To those many outside observers, cockfighting or "sabong" in Filipino, is an intensely cruel and bloody form of sport. Filipino cocks or roosters only can live to fight once or twice in an event before death or injuries that will retire them from the sport.
Many of the Filipino men find it hard to resist this sport because it provides an allure and enchantment to them. For some, watching cocks fight gives them the thrill of the blood sport that provides all the excitement. And for the majority, the reason why they are obsessed simply because of the betting that draws them to this blood dirty sport.
Cockfighting in the Philippines is legal though it is frowned upon in modern society. From the period that cockfighting was introduced in the country it became one of the most famous game sports all over the Philippines. The sport is not limit to just poorer sections of the society, it also has a huge place among the well known personalities in the Philippine industry. These people includes the former speaker of house of representatives Ramon Mitra and Rodolfo Albano together with their escorts, the house majority leader and also the siblings of the previous President Corazon Cojuanco Aquino. And a lot of local officials and governors, congressmen are into this sport.
There are two breed of birds used for Philippine cockfighting; the native breed which is use by the poorer section of the society and the rich people normally import their breeds.
How This Sport Works?
1887 Cockfighting is already published in a novel and it was described as a popular activity and it was even more widespread than opium-smoking among Chinese. The arena where the fights happen is called the "cockpit" or "sabungan". The people who can afford to have some money Mga Sunoy, does a lot of efforts to train the cocks in agressity. If the rooster wins, the owner earns a lot of money and those people who just visit the fight and put their money on the winning cock. As the cocks are fighting , cocks wears razor blades fixed on their legs. The fight will only end if the death of one takes place.
Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, also known as "Pacman" in the field of boxing and now he's conquering the world of politics as the representative of Saranggani Province and not to mention he has also big businesses in our native country Philippines.
Boxing World, Business and Politics
Pacman is the the first eight-division world champion having won six world titles, as well as the first Filipino men to win the lineal championship in four weight classes. Eventually after those winning he named him "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000s Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). This man also is a three-time The Ring and BWAA "Fighter of the Year," winning the award for the years 2006, 2008, and 2009.
Today, this humble man is the WBO Welterweight Champion and rated as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world by some sporting news and boxing websites which includes BoxRec.com, Sporting Life and The Ring.
And aside from his professional boxing career this guy has participated and conquered acting, music recording, business and politics. Last May 2010 Pacman was elected to the House of Representatives in the 15th Congress of the Philippines, representing the the Saranggani province.
With his wife and his personal escort Maria Geraldine "Jinkee" Jamora has reached the road of success. From being an amateur boxer and now a truly professional and king of the boxing ring, probably this guy gets the highest paid during his fights. He earn more than $10,000 a fight. With this earning Pacman is truly a Filipino because he helps in improving schools, hospitals and welfare around Saranggani and other places. Pacquiao is really a great fighter and a natural born Filipino thats why he deserves a title-- "A Great Hero of the Filipino People.
As a young child growing in my native land the Philippines I
still remember a lot of interactions with my peers, friends, relatives or just
other people in general. And one way of interacting and socializing to other
people was through games and in particular traditional Filipino games.
Traditional Filipino games are truly enthralling, highly
imaginative and unique. Despite the rise of modern technology and high-tech
games still most of the children in the rural areas play and enjoys these traditional
games daily. I am now in my mid ages and I still can recall and it is still
fresh in my mind the rules of the games that we used to play with my playmates.
And the best thing about these games is that everyone can enjoy playing these
for free!
More or less, there are forty Traditional Filipino Games in
the Philippines. But these following games are the top games among other games
in the country and these are the most played. So let the games begin! "Jack-en-poy, hali hali hoy, sino'ng matalo
siya'ng unggoy."
Taguan
Taguan or ‘hide and
seek’ in English language. This ‘tagu-taguan’
make it unique compared to its counterpart ‘hide and seek is that the game
usually played at sunset or night so that the it will be challenge to locate those who are hiding.
Tumbang Preso
This game is also called 'Presohan' a very popular street game; it requires three or more
players. The players are provided a large throw-away object it could be their
slipper or shoe called 'pamato'. The
game also requires a empty tin with approximately an eight or twelve oz tin
that is placed in upright position. A prisoner will guard the tin while the
other player throws their 'pamato'
trying to knock it down. The prisoner must put back the tin in its right
position in the event that one of the players knocks down the tin. Then that is
the time for the prisoner to tag one of the players and replace him as a
prisoner.
