Sabong, or cockfighting, is one favorite pasttime among many Filipinos. Hardly is there any town or municipality in the Philippines that is without a sabungan or cockpit. In fact, the Philippines is among many nations that has well-established arenas with seats or bleachers for spectators surrounding the ring, similar to a wrestling or boxing arena, and cockfights may be held for hours on scheduled cockfight days.

The combatants, known as gamecocks, are specially bred birds, conditioned for increased stamina and strength. The birds are equipped with either gaffs or knives tied to the leg in the area where the bird’s natural spur has been partially removed. A tari (cockspur) is a bracelet (often made of leather) with a curved, sharp spike which is attached to the leg of the bird. The spikes typically range in length from “short spurs” of just over an inch to “long spurs” almost two and a half inches long.

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