How many breeds out there do we already have in the Philippines' cockfighting scene?

Offhand, the likes of Lemons, Clarets, Kelso, Roundhead, Doc Robinson, Mc Lean and Blueface pop out---mostly American names!

Hardly a Filipino name comes up, why?

I refuse to believe that we, Filipinos, are "lacking in character" to rival those of the Americans--yet to think that the Philippines is now considered the cockfighting capital of the world.

Something just doesn't add up, why?

Does the true Filipino character a mere puppet--that what emerges out of the cockfighting capital of the world, are Filipino actors playing out the roles of genuine American characters, a copy-cut?

Does it justify the statement that we are indeed a nation of entertainers?

Come to think of it, does the irony bears a semblance of truth?

Or is it enough for us to say proudly that the Olympics of cockfighting is right here already on our beloved soil, at the Araneta Coliseum: The Arena of true champions.

Still,something out there is not being true--it's like having a foreigner for a King in our very own land, as if we're still colonized by a foreign power,is that right?

That even in cockfighting, we remain a conquered breed, rather, a conquered nation, so to speak!

The fact that an all American breeds rule our very own Philippine cockfighting arena; something is amiss.

Which is the inconsistency of the fact that it is being consistently ignored: A True Filipino Breed Bred by a True Filipino Character--that is, the uncrowned truth, in fact, an unwelcome truth, for it is in truth an "error" we would rather cherish to keep!

A Filipino character flaw?

We,Filipino breeders, are having too much fun and excitement watching these American characters, that we're missing the point of the whole story.

Because the most important part of the whole story is ,we, Filipino breeders, having been children for many years of the American breeder's, are suppose to grow up.

But the years that gone by have only proven one thing: We hardly grew up!

For,we, Filipino cockers, remain looking up to them, American breeders, like a child, as we always do--still, for the many years to come, never growing up to becoming our own man, someday; for them, Americans, to finally look up to us and say, clasping our hands and wildly shaking it. "Son," with such an awe and fatherly admiration as he smiles out. "You've grown up to be a man who can hold his own."

A son indeed outgrowing even his own father's hard habits--A Son who Grew up To Be a Man who came back to pay his dues.

In other words, the classic pupil now surpassing the teachings of his old mentor.

Or rather, to sum things up, that of a Filipino character behind a Filipino breed ultimately being the true champion in our very own Philippine cockfighting arena--now that would truly add things up, the moral of the whole story being learned.

Rooster Man



[This message has been edited by Rooster Man (edited 01-23-2002).]

Rooster Man,

Relax. It's not about Filipino this, American that, IMHO.

It's about Bloodline and availability. There are no Mangoes and Coconuts in America. There is no Rambutan either. Well, if there is, it's imported.

There are no champion bloodlines that are local breeds either. Which is why we import.

Those bloodlines you talked about don't even originate from America. They came from other places. The breeders there just improved on them, which our breeders are also trying to do.

So what's the problem? No one "owns" anything. They all come from different places, we all just try and improve on them.

Thanks and good day.

[This message has been edited by Rooster Man (edited 01-22-2002).]

JC,

I'm talking about the Man behind the breed--say, the Lemon.

How this breed did originate tells a lot about the Man who bred him into a smart and cutting breed, this Lemon.

Perhaps the Man used to be a "melon." That since he realized he wasn't athletic enough to measure up in the rough and tough world he found himself in, he did compensate for it with his brains--and his-slow-but-sure-attitude-approach towards life, did more than make up for his shortcomings.

So this breed, the Lemon, which he originated, bears the imprint of his character--the stamped of the man who wouldn't mince no words, rather, would just walk the talk to prove his point.

Now this Lemon breed, that we so admire not for his flashy moves, but for his cutting accuracy and brains, used to be the "melon" who just grew up into a fine Lemon: An Extension of the Man Who Bred this Breed to Bear the Imprint of his Character

Mr.Lemon indeed had contributed to us, cockers, a great part of himself--his character, infused in the genes of his Lemon breed, characterizes Mr. Lemon's own brand of cockfighting, which he had introduced to the cockfighting world.

Meet the Man behind the breed: Mr.Lemon

His character has lived on!

Rooster Man



[This message has been edited by Rooster Man (edited 01-22-2002).]

Aren't the Lemons basically the Hatch/Butcher/Claret bred by Duke Hulsey? [img]//sabong.com.ph/UbbNonCgi/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Originally posted by Gallos Locos:
Aren't the Lemons basically the Hatch/Butcher/Claret bred by Duke Hulsey? [img]//sabong.com.ph/UbbNonCgi/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Gallos Locos,

Owen Mc Guinnis bred for Duke Hulsey his white and yellow legged Lemons.


Rooster Man

HI just to add my opion as a person who lives in a country that has BANNED all types of Sabong.
If you feel the Filipino's have been puppets that will change soon. the aminal rights people are getting stronger and if they get there way they will ban it in the USA. then what will happen? The Philippines or Mexico Tailand may be, The breeders in the US have to move there birds,if they want to stay active .
They will then look for help ,they will look overseas to countries and to People who can help them .Don't get me wrong I am not being Critical of them, but unfortunantly this could happen the cocks and the fighting could be banned.Who will then be puppets there will have to be people prepared to be the new leader in the gamefowl world. will they be from Mexico or from another country. I hope not .
The people involved in the Philippines have to take charge . breed Pure to keep the strains alive and to create new ones that will keep the future genetic material safe and avaiable .
This is just my opinion
Cheer
Matt

Matt,

Do you think by giving your child all that he wants, it will make him a better child, a child with a better foundation for his character-formation?