Piko
This is a popular game for cute girls and ladies. The girls stand
behind the edges of a box and each should throw their snippet 'pamato' or cue ball. The first to play
depends on their agreement nearest to the moon or wings or to the chess of the
draw line. Whoever succeeds in throwing their 'pamato' nearest to the place they agreed upon will play first. The
2nd nearest will be the next and so on.
Patintero
This game also called "Harangang Taga" you must try to cross a line without letting
the "taya"(it) to touch or
catch you.
Sipa
The object being used to play is also called ‘sipa’. This is made of washer with
colorful threads and usually plastic straws are attached to it. The game is
very simple you must use your hand or your foot by hitting the object without
letting it touch the ground. The most number of kick will be declare the winner
Agawan Base
Basically there are two teams who clams two bases. How many
players on each teams depends on the players. The goal of this game is to tag
the other team's base without getting tagged. If you were tagged then you'll be
transferred to the base of the other team. You must be rescued by your
teammates by touching you. The first team to tag the team players of the opponent
five times will win the game.
Luksong Baka
If we translate it into English this game means "jump-over-a-cow". The it player bends over his hands on his
knees while his co players jump over him using both hands for balance. Only the
hands of the player jumper may touch the back of the it. Once the jumper touches the it
player with the rest of his body parts except for the hands, the jumper looses
the game and it’s his turn replace the it.
Siyato
There are two players in this game; they both need a short
stick to hit and a long stick for hitting the short one. Player A as the hitter
and Player B as the catcher. This is played outside on the ground where you dig
a small slanted hole for the short stick. The first player must hit the stick
so it catches air enough to be hit by the stick again. The further the wood
gets hit the more points you get. However Player B has to anticipate and catch
the small piece of wood to nullify the points.
Jacke-en-Poy
Who doesn’t know ‘jack-en-poy’
in the Philippines? This is a game playing Rock-Paper-Scissors with the chan
"Jack-en-Poy, hali hali hoy! Sino'ng
matalo, siya'ng Unggoy (monkey)." The goal of this game is just to
overpower each hand gestures such that paper wins over rock, rock wins over
scissor and scissors over powers paper.
Palosebo
Every "fiesta" or feast in a certain Barrio
greased bamboo pole climbing is always present. The game involves players
attempt to climb a greased bamboo. The goal is be the first person to reach the
top with a banner or a small bag and the price is there usually money or toys.
Other famous games in the Philippines are the following:
'Filipinos like to play game,' and this is observed true. In our society, playing games is important part of growing up. Games are physically challenging and somewhat intellectually stimulating. We play this games as a group or team and this teach us sportsmanship at our young age. If you think about it we enjoyed playing these games for many years without a referee or umpires, however as kids we made rules and regulation of our own and we abide by these rules. This what we call 'honor system' or 'sa diyosan'.
When one is overpowered by the opponent, the winner makes you suffer for some type of consequences like losing your turn or being punished by doing some certain task. Some of the games, when you win you get prizes, but we all know that win or loose we get enjoyment and it satisfies us as child playing these games.
Studies shows that playing these games are essential part in the learning process of a child. The educational influence of games on the physical, mental and moral vitality of our children are the factors why these traditional games in the country are still being practiced and observed by the general public.
In our country; traditional, high-tech games and innovative toys are played simultaneously, and as part of the Filipino past time specially in the rural areas like Provinces during moonlit nights, all neighborhood gathers and shares games in plazas, open areas or just in a road. They play different sets of games as part of their interaction, recreation, socialization and somewhat relaxation after a hard days work in the field.
The Earth's surface is covered mostly by water which is 70.9% and the remaining is covered by land. From these there are numerous of water sports are created and invented. I bet that the only sport in the water that most of us are familiar with is swimming. You know that there are a lot of water sports that are fun and exciting such as sports played 'in the water', 'under the water' and 'on the water'.
To name a few here are some of the best water sports that are played for competition and probably that are played in the Olympic games in no particular order:
Swimming
This water sport is one of the famous and the most popular recreational sports that can be enjoyed by all ages. The ability to swim allow people to join and participate other varieties water sports such as snorkeling, water skiing, jet skiing and many other, without the fear of getting into trouble and it reduces the risk of drowning. Men like Michael Phelps and beautiful women like Shane Gould and Kristin Otto are very famous in this sport.
