in the cockpit
This is definitely my first time in a cockpit. I would have preferred to be on an airplane cockpit, but unless I get really lucky and earn a flight badge, this “gallera” will do for now.
I stuck out like a sore thumb. Everybody was staring at me – from one heavily tattooed guy to the next heavily tattooed guy. Even the fighting cocks were eyeing me. I thought about chickening out of this place, but then I would be insulting all those chicken brought here from all over town to provide this afternoon’s bloody entertainment.
This is the pre-match. Owners compare their combatants and try to find a close equal to their cock to fight in the pit. A match is called when both owners agree on the pairing and the amount wagered.
Once the match is set, each cock is then armed with a blade tied to one of its legs.
The blades come in many sizes, and they are rented out to the owners. Should the cock win, the blade owner gets paid. If the cock loses, the blade is simply returned. Everything is a gamble.
Tying up the blade requires skill. This man has been at it for over 12 years. The blades are kept very sharp, and there have been stories of handlers being disemboweled in the cockpit.
Feathers are ruffled before the fight. Fighting cocks are provoked and agitated before the actual fight, just to make sure that it is in fighting form and will not turn tail.
And that’s when the noise level goes up. Suddenly everybody is shouting at the same time. Bets are called and matched by the “kristo”. It’s just amazing how they are able to track bets from many people all at once. I’m not quite familiar with the hand gestures but that is possibly a P200 bet.
and this could be P30, or P300, or P3,000.
that’s the referee
The best seats in the house. Very close to the action. The glass needs cleaning, though.
And eventually here is where most of the cocks end up – the chop shop. P100 will have the cock stitched up and ready again in a few weeks.
This is really not for the faint-hearted. There’s blood and feathers all around, and no anesthetic. They may be chicken, but they’ve got a lot more chutzpah than some people.
note:
I took care not to take photos of people who don’t want to be photographed. I didn’t know anybody, and anyone just might have something to hide. I have been asked by a big brawny fellow to take photos of some people sitting and a few others, and I quietly obliged without any intention of publishing them. In situations like this, prudence is of the utmost importance. I don’t think I will be coming back any time soon, if ever at all. I’ve seen enough and having to be on guard all the time just sucked my creative juices dry.
A walk with my camera 
Very interesting post, love your blog!
Very well captured.I admit it, I am not one to get squeamish when attending these events; I look forward to them. Sparring sessions are frequent in the barrios, blades are not used ( those are reserved for the real matches during fiestas). I have never been in a tournament where there are sitting areas, they make do with fenced in dirt floors in the barrios.
http://bitoflight.wordpress.com/2012/04/08/the-contenders/
it was the unfamiliar territory, the attention I was getting and the enclosed space that made it very unnerving. Throw into that some shady characters too.
These photos are very disturbing, especially the last couple photos of the bird being stitched up without anesthesia. I love that your photos portray real life situations – they are very moving, no matter how unpleasant…
thanks. It was my first time seeing the patch job and it definitely wasn’t a pretty sight.
Awesome shots, must have been anintimidating place to shoot, were you alone or did you have a guide/fixer!
I was foolish not to take along somebody who knows the territory and so I had to find friendly faces among those in the cockpit. Lesson learned, I hope. The shoot was a spur of the moment decision.
thanks!
That is really great photo shots up there. I believe I know the country. But, I am not even near to any of that place. You have delivered it very well. Good read.
thank you 🙂
I’ll be waiting for more pictures and posts from you. Your choice of topics really interest me. 🙂
thanks again!
super shots! 🙂
Great B&W photos of an unpleasant subject. Well done.
Not a fan of the subject matter but your photography is breathtaking…. 😉
Well, you managed to stir quite a few feelings here.. I’m shocked and quite provoked. I did however like the fact that you have said a few word to each picture. Good documentary photographing.
thank you all for dropping by. It was definitely an experience.
An interesting, if not disturbing, photo shoot. Well done for keeping your nerve, I personally wouldn’t have gone near the place.
disturbing…. that really sums it up. This is something I definitely won’t tell my mom.
Unique shots!
Mary
thanks
Great pictures 🙂
thank you
🙂
Great write up and story. I would like to see some of the photos of the chickens fighting it out but still these are great images. I also find it interesting hearing about you mentioning that “all of your creative juices were sucked out”. That’s a great way to put it when you are nervous.
I totally lost all thoughts of shooting the actual cockfight; it was really unnerving. When I think about it now, I should have been safe while inside and should have taken my time.
thanks!
Very interesting. I think you are on to something here and can build a fabulous photo documentary.
thanks!
For a first timer in the cockpit, you did an excellent narration. Been to one last year, and with company of “high rollers.” without the intention to gamble, but more on the curiousity to see ‘cocks fighting’.. This trip I didn’t quite make it there, but lost 10,000 PHP bet:))) I do not know if I will also have a chance to go back, but at least I’ve seen it .” you see it once you see them all!” – this is illegal over here:) thank you for an excellent piece of work.
that’s a very expensive educational trip to the cockpit. Unless I get an assignment to do this again with accompanying safe passage, I don’t think I will be visiting any cockpits again. This was a regular Sunday fight; a 4-cock derby is very crowded (I’ve been told) and I can only imagine how stuffy it will be if the place is filled up. It was an experience, though. Now I know what it’s like.