Rooster Man



[This message has been edited by Rooster Man (edited 01-22-2002).]

Originally posted by JC:
Rooster Man,
Relax. It's not about Filipino this, American that, IMHO.
It's about Bloodline and availability. There are no Mangoes and Coconuts in America. There is no Rambutan either. Well, if there is, it's imported.
There are no champion bloodlines that are local breeds either. Which is why we import.
Those bloodlines you talked about don't even originate from America. They came from other places. The breeders there just improved on them, which our breeders are also trying to do.
So what's the problem? No one "owns" anything. They all come from different places, we all just try and improve on them.
Thanks and good day.

I have the same idea when it comes to watches, auto-mobiles, audio-speakers, firearms etc. It's actually not a geographical thing, it's about quality and craftsmanship regarding the product.

Hi what I meant Roosterman is the game birds came from England with the migrants to america. They banded them in Great Britton, America took over and furthered the breeds with selective breeding,If they are baned In America I would like to see ,and I hope the Philippines takes over as the Number one Breeding country in the world.
This will be hard work for everyone involved in the Game cock industry.Nothing will be handed out even to my own son. he will work for his own identity not live of what I have done .Everyone I think should go out and prove that they are capable you can only instill ideals and morals and pray that you have done them justice

Y.F.I.S
Cheers
Matt

[This message has been edited by Matt Dunne (edited 01-20-2002).]

Originally posted by TonyDel:
I have the same idea when it comes to watches, auto-mobiles, audio-speakers, firearms etc. It's actually not a geographical thing, it's about quality and craftsmanship regarding the product.

Tonydel,

Probably, your individual preferences about quality and craftsmanship would best fit in to its proper forum talks in the future: Electronics, Guns and Ammo's, Automobile's, etc.

Rooster Man

Matt,

Did you really think that if ever the American breeders should decide to bring all their fowls here in the Philippines, for them to escape the self-righteous wrath of their most hated ***'s, and begin to breed en masse all their pure fowls in here with vengeance, the Filipino cockers in general would then begin to grow in character?

Perhaps what you've meant is that the Philippines will now become the leading suppliers of American fowls to the world at large, is that right?

In other words, American characters would still take the lead, overshadowing more than ever, the Filipino character which would still remain, so to speak, a child at heart of the American breeder's.

But, on a positive note, employment of Filipino hands in the provinces would surely be in demand; and a new export industry would help boost Philippine economy.

Most significantly, the American breeders would then become the new heroes of our land.

Indeed, proving to all, that nothing would be changed, right?

YFIS
Rooster Man




[This message has been edited by Rooster Man (edited 01-22-2002).]

Roosterman I hope I don't offend anyone in my reply as this is only my opionion


It seems that the Character or Fault in the Filipino mentality that you talk about could be a problem as you have discribed


Could it have started by the case of the rich getting richer and the poor falling behind. If the people of influence can bypass rules and regulations because of who they are?

These problems can cause a mentality of who cares, If the people of influence can do it why can't I? The people of power and influence should lead by example,show some leadership and teach what is right or wrong lead by example.

This is what I mean The opertunity could and is available to get great brood fowl. Lead by example and show the cockers in the Philippines that there is a better way,They can and will be one day soon the true World leaders in the Game fowl indestry.

What happens to all the broodstock that is imported? Why haven't new strains been started? The fowl are in the Philippines already. Maybe the mentality is let the American's do all the work we will just buy more when we need it.So who is the Puppet if they think this way?


If the gamefowl are Banned in the USA where will people get them from.Hopefully from Pinoy's who have expanded thier paradimes and seen the opertunity to set new strains,and to improve the stocks that are already in the Country NOT let the Americans cockers move in and control the gamefowl industry.

Just my opionion

Y.F.I.S
Cheers
Matt



[This message has been edited by Matt Dunne (edited 01-20-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Rooster Man (edited 01-22-2002).]

[quote]Originally posted by Rooster Man:
[b] Matt,

The last ten years have seen two significant things developed:

The Filipino cockers have become such a very good buyers of American fowls while the American breeders have become such a very good sellers of American fowls.

As you can see, the general direction they are going leads to the crossroad where, "money is everything" and "a champion bloodline is the only thing," meets in handshake.

These two facts are the main reasons why too much "importing" of American fowls, in the last ten years, has reached fever pitch; these 2 complements each other, business-wise.

Meaning, money dictates everything.

Because if you do not have the money you can't afford to buy imported American fowls, simple as that, right?

Perhaps, it means that Filipinos have become richer and the poor become poorer, how is that so, is simply measured by how the sales of American fowls by Filipino buyers have grown by leaps and bounds; and yet poor Filipinos living in poverty still flood the city streets, a common sight that has gotten worse, also, in the last ten years.

Something is incompatible with reality, right?

Are the Filipinos really getting richer, or are they getting poorer?

Perhaps part of the answer lies on the fact that many Filipinos are already working abroad, the OFW's, the new "buying" force to emerge, which the American breeders have found just as enthusiastic, rather, more enthusiastic, than their usual rich Filipino clienteles.

The market for the American fowls, actually, has multiplied by a hundredfold; the OFW's, being the new market force to reckon with.

But where is the question of character that I'm talking about seems to fit in?

