WHAT was earlier promised will very soon become real. On June 28, a new modern cockpit equipped with modern amenities will open in Romblon’s prominent capital town of Odiongan to become the center of cockfighting activity in the MIMAROPA sub-region, Calabarzon, and even Western Visayas.
The old Odiongan cockpit closed shop in 2021 due to poor business at the height of the pandemic, when the Duterte administration imposed what could be regarded as one of the harshest lockdown in the world. It was not until two years ago that a plan to revive and establish a new one was put on the drawing board.
As soon as plans were firmed up in 2023, construction of the new cockfighting facility started earnestly last year. The modern facility has well lighted and spacious pit for the fighting cocks and betting afficionados– equipped with high resolution CCTVs and sufficent parking lots for motorized participants who will likely come from various points.
For five years, Odiongan did not have a cockpit. Cockfighting aficionados have to go to other places for their traditional pastime and diversion. Various groups planned to built a new cockpit but they did not succeed because they lack funds.
The new cockpit is owned and operated by Pines Estate Gaming Corporation. It passed through an ardous task of securing the required documents to get a franchise. It has promised to start its operations by offering big prizes for aficionadoes, who are expected to come in droves to celebrate the rebirth of this traditional pastime in the province of Romblon, not to mention jobs and income it would generate for the people of Odiongan.
The Cockfighting Law of 1974, officially enacted as Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 449, regulates cockfighting in the Philippines. Signed by former President Ferdinand Marcos on May 9, 1974, it aims to preserve cockfighting as a traditional cultural recreation while preventing excessive commercialization and uncontrolled gambling.
Hence, “Boss Noel” Corpuz, it's pit manager, reminds sabong aficionados to treat sabong as a sport or recreation, NOT gambling, in a manner that will foster harmony, sportmanship, fairness and camaraderie among all cockfighting enthusiasts.
“Hayaan natin na manok ang maglaban pero panatilihin natin lahat ang pagkakaibigan”, he said. “Maayos ang bagong sabongan. Malalapad ang daanan, kabi-kabila ang pasukan at labasan. Ginawa namin maaliwalas ang loob upang tagumpay man o talunan, ang atin mga kaibigan ay uuwi rin na maaliwalas ang pagmumukha. Kay misis na ang huling paghuhusga”, he stressed.
Email:bootsfra@gmail.com
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