Known locally as Sabong, cockfighting in the Philippines is much more than a game of chance; it is a deeply rooted cultural institution.
Unlike in many countries where it is banned, the practice is legal and regulated, although illegal variants do take place in underground venues.
The practice, which generates millions of dollars annually, consists of brutal and extremely fast-paced fights that, in most cases, end with one or both birds dead.
Part of the preparation for battle involves stressing the roosters to the extreme by tying sharp blades to their legs and forcing the opponents to peck at each other’s necks.
The betting system is complex and often relies on hand signals and shouts inside the “cockpit.” The business sustains a massive industry that includes breeders, feed manufacturers, and specialized trainers.
Walking through the cities, breeding facilities can be found in various forms: from plots of land with dozens of wooden huts to more makeshift setups such as cages made from recycled metal.
In an extremely unequal country where a large part of the population relies heavily on tourism, cockfights serve as a meeting point across social classes.
From farmers to politicians and businessmen, thousands of men gather each week to watch the fights in the arenas.
For many Filipinos, Sabong remains a reflection of a society where tradition, livelihood and gambling intersect.
Its presence extends far beyond the cockpit, connecting generations and social groups through a practice that has survived changing laws, economic hardship and shifting attitudes toward animal welfare.
At the same time, the violence at the heart of the spectacle remains impossible to separate from its cultural significance, revealing the contradictions of a tradition that continues to occupy a powerful place in everyday life.
