowned hospitality, I invite you to come visit my country. I will see to it you get an ample supply of San Miguel Beer in every beer house in Manila.

We will of course talk nothing but politics over a freshly roasted DOG, an excellent dish to go with the beer.

When you're drunk, I will make a bet with my drinking buddies and pay homage to your culture of discipline.

We will whack your face (we'll aim for the nose, to make it a little challenging) sixty times with a 6-foot long cane which I've read is pretty much legal in your country:

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41649.htm

Anonymous said...

The other national pastime of many male Filipinos - pissing by the roadside.

Anonymous said...

Whacked I thought the national pastime is love making ... so spread the love peeps... and oh kevin ... you become an instant celebrity in the Philippines by making this entry. How much penny have you lost anyway?... seems that you had been beaten by our sabongeros ... you know you should go to bicol ... we have this NPA who use people like you for target practice.

Kervin said...

Wow I'm an instant celebrity and also a hate focused symbol, seems I'm helping Filipino nationalistic feelings to focus on this racist and misinformed Malaysian. From what I figured my words has been picked up and posted on a forum in the Phillipines and many out there are digesting the few stanzas of post to imply that I view badly of the Filipinos. I would have liked to know who's commenting but seems all that I can hope for a civil discourse are mostly from anonymous people not ready to stand by their comments, so be it. For the advise of thinking twice before writing I shall take as a lesson, for the others still thinking me as a bigot, racist, no good Malaysian, well I've judged people on the basis of a single post before so I can't blame you all for hating me on what has been a blown over wording of my thought on the Filipino culture. Instead of clearing and giving counterpoints on what can be termed positive Filipino culture. Please counter my point; San Miguel is readily available in any street stall; political rallies grip entire barangays and is celebrated and talked about by everyone, posters are strewn in every street and events are held on a grand scale; gambling is found openly, fiestas are littered with various luck games, lotteries features prominently for every sporting event; and lastlt please tell me my eyes were mistaken by the various cock pits, cock rearing farms and people fondly handling their prize fighters. Construe my sentence in a bad light, that is your say, it was an observation of the places I visited with no hidden meaning or agenda, read here, here, here, here, and here. If you wish to judge me read these before spouting hate, from what I view as an extraordinary people.

bayibhyap: Thanks for giving a good word, it's ok it's people's comments about a few sentences and deriving a whole world of meaning I never meant to imply from these short phrases.

Anonymous said...

by the way, in your spare time, please try to learn some more english... you tosser.

Kervin said...

Personal attacks seem a bit lower don't you figure? Besides not participating but condoning such events to continue on with inaction is another matter don't you think? As for going there, I do it because its there, to capture the activity on film a part of the Philippines. Also do send my regards to those locals there that do attend the cock pits and which you labeled as total losers and their weekend activity mindless, I'm sure they'll dispense the various threats already hurled at me back to you in spades Mr anonymous :) LOL, regards from mr Tosser