Sabong or Cockfighting is an old-age blood sport that started even before the time of Christ. It was a favorite spectator sport in India, Persia, China and other eastern countries during the ancient times. In 1521, modern cockfighting was first documented in Taytay, a municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines by Magellan’s chronicler, Antonio Pigafetta. It was said that Filipino migrants brought cockfighting in Hawaii.

Although the game is banned or regulated in many countries, it remains a popular pastime in the Philippines where both legal and illegal cockfights are rampant. Legal cockfights are scheduled weekly while tupada or illegal fights are held in secluded areas to avoid police raids.

Gameplay

In the game of sabong, two owners place their gamecock in the ring or cockpit. Bets are placed while the cocks fight each other to their deaths. In the Philippines, two types of knife or gaffe are used. Single-edged blades are used in major derbies; double-edged blades can