Best Swimmer: MICHAEL FRED PHELPS II (American)
Water polo
Is a team water sport also called as "water ball." This sport is played in a swimming pool consist of six field players and one goalkeeper with a buoyant ball encompassing features of soccer, football, basket ball and hockey. The game play involves swimming, treading water and using a sort of kicking motion called as "eggbeater kick"
Best Water Polo Player: GERARD BLITZ (Belgian)
Water Skiing
Is a sport riding on skis along the water surface while being pulled behind a motorboat or a cable ski installation. It is originated on the French Riviera in 1922 and was became famous in the United State by the year 1927. In the year 1939 "The American Water Ski Association" was founded and held the first national water ski championship in that same year.
Water Ski Champion 2010:DARIN SHAPIRO, Orlando, FL
Diving
Is a sport of jumping or plunging freely into water from a platform or springboard often while performing one or more acrobatic maneuvers. Diving emerged in the late 19th century and became part of the Olympic Games in 1904. Competitors of this sport possess the same characteristics as gymnasts and dancers which include the strength, flexibility, kinaesthetic judgment and air awareness.
Oldest competitor in Masters' Diving Championship: VIOLA KRAHN aged 101 years old.
Scuba Diving
SCUBA is an acronym for self contained underwater breathing apparatus, and now it is widely considered a word in its own right. This sport is a form of diving under the water in which a diver uses a scuba set for breathing. This sport has become very popular, in the America alone there are more than 5 millions of SCUBA divers that are certified.
First Certified Diver in the World: JEAN MICHAEL COUSTEAU 1938
Snorkeling
This sport is a practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask. This diving is like a shaped of a tube called snorkel, and usually swim fins. Use of this snorkel allows the snorkeler to observe underwater life and attractions for extended periods of time with relatively little effort. This sport is very popular recreational activity in tropical resort and scuba diving locations.
One of the Best Snorkeling Spot in the World: KEALAKEKUA BAY–HAWAII
Rafting
This sport also know as white water rafting is a very challenging recreational outdoor activity. In rafting players use an inflatable raft to navigate a river or some other bodies of water. This sports usually played on white water or different degrees of rough water for some thrill and excitement for the raft passengers. This activity as a leisure sport became popular since the mid-1970's. Rafting is acknowledge as an extreme sport because it can be dangerous for people who are not experienced.
Costa Rica 2011 World Rafting Championship- JAPAN
Rowing
Rowing in a boat with a sliding seat is known to be one of the best forms of aerobic exercise. This sport uses the muscles in the arms, legs and torso providing all your body to move and workout. It is the art of propelling a boat by means of oars which is operated by the hands. Rowing also increases bone density in the spine which help you prevent osteoporosis.
Famous Rowers: CAMERON & TYLER WINKLEVOSS (rowed Harvard/2008 US Olympic Team/2010 Boat Race)
Kayaking
Players are using a kayak and moves across the water that why it is called kayaking. Kayaking is similar to canoeing and they are also known as paddling. This activity, kayaking is differentiated from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddlers and the number of blades on the paddle.
8 Primary Classifications of Kayaking
Polo
Slalom
Whitewater
Surf
Touring/expedition
Light touring / Day tripping
Sprint/Racing
General Recreation
World Famous Kayaker: TAO BERMAN (three-time world record holder)
Surfing
It is a surface water sports riding on a crest or in a surfboard breaking waves toward the shore. Places that have huge waves are perfect for surfers. Primarily surfing is done in the ocean and also sometimes in lakes and rivers or man made wave pools.
3 Major Subdivision within Stand-up Surfing
Long boarding
Short boarding
Stand-up paddle surfing
11x ASP World Surfing Champion: KELLY SLATER
Those are just some of activities that are played in the water. If you some suggestions and additions for other recreational water sports feel free to comment and discuss.
Philippines like other countries love sports. Athletics,
basketball, billiards, boxing, chess and swimming are just some of the sports
that gave the country international fame all over the world. Here's a list of
Pinoy icons in sports that put the country on top rank and brought great pride
in it.
10. BILLIARDS:
Francisco Bustamante
Francis Lopez Bustamante also known as Django, is a
professional pocket billiards-pool. Born and raised in Tarlac Philippines and
became the 2010 World 9-ball champion. He started playing his profession when
he was at the age of 10,he has won different titles such as; the Munich Master,
The German 9-ball Championship and the Japan 9-ball Championship who has made
him one of the billiard's greatest international stars.
