As part of the fiesta celebrations in that far-off barangay in Pampanga, the men got to play their games at the tupada. It was the very first time that I ever witnessed a cockfight, and it was kinda scary.
Scary because, well, I was practically the only female at the place, save for an elderly tindera who sold snacks, and I tell you, it was kind of intimidating. The minute we walked in, these men started staring at me. And I was like, 'Do I have big, fat pimple on my face?" Of course, clueless me did not realize that I had intruded into he-man territory. And by the time I did, I was like, 'Who cares? I want to see the fight!'
Scary because the he-men started shouting their bets in a language I could not comprehend. After awhile, the shouts turned into some kind of chant. It was surreal seeing grown men in their puruntongs and their beer bellies chanting as if in a trance.
Scary because as soon as the fight started, it was every man for himself. Every he-man jockeyed for "front row seats," which meant I got elbowed by one particularly aggressive tupada fan. Whatever!
Scary because, well, these roosters really fought to the death. A fight lasts for only seconds sometimes. But in those few seconds, you'd see how precious life is--even for a rooster.
Face off!
Dead chicken by the fire
Losers end up in the pot
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