Perhaps the answer lies in the event when the Filipino breeders begin to really make do with what they already have, for them to truly linebreed and inbreed; for them to select the outstanding cocks and broodhens coming out from the yards--the best of the best out of his best selections of his best picked offsprings, will now become his own version of what a pure is. The Filipino breeder can now maintain it for a long time, just what American breeders also do; maintain it for 20,30,40, even 50 years--until their vey name, the Filipino breeder's name himself, stuck into the breed itself.

That way, the Filipino breeder can maintain the best of the best of his "once" imported breed; for him to make good work through his own sweat of his so called best breed that he has the good fortune of laying his hands on; without him, having to look for more of outside blood, which he will use for more blood infusions--or he will always be crossing his fingers for more experimentational crosses, until his best breed breeds out; and he will have to come back to the American breeders, for more of their so called pure ones--rather, a vicious cycle that most Filipino cockers expensively enjoy going about.

In short, breed according to your own idea of what a perfect fowl is--a fowl, that is almost a "stamped" of your own character; an extension of yourself there at the cockpit; how the people recognizes you from the way your best-bred fowl fights for you--your own brand of cockfighting--you!

But then you will argue that that's already what most Filipino breeders are doing, line-breeding and in-breeding their so called pure ones, right?

Still, my question is, why do they come back to the American breeders for more, does the problem lies on their own defective selection process, or is it because the American breeders are not really giving the Filipino breeders the pure ones that they're actually paying for; or,perhaps,it is because the Filipino cockers don't exactly know what they really want--worse, hardly have an idea of what a perfect fowl is! That they only have the money to boot at and will just rely on what the American breeder tells him, what the American breeder's own idea of what a perfect fowl is---or, is it mainly because of a deeper problem unrelated at all to breeding or to cockfighting, which is rather character-related: Colonial Mentality

Try asking some Filipino cockers themselves, and you will hear one of them saying proudly, "Oh I grew up with colonial mentality," and jokes about the fact of his own phony, rather, supposedly funny character; then you will also hear the other one saying, "I don't mind having a colonial mentality," as he considers it just a fact of his own characterless life.

But generally this is one mentality that most Filipino cockers would "normally" hate to admit--for as I said, the problem maybe is not chicken-related, rather, is character-related.

YFIS
Rooster Man

By the way, Matt, I see a man of character behind the name. I greatly appreciate your humility and open-mindedness and your valuable ideas, I hope we can have more discussion of this kind. Thanks.

R.M.



[This message has been edited by Rooster Man (edited 01-27-2002).]

[rk_opteryx]

Rooster Man,

It seems like it's actually every Pinoy's dream to be able to come up with his own breed of fowl that would carry his identity down into the pages of cocking history. Who wouldn't?? But the thing is, not everyone is fortunate enough to have the money so as to be able to afford the best bloodlines from abroad.

Of the ones that are not really rich, but have been able to acquire good broodstocks, they too, face an almost insurmountable dilemma on how to keep that breed they have
intact. Let's face it, it's not an easy task to keep gamefowl. It's a lot of hard work and you bet, an expensive hobby or even business to keep.

Not unless the average Pinoy is receiving lots and lots of funds from abroad or has perhaps, a good stable business financer to back up his expensive endeavor, it would be very hard for him to succeed. Although there has been a lot of written materials published about breeding and available to the public, MONEY definitely has a lot to do with the success in one's breeding program. At least in the US, the cost of feeds is not that bad compared to what our kababayans have to pay over there, and still the quality of local feed is somewhat compromised, if not poor. To get the best kind simply means you need to pay more. What about the regular vitamins, wormers, electrolytes, vaccines, sanitation and utilites for maintenance?? They too, cost a lot of money!! And for any ordinary cocker, these things simply aren't affordable.

Is it any wonder then?? The best breeders here in the US, could afford to conduct their CULLING procedure ever so seriously. So what if they only end up having only a fourth or a fifth of what they started breeding out to ensure they only keep the best to meet their standards??

To them it is well worth it. Can all the Pinoys do the same?? Maybe some. But perhaps they would be few and far in between. It would seem preposterous to say it but the ones struggling financially in this business would not help but consider the expenses involved in raising game fowl, and it won't be surprising if they would rather close their eyes than to cull what may seem less than ideal. What, after all that has been invested in them?? Tell me, isn't that one of our traits to be thrift-wise although in this instance obviously self-defeating?? Quality-wise, they may not be worthy of entering the regular hackfights and much less derbies, but people would still somehow find value in them by selling them for what they may not even be worth. And yes, there would still be those who would buy them simply because of their so called "imported line." Again, Colonial mentality you might say??

It may sound like I'm hypercritical of what is happening but on the contrary. (I'm merely trying to state my observations). Sad to say but as less fortunate ones, that's about what they could afford and if that's what would make them happy, then so be it. They, too, have their own niche in the society.

On the other hand, those Pinoys cockers who are more privileged and comfortable by standards, are apt to be as good if not better than the American breeders just wait and see. I have seen someone mention about availability and accessibility in the previous posts and I really believe that spells the difference in this game, between being on top and just being so-so.

With all these things going on in the US about the ***'s pushing the sport into extinction, perhaps it's only a matter of time when the Pinoy identity you're in search of would actually come to reality. But until then, I would not really worry about it.

I think I understand your concern but Time is much too precious for us to waste and which should instead be spent in savoring the things that makes us happy and enjoy life at its best. And that my friend, is the bottomline.

You guys have a great day!!

