A "Cultural Experience"

I told myself (and others) that I wasn't interested in going to one, but was told that it was a cultural experience that I should take part in at least once... so I did. Sunday night, after dinner, we went to a very large "underground" cock fight. It was unlike anything I've ever experienced. First of all, there are no foreigners to be found as this isn't a very touristy thing to do. So we were the only white people there. Second of all, it is not culturally acceptable for women to attend cock fights, so we were the only women there as well. Needless to say, when 6 white people arrive (including three women), we made quite a scene. They stopped everything and ushered us over to the good seats.

Before each fight begins, the betting takes place... all of a sudden, the crowd erupts in a roar as everyone is either placing bets or taking bets. This goes on for a few minutes and then the cock fight begins. I won't go into much detail other than to say that there are a lot of feathers flying during this portion of the evening and it's amazing how quickly each fight is over. (If you want more details about the fight, feel free to ask.) There are dozens of fights each hour and it goes on for hours... practically every night. How are there this many roosters in the Phils that they can have so many die every day and still have more the next?

One other item that is not quite captured in the pictures is the atmosphere in the arena. As Riley so aptly put it... "its like I'm living inside the filter of a cigarette!" It was so incredibly hot in there with so many people jammed in with no air circulation. We were drenched in our own sweat from just sitting still. And practically everyone was smoking, which wasn't helpful.

But, all in all, I am glad that I went. Cock fighting is a big part of Filipino culture, so I am glad that I had an opportunity to experience it.

(As we were walking out, we saw what they call "Cock Purses" which are used to transport the roosters. See the tail feathers sticking out the back of each purse?)