9. SWIMMING: Eric
Buhain
Before becoming a champion Eric had a Primary Lung Complex,
which is a serious lung disease. His doctor advised him that he must engage
into a sport that would help his lungs. So Eric decided to enroll in a swimming
class and that is the start of Eric's dream to be a swimming champion. He
became a member of the Philippine swimming team at the age of 11. In 1985 when
he was 15 he gained his first medals in the Southeast Asian Games and Thailand
is the host country. In 1991 he contributed 90 gold haul in the RP's team in
Manila where in the SEA games event was held.
8. CHESS: Eugene
Torre
Chess master Eugene Torre was born to play chess and give
the countries honor in that field. At the age of 22 he is the first Filipino
and the first Asian to have title of International Grandmaster. He earns a lot
of medals at the World Chess Olympiad where he has representing the Philippines
for three decades. He led the Philippine chess team to a 7th place finish in
the year 1988 Chess Olympiad which was held in Greece. But maybe the biggest
achievement of Torre was beating Anatoli Karpov a chess legend in 1976.
7. BOXING: Gabriel
Elorde
Another boxing fighter, Gabriel Flash Elorde was born and
raised in the town of Bogo, Cebu. HE was
very talented and very popular left-handed boxer who has a career record of
88-27-2 with 33 knockouts; during his popularity in the field of boxing he
takes the titles Super Featherweight Champion of the World, WBC Super
Featherweight Champion of the World, WBA Super Featherweight Champion of the
World, OPBF Lightweight Championship, GABG Lightweight Championship of the
Philippines, GAB Super featherweight of the Philippines, OPBF Bantamweight
Championship, and the Gab Bantamweight Championship of the Philippines.
6. BASKETBALL: Robert
Jaworski Sr.
Robert Jaworski Sr. also known as "The Big J"
reigns the Philippine Basketball Association for 23 years playing for Toyota
and the all time favorite team in the PBA, Ginebra. He became part of the
national team that represented the Philippines in the Asian Game which was held
in Bangkok, Thailand in the year 1966. By the following year he became part of
the ABC or Asian Basketball Confederation team that played in Seoul, South
Korea. And in the year 1973 this gentleman together with his team won the 1973
ABC games in the Philippines being the host country that year. When he finally
hung up his jersey he was aged 52 and run for the country's senator and
fortunately he won.
5. ATHLETICS: Lydia
De Vega
Lydia Devega-Mercado a beautiful woman who was born and raised in Bulacan,
Philppines got the title "Asia’s Sprint Queen" in the 1980's because
he is the first Filipina and the 1st woman to win back-to-back gold medals in
the 100-meter dash in Asian competition in 1982 and 1984. She holds the Philippine
best record with her personal best 11.28 seconds. She was also a two-time
Olympia, having won a gold medal in 1984 (Los Angeles) and 1988 (Seoul) Olympic
games.
4. BILLIARDS: Efren
"Bata" Reyes
This 55 yrs old billiard master nicknamed "The Magician”
because he makes even the toughest shot in billiards. Reyes was born and raised
in Pampanga, Philippines. He has taken titles in the World Cup, International
9-Ball Tournament and World 9-ball Open, and also he led his team Philippines
to victory in the World Team Billiards and internationally took the gold medal
in the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games. This gentlemen also is a champion
in Pro-Tour Championship and PBT World 8-Ball in the year 1995, he won ESPN
Ultimate Challenge and the WPA World 9-Ball Championship in 1999, Masters
9-Ball in 2001, Challenge of the Champions winner in 2002. Reyes remains the
best when it comes to billiards and the most lethal weapon in pool today.
3. BOWLING: Rafael
"Paeng" Nepomuceno
Philippine is very proud of Paeng Nepomuceno because he was
the 1st Filipino Bowler to receive the Worlds 1st prestigious International
Olympic Committee President's Trophy in 1993 and also the 1st bowler enshrined
in the International Bowling Hall of Fame in St. Louis , Missouri in that same
year. This Filipino guy also was the
1st Filipino bowler listed in the
Guinness Book of World Records for having won the Bowling World Cup four times
(1976, 1980, 1992, and 1996) in 1994. By the year 1999 according to FIQ
Federation Internationale des Quilleurs, Paeng Nepomuceno is the 1st Filipino
and the worlds “International Bowling Athlete of the Millennium".