If local breeders would concentrate on breeding a single breed or blend and produce uniform looks and style, then every Filipino breeder would have his/her own bloodline. If one does not have a uniform flock, then it is hard to develop a strain as one would lack the time, space, money and effort in devoloping a lot of breeds.

rk opteryx,

Separating the Man from the boys is the bottomline that I speak of.

There are cockers who are happy just being a cocker, enjoying themselves to the fullest as time is short and precious.

There are cockers who are just pretending to be cockers, taking themselves in for a great ride along with their ilks, to kill time and boredom.

There are cockers who are out to make a big kill of other people's pocket, gambling every step of the way, emptying his own pocket along the way.

There are cockers who make a living being a cocker, gambling other people's money, pocketing some of it to feed his own family.

There are cockers whose happiness is neither in the gambling nor hopping for the sake of fun, but breeding his own fowls merely for a hobby--and sometimes for money.

There are cockers whose own happiness is in the making of big money, out of breeding his own fowls, breeding for a name that smells of big profit.

But there is One cocker Who stands Alone.

He Who breeds with a Passion.

The Man and his Rooster--the two are inseparable.

One in Spirit and one in Character.

The Creator and his Creation. The Artist and his Masterpiece. The Man and his Breed.

The Man's Rooster.

The Man, whose own bred Rooster speaks for his own Brand of cockfighting--the Man, whose Name, his Rooster fights to death for.

The kind of fighting-to-death that breaths life to the legacy of the Man and his Rooster--how they become One in the Spirit of Winning.

The Man and his Rooster.

Inseparable--and one, the true..

Rooster Man!



[This message has been edited by Rooster Man (edited 01-24-2002).]

Originally posted by TonyDel:
If local breeders would concentrate on breeding a single breed or blend and produce uniform looks and style, then every Filipino breeder would have his/her own bloodline. If one does not have a uniform flock, then it is hard to develop a strain as one would lack the time, space, money and effort in devoloping a lot of breeds.

Tonydel,

That's what the American breeders are doing to lure Filipino buyers in to the idea of their own version of what a pure is.

Uniformity in flocks is more of a business idea of the American breeder's.

To satisfy customer expectation.

Unless, of course, your intention is to sell for profit,too,and lure in Filipino buyers right here in our country, that will work, business-wise.

Rooster Man

[rk_opteryx]

Rooster Man,

Hello!! I wish everyone had that kind of fervor and passion like you possess in search of the "Ultimate Filipino Cocker" worthy of erecting a statue to show the whole cockingdom that we indeed have our share of the best amongst the best.

If there were those that made it to the cocker's "Hall of Fame", they are relatively few. And going through what's been documented about their careers, we hear more about their strings of successes but very little indeed regarding their failures, if any. Perhaps, it is safe to say, that nobody really knew for sure of how many other bloodlines or families they have actually ruined before they finally became famous.

Come to think of it, whatever "nicks" they had produced that carried them to fame was only by accident. I don't really think they knew about it well ahead of time. And why they have experimented breeding all kinds of families during their lifetime simply attest to the fact that they didn't know then just as we don't know now which families when bred together would produce that "elusive nick." There really is nothing absolute when it comes to Genetics, otherwise, those in the know would occupy the top spot "permanently."

It is in the light of this that I don't see
anything wrong if the Pinoy cockers have this inclination to breed, cross, infuse, etc. their fowl with another family (or families) resulting in all kinds of stature and feather coloring, enough to compete with the rainbow. I may not believe in one's breeding practices but I simply have to respect it because we all have our own unique ways of doing things. If he's willing to pay what others would consider as exorbitant in importing birds from the Americans, (regardless of what make up he might have been told) that is his bag. No, I'm not trying to defend the unscrupulous US breeders, but nobody twisted their arms to sell them if they don't want to.

I'm not sure whether there is an absolute need to have a Filipino Breed in order to build on a Filipino Character or identity.
Now if someone probably made history by fighting his pure Labuyo, Balulang, etc. without any American infusion, perhaps it may be worth claiming truly a totally Filipino Breed.

What is important to note is, Pinoys have their share of winning the prestigious international derbies using whatever birds they have previously gotten and improved from these Americans. And for all we care, that Filipino Character has always been there as a trademark long before we have embarked on our quest for a "perfect fighting cock."

On a last note and speaking of Character, I would gladly bow down and take my hat off to anyone, regardless whether he be categorized as belonging to the "boys" but would not be afraid or intimidated to field his birds against any famous bloodlines imported from the US or any part of the world, rain or shine; someone notwithstanding which famous American breeder it originated from but most of all, someone who would always conduct himself as a gentleman not only in times of victory but more so, in times of defeat.

Thanks and as always, you all have a great day!!

rK opteryx,

Who We Were, Who We Are, Who We Ought To Be?

The first seed of colonial mentality was planted in 1521.

When Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan set foot on the soil of Cebu armed in both hands with a "sword and a cross" and stuck it on the ground.

This was symbolic: Magellan wanted the natives to submit themselves fully to the will and rulership of the king of Spain.

The Spaniards then "converted and baptized" the natives as they introduced their religion of the "crucified Christ."

Magellan was shrewd.

The "crucified Christ" was meant to "condititon both the hearts and minds" of the natives,for them to submit without question to whatever the Spanish king would dictate.

Obedience, the sword of Spain demanded, symbolized our new faith, resting in the hands of the Roman Catholic, and most importantly, our new obligation to pay our taxes to the Spanish throne.

The Spaniards named our islands Philippines, in honor of King Philip, then the king of Spain.

Our islands then became the colony of Spain and their religion, the Roman Catholic, became ours to embrace--our golds, in turn, became theirs for the taking.

For almost 400 years, Spain ruled us with a "sword and a cross."

"Obedience" and "submission" were the first seedlings of colonial mentality.

The Spanish priests, or the friars, blessed our bowed heads, while the Spanish authorities raped our women, and made our men their slaves, and those who refused to bow their heads were garroted.

That unpopular trait of "martir" wombed on our Filipina women was the implant of abusive Spaniards. While the popular belief of Filipino's tendency to side with the "underdog" was rooted on the feeling of being "enslaved."

"Martir" and "underdog" were seeded in the Filipino character.

"Opo" and "mano po," the Filipino's version of Spanish "bowed heads," became a traditional gestures in the Filipino family as a sign of respect for the elders.

The racist air of superiority did put on by the aristocratic Spaniards in turn seeded in the Filipinos a feeling of a deep "sense of inferiority."

Which explains why Filipinos were thought to be shy by nature.

Apparently, the Filipino character being reared during the Spanish tyrannical rule bordered between "inferiority," and an attitude that characterized an "eagerness to please." The Spaniards had meant it that way. For the "indios" to look up to them,and for the Spaniards, to look down on us, "indios!"

That well-known Filipino hospitality when strangers visit our homes was characterized by: An eagerness to please the master

Most noticeably, this Filipino hospitality was at its best when the visitor turned out to be a foreigner.

Also, the Spaniards did not want us to grow intellectually. One of the reasons, in fact, why they had marked us out as "indios"--and it stuck! Filipinos under the Spanish rule had "lost" his own "sense of identity," which paved the way for an almost 4 centuries of Spanish domination of our people, a clear indication of a people who would rather suffer in silence and ignorance--out of low self esteem.

The Spaniards schemed out ways to discourage the education of the "indios" to deliberately avoid what they had always feared: Intellectual awakening that would lead to the revolt of the "indios" against Spain.

But the intellectual awakening was in the offing.

Led by the "mestizos," who were educated in Spanish-run universities, courtesy of their being half-breds.

Still, these "mestizos" experienced being persecuted by the full-bred Spaniards. So they studied in Europe, and some of them became part of the mainstream intellectuals whose revolutionary ideas were sweeping across the continent.

Jose Rizal was one of those "indios" who rose into such intellectual heights--putting into shame, the superiority complex of the Spaniards, when he won literary acclaims, besting those of the Spaniards in U.S.T..

Then came the rise of a great Filipino painter Juan Luna for his world-acclaimed masterpiece "The Spolarium."

The Filipino identity, thus, began to take its roots.

Rizal's death by firing squad gave birth to the Filipino revolution against Spain, headed by a typical uneducated indio, Andres Bonifacio.

Then came the Americans. And the Spaniards were driven out.

Emilio Aguinaldo became the first President of the Philippine Republic when he conspired to assasinate Andres Bonifacio. But his presidency was short-lived. The Americans who helped him against the Spaniards soon captured him and paid him "dollars" to leave the country for Hongkong.

"Political murder" and "corruption" were the second seedlings of Filipino colonial mentality.

"Death" being the sentence of the Spanish authorities meted out to rebellious indios, and "corruption," being the bread and butter of the Spanish authorities.

The Americans took over.

This new colonizers, the Filipinos rejoiced, were of totally different breed. They were smiling, easy-going, friendly, gave us "imported" chocolates, wines, and cigarettes; taught us a thing or two of the American ways--"hi joe," an expression in total contrast to the castillan rigidity of bowing our heads when greeting the Spaniards. The American soldiers also brought with them a much better rooster, more beautiful than the Spanish cocks, known as "Texas."

The Filipinos indeed admired the Americans with such awe: The conqueror of the conqueror's

Inevitably,a new Filipino colonial mentality had taken its root: Anything American was better!

Then, much to the Filipino's great surprise, American teachers came to educate us.

Allowing the Filipinos to soak themselves up with American books, to read and study how the Americans struggled and fought for their own independence against the British rule. The Filipinos learned for themselves the principles that had made the Americans great--conqueror of the conqueror's

Soon the study of American history opened the eyes of the Filipinos.

And what they saw was a nation united by a common goal: Freedom from Foreign Rule

The key to greatness of a nation, the Filipinos realized, was "to unite its people and achieve freedom from foreign rule."

For this realization, a new breed of Filipino intellectuals had grown, proud and now educated, had seeded for the first time an idealism into their thinking: Freedom-Inspired-Individualism

Now these Filipino intellectuals soon became politicians.

Manuel L.Quezon, who spoke both good Spanish and English, brought his eloquent political rhetoric to the ears of Washington D.C. to campaign for Philippine indenpendence.

Achieving his goal, together with Osmena and Roxas, the first Philippine commonwealth government was established, and Manuel L.Quezon, became its first President.

A new era was in the air: A Filipino nation was born

But again it was short-lived--when the Japanese imperial forces rushed across our land, shouting, "Banzai Nippon!"

General Homma's army drove Gen. Mc Arthur away, "marching to death" thousands of the remaining American-Filipino soldiers off Bataan, and the Japanese Imperialists established a puppet government of Pres. Jose P. Laurel.