2. BOXING: Nonito
Donaire
Another Professional Filipino American boxer Nonito Donaire
was known to his remarkable speed of his hand and foot-work and earned the
nickname "The Filipino Flash." This
gentleman is a 4 division world champion and he is currently the reigning WBO
Super Bantamweight Champion.He earns also the title WBC Bantamweight Champion, WBO Bantamweight Champion, Interim WBA Super Flyweight Champion and the IBF Flyweight Champion.Nonito is in rank 4 pound for pound boxer.
1. BOXING: Emmanuel
"Manny" Pacquiao
Who doesn't know "Pacman" for his speed and his
greatness when it comes to field of boxing? The pride of General Santos City,
Mindanao . This gentleman is famous and well-known internationally, for having
a wonderful career in boxing. He is the first Filipino and the only boxer in
the world who won the seven world titles in different division on his sports
(flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, light
welterweight and welterweight). Now
Manny is not just famous when it comes to boxing, he is now also serving the
country as a Congressman in Saranggani. He has now the title of "A
Fighting Congressman." Why not?
Maybe most of us are asking what are the most popular and
favorite sports of the world since all individuals are unique and we have our own favorite
sports. When you search online for listings of world favorite and most played sports you
may probably see that soccer or football is always on the top of the list.
Soccer (the Father of All Sports)
Most of the listing that I searched and seen in the internet
whether it is based on a lot of fans that talk about it or most participants or
whatever the meaning of popular sports, World Soccer is always on the top of
the list. Soccer or football is very popular all over the world this team sport
maybe is the most watched, the most played and the most talked about. Of course
it also depends on what criteria you use for popularity.
After Soccer the next sports in the list are:
Tennis (the Queen of all sports)
Contemporary this sport was first known in 19th century in
the country of United Kingdom and it was first called Lawn Tennis. From that
time tennis gained popularity all over the world. Places like USA, Europe,
Australia, India and some other part of the Asia love this sports in fact it
has 0.33 billion followers. This sport apparently offers the most watched
sporting career for beautiful women like Anna Kournikova and Maria Sharapova who is known to be the 'TEEN TENNIS PRINCESS'.
Cricket
This sport is the second most popular sports in the world
followed by soccer .It was played first in Southern England and it had
developed to be the national sport of the country. It is a bat and ball game
played between two teams of 11 players. In India subcontinent this is the most
popular sport which has a 1.5 billion population. A lot of crazy fans are
following this sport like in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. This
sport is always on the top three listings of most popular sports in countries
like Australia, England, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, New Zealand,
Afghanistan and Mauritius.
Basketball
This is always been the favorite and most popular sport in
the USA, China, Russia, in the Philippines, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Italy,
Spain, and Puerto Rico. The famous National Basketball Association in America
with 30 teams playing is the richest and probably the most watch basketball
league in American Sporting action all over the world. It is said that NBA
action attracts audiences in excess of a billion.
Volleyball
This game is very famous in the USA and almost 100 countries
play this game professionally. The sport may not be the most played and most
popular sport in any countries but still it certainly enjoys a popularity
ranking in almost all nations. This game is always on the list of favorite
sports all over the world. Today the ruling country in volleyball is Brazil.
Baseball
Is a bat and ball sports which is played by two teams of
nine members each. This sport originates is US and it is invented by Alexander Cartwright of New York. The sport is the richest pastime of the American.
Baseball becomes very popular in countries like Japan, Korea, Cuba, Taiwan and
many other countries. The researcher said that the total baseball population is
600 million.
Rugby Union
This game is very popular in New Zealand and many other
places. This team sport often referred to as Rugby, it is a game of full
contact which originates in England in the early 19th Century. A tournament
called "Rugby World Cup is held every four years and the team who wins the
tournament will receive the "Webb Ellis Cup".
American Football
One of the most popular sports in the United States it is
close to English Soccer and Rugby Football. Half of the nation’s populations of
306 million really like to play this game. A huge bunch of fans in US, Canada,
Japan, The Caribbean and Europe is being crazy about the sport. National
Football League is the richest amongst the world sporting league netting $6.2
billion annually.
Ice Hockey
In its name Ice Hockey, is a team sport played on ice, it is always on the top list of the sports played in the US, Russia, Canada, Norway and other country with winter season. Ice Hockey is very popular throughout the season. NHL or the National Hockey League is the most popular league among all other hockey leagues.
Table Tennis
Table tennis is just another world’s favorite sports. This
is first called ping-pong. This sport is the second most famous sport in China
but internationally it has limited audience. One of the advantages of this game
is, it requires only a little space not like the other sports and almost
schools clubs and recreational center have a table-tennis court.