This was the period when the bond between the Filipinos and the Americans were written in blood. Heroes died by the thousands as American and Filipino soldiers fought a common enemy bent on unleashing terror not only on the malayan race but even threatened to strike terror right at the heart of the America soil. But in this period also an errant colonial mentality snaked itself in, to rear its ugly head and reveal its own version of treachery:"Balimbings"

This new colonial mentality took its root from our attitude of an "eagerness to please the master" that we imbibed during the Spanish tyrannical rule, and rather, improved on when the Americans came, but took a turn for the worse, when Filipinos of pusillanimous spirit chose to cooperate, when the Japanese came and defeated the Americans: An eagerness to please the new master!

"I shall return," were the immortal words of Gen. Mc Arthur when he left for Australia, and left the war-torn Philippines under the emaciated generalship of a once very healthy Gen. Wainwright. The Filipinos, at their lowest spirits, remembered Gen. Mc Arthur's promise with an almost divine faith.

When Gen. Mc Arthur and his liberation forces landed in Leyte to fulfill his promise of liberating the Filipinos from the imperial grip of the Japanese invaders, and had indeed "fulfilled his prophetic words" as he defanged and later hung the Tiger of Malaya, Gen. Yama****a, the Filipino's hero-worship of the Americans began "to spread its roots."

In fact,our faith in the Americans took a historic root--a faith, the fervor of which, intensified with such an almost undying loyalty: Anything Americans were not only better but the best!

This hero-worship of the Americans by the Filipinos has greatly outgrown the idealism that Filipinos could have fully achieved and realized; ironically, this hero-worship of the Americans is now characterized ordinarily by the Filipinos typical dream and aspiration--of "America," being the "land of greener pasture," has become the Filipino's own version of Israel's "promised land."

And so with our passion for American fightingcocks--our "faith" in the American breeder's words and our "religious journey" to get hold of their "promised" champion cock!

Colonial Mentality?

.."governs the mind of a defeated nation or an individual--its own best excuse, for refusing to defeat its own failure to shine as a nation; or as an individual, whose true identity remains just a shadow of someone he glorifies."

In short, it's about time for,us, Filipinos to unite and achieve a common goal: Freedom from colonial thinking and to start turning anything Filipino the better, if not the best!

So let's begin sowing the seed--out of which will grow the true Filipino character, free and proud and individual, worthy of other nation's admiration and emulation, a seed from which our greatness as a nation will shine, and the original Filipino character will emerge--a seed from which we will reap the true Filipino way of forward-thinking: The Filipino Mentality At Its Best!

Rooster Man




[This message has been edited by Rooster Man (edited 01-26-2002).]

[rk_opteryx]

Rooster Man,

Thank you for the tour back in time.

Frankly speaking, I'm rather intrigued with the idea of "starting to sow the seeds" to make way for the New Filipino Character or identity, if you would.

I also have the impression this search for a new identity is primarily linked to and if not a direct cause of this nagging thought of Colonial Mentality and how it restricts the advancement of the present day Pinoy in his endeavors.

By the way, how many of you guys and fellow kababayans truly believe that we have indeed lost our own identity as Filipinos as a result of events that started out 400 years ago?

It must have been hard. It must have been horrible if not devastating to say the least
to live during those times. But our ancestors survived it all, otherwise, we wouldn't be around today and talk about it.

It may have taken a long time for the Philippines to gain its independence and by God, they got it! And it's something we really ought to be thankful for and safeguard.

Or are we really indeed free as a people, as a nation and as a race?

To say that we need to establish a new identity or character as a Filipino means that we're not really free. Freedom should not only viewed as absence of a foreign power ruling over a nation but it must also be viewed in its most abstract forms, hence in the way we think as a people, as a race and as a nation.

Should a trait that leaves much to be desired like "Colonial Mentality" be a deciding factor or reason enough for the present day Pinoy to go about and put on a new face and a new identity?

I'm sorry but I really find that too shallow.
Besides, there's a whole bunch of other traits that Pinoys are well known for. Why put that much importance on something that is not true anyway? Of course, what has been instilled in the minds of our ancestors 400 years ago that they were inferior to the Spaniards in all aspects is nothing but a fallacy. Why even allow something that happened 400 years ago, especially a false one, influence our way of thinking, and more so, today?

So what use or purpose is this expression of of Colonial Mentality, if any, in today's society?

A) It's nothing but a mere expression.

B) It nothing but a cop out, a sorry excuse for whatever is lacking in our achievements whatever it is. It's like an easy way out.... "Don't blame me. Blame it on my ancestors 400 years ago."

Of course, these are just my personal opinion and I'm rather curious what others have to say.

Take care and have a nice day.

rk opteryx,

My apology for boring you almost to sleep during the trip, I sure have not meant it.

But you're such a good listener that I have become so engrossed even with my own chit-chat, that already I've forgotten that I'm supposed to be talking at IMHO's.

I must agree with you that the expression "colonial mentality" is indeed a "shallow" one--a fallacy, that nobody seems to care at all, is a matter of fact.

Which is why during our so called trip, in between your yawns,(and to this I admit of guilt,) I still have the impoliteness to show you, in my not-so-humble-opinion how things came to be--the tracks from where some traces of our footprints still show: Footprints of our then colonized people

However,I'm afraid that instead of keeping you wide-eyed during the trip, I have merely succeeded in making you feel more sleepy--jolts you off, each and every time I talk; that,here is a man, whom I regret to see fighting it, would rather sleep than wake up, suddenly shoots up as he shouts,"Shallow!"

I thought you were referring to those "shallow" tracks that I have dared show you,rather,impolitely on my part; before I realized upon seeing your eyes red with sleep, that you were meaning to say that I'm talking "shallow!"

To this I feel shame seizing me all over. For, here I am, taking a man on a tour by his elbow, hoping for him to hear and see a little bit of history here and there; and quite belatedly realizing that the man whom I'm with, who is almost asleep, has been there, to those places, many times over.

So it is clear that I'm not saying anything new at all--to this man, whom I have the gall to rouse from his supposedly "deep" sleep. And I feel am deeply sorry for being shallowly unaware.

To this impertinence I've soon realized that I was doing it in bad taste, for all my talk just leaves a bad taste in the mouth of any one within an earshot, right?

That colonial mentality is something to be hated, never to be admitted, an admission is a sign of weakness--a confession of guilt!

To this I agree and believe it to be true.

So you are right when you say that colonial mentality is a fallacy, that it is not true, that it is false, just an expression, an excuse, a cop-out, not at all influential in our thinking--history and colonial mentality, be damned! right?

Wrong, my friend.

Have you forgotten that it's the best cure for insomnia?

Just as colonial mentality is the best excuse of most Filipinos for sleeping while hearing it.

Rooster Man





[This message has been edited by Rooster Man (edited 01-29-2002).]

[rk_opteryx]

Rooster Man,

Hey man, I don't know what's there you need to apologize about? And contrary to what you said, you haven't bored me to sleep on that toour. Not at all, Sir!!

In fact, you amaze me because you know your own history like you would the back of your hand. And I'm saying that as a compliment. Take it from someone who survived a few of those flying erasers as he dozed it through History Class many, many moons ago. (LOL!!)

It's very obvious that you're a very well read person and quite keen at how send your messages across, catching yourself where you think you've veered off and most of all, having the guts to ask for an apology where you think you've made a mistake.

I don't know how many others would readily do that and I would like to say that really admire you on that part. It might seem that I'm putting you on but I'm not. The least I could do is give credit where it is due.

Sorry, if my posting was misconstrued to be referring at you as being shallow because it was not. I was referring to the belief itself as being too shallow as to warrant a need for a change in identity to the present day Pinoy and I hope I have made it clear this time.

I hope you continue posting. It whets people's intellect and makes them hunger for more.

Cheers!!

rk opteryx,

My friend, you begin to confuse me.

First, you were wondering what my apology was about, saying I did not bore you to sleep at all during our so called history tour--but next line you were saying how erasers flew while you dozed your time off during your history class.

Second, you were questioning my apology and yet at the same time, there you were, expressing your own apology, too.

Third, you said you were amazed at how well I knew my history, yet at the same time you admire me for catching myself well from where I veered off, how I apologized my way out of a mistake.

Fourth, you said you find the idea of colonial mentality itself as shallow, yet when I allowed you to see how my own version of history as it unfolds concerning colonial mentality--how deep the roots were, taking you back in time almost 400 years ago, you still say it is shallow; but that it whets the intellect of some people, and they hunger for more--you mean they hunger for more shallow ideas?

Or do you mean to say that our society has a shallow idea of what the true meaning of colonial mentality is?

My friend, please don't take me wrong, I know you mean well, I just can't help but ask you for some clear-cut answers, is that okay?

By the way, I'm not as well-read as you would have imagined, the internet, my friend,
is an encyclopedia by itself. Thanks.

Rooster Man








[This message has been edited by Rooster Man (edited 01-26-2002).]

[rk_opteryx]

Rooster Man,

Have you ever had that experience of being interrupted in the middle of what you're doing (like typing perhaps) and when you're finally back on that chair, you feel that you're not there yet mentally?

Following that burning smell to the kitchen, something was indeed burning and producing thick smoke! Soon as it was out, there was that frantic banging on the front door, unable to unlock it and needing to use the bathroom real bad. And after rushing to the rescue like a bolt of lightning, the person tells me "Thanks but it's a little too late now." Going back to what I was doing I kept asking myself "What the hell happened?" I go about my typing but I could swear I feel like I'm out in limbo.

The "mistake" I was referring to is about you saying you might have bored me to sleep during that tour.

About that "veering of" thing pertains to the second paragraph of your post (the one above mine).

On that "apologizing" thing, maybe this one is a little harder to explain. Say, for instance, someone tells you that he or she feels is offended if not embarassed by something you have said (inadvertently of course, in as much as it was not your intention to hurt anyone). But the way it was communicated was rather tactful and there was no expression of anger or resentment whatsover. Wouldn't that make you feel bad or humbled to ask for an apology yourself? Isn't that one humbling experience?

On the "shallowness" thing, it wasn't anything near as to refer to you as a person nor your post. I have more respect for you than to say something to that effect. I think you know that. That one is a mistake that I made myself. Moreover, what I should have said was Colonial Mentality would surely be a shallow excuse if used to justify something we're lacking of. But to
say that Colonial Mentality has no importance would be grossly wrong! While it's there for us to look back, it should never be used as an easy way out.

I also have a hard time trying to type and I couldn't type fast enough to catch up with my thoughts. When I do type fast, my fingers aren't that cooperative and by the time I have corrected and connected all my statements, the idea I'm trying to convey is no longer there like I originally wanted it to come out in the first place. Sheer laziness on my part. Heck I'm not a writer by profession and I am not aspiring to be one, anyway. But still, I admit that I shouldn't leave it at that because it could easily cause confusion.

Sure enough and talking about confusion. That part about the "flying erasers" has absolutely nothing in reference to your post.
History class in high school is something I hated. With no props, illustration boards etc. to interest students and with the teacher talking in a dreadul monotone, I couldn't help but doze off. Back during those days, erasers weren't strictly used for erasing the boards. So much for that.

If I urged you to keep on posting it was an encouragement stemming from a feeling of appreciation for what you had posted.

I hope I have answered your questions.

Thanks and good day!!

rk opteryx,

Now, allow me this time to really apologize for having caused you more trouble on a day already made bad by a thick smoke, banging on the door, uncooperative thoughts and fingers, call of nature, whatever; enough to drive a good man crazy and for him to cuss out words damning, "this rooster man!"

Well, the rooster man feels truly sorry.

I am glad to know this time that you haven't fallen asleep at all during the tour, for what you do not know, my friend, is that I brought you to a place where ordinary mortals would dare not go.

I took you along to keep me company, for I knew you're bravery is truly exceptional; you're raring to try, even daring enough to trample on those footprints that I've shown you.

This shows a true Character.

The last Man standing, holding his own ground, gallantly calling out on his comrades to fight and defeat and prove the enemy wrong: The last Man holding the red flag

Yet your fighting word is a lone voice in the wilderness.

For courage, my friend, is not enough.

You need wisdom.

Wisdom to understand why on the ground you're standing on, where the blood of our heroes dried many years ago, you find yourself alone and ignored.

Why, with all your good and boldness of intentions; a noble desire for the Truth to come out, not a soul is brave enough to come out in the open--to join you and face the common enemy, which is the enemy of truth: Lies

Ironically, my friend, it's just the two of us out here, standing on this hallowed ground of the braves; the ground where our heroes fell and died when they were fighting against the lies and tyranny of their own times under a foreign rule.

In other words, here we are, in our own "times"-- fighting our own wordwar in chit-chat, You are the Truth and I am the Lie, so to speak!

The truth, being, is that your courageous word of encouragement and your faith in the goodness of our people, as a whole, have fallen on deaf ears; blinded the eyes of those who do not want to see; and muted the tongues of those who do not want to speak. It's no use my friend but you have to understand.

Truth hurts.

But if the Truth indeed hurts, it must move or stir something.

So what's the wisdom behind the deafening silence and the lack of pain for the Truth that is supposed to hurt?

Fear of the Truth itself, my friend.

The Truth that their silence means consent and tolerance of this thing called colonial mentality--their best excuse for being--the painful Truth that they are not willing to feel the pain of: The Truth They Hate To Admit!

Rather, a painful Truth which remains a part of our nation's historic past that we have yet to outgrow, and will not outgrow in the years to come, because there is no point of admission yet to begin with; which explains the deafening silence made more eloquent by the completeness of it.

Which you are refusing to believe--now the reason why you find yourself alone.

Alone?

Being alone is not bad if together is not good, is that right?

So, if Truth won't work, try me.

I am the Lie.

I have to spread the Lies in order to ferret out the Truth. For the Truth will not come out if Lies do not spread. Truth shall prevail.

Soon, someone will have to stand up and prove the lies wrong, right?

Which, again, is where you find yourself now: Alone and Ignored and even Laugh at

Indeed, the plight of someone who dares.

Still, here I am, at your side, of all people to come near you, your lying friend; your lone ally to help you in your lonely struggle here in chit-chat to prove the truthfulness of the lies wrong.

A crazy alliance, soul-searching through wordwar, for the Truth to come out.

Truth and the Lies being friends for the common good--ironic, if not totally crazy, indeed!

But we live in a crazy world, and, sometimes, a crazy world deserves a crazy idea: Colonial mentality is either the Truth or the Lie, or just a Crazy idea clothed in black and white, as if to symbolize good and evil itself?

Perhaps the contrast will make for a perfect fit, to suit an imperfect world, rather, a crazy world, if not a better world!

Rooster Man







[This message has been edited by Rooster Man (edited 01-30-2002).]

What motivates you as a breeder?

I can only guess how many of our young breeders today who's got this ambition, of having his own originally produced family of fowls.

It doesn't matter if he starts from an American-based bloodline, as long he does something very Filipino about it.

By this I mean to say that the young Filipino breeder should follow his own path, away from the American standard set by the original breeder, for only in this way that the young breeder will become his own man, one who grows up away from the shadow of someone else's.

But it seems that the contrary is what happens.

The young Filipino breeder starts young and grows old along with the American breeder, not finding his own way as an individual breeder, he therefore finds himself lost on the idea of just purifying what the old American breeder---who finallly have passed away---had created.

So that when something goes wrong in the breeding process, the now old Filipino breeder comes looking out for a new American breeder to partner himself with, to obtain his new bloodine from, so he can start again from where he started, back to purifying what this new American breeder is saying.

[lagatik]

Rooster Man,
Not neccessarily true. I have been breeding since 1988 for our own use and not for sale. Also, basically I am based in the States although I am assigned outside U.S. , I never bought a fowl from any american breeder. I bought my materials from local breeder and cross our own fowls by trial and error. It does not matter if they got bloodlines from the states as long as what I got are Island born.
I don't care if one will say that they have perfected their breeding after two to three years. The botoom line is that takes sometime. If you are good, it takes about 7 to 9 years. Breeding takes time and patience. I've won and lost, to make the story short I paid my dues.
In the past, the biggest berby I joined was 5 cock derby and still wasn't able to take home the Championship but with good results. All this, I think I have the fowls that I want and by February next year I will start joining the 7 cock Candelaria Derby in ILOILO using 3.5 year old fowls. Breeding and raising fighting cock is not an easy thing, that's probably why other Cockers wanted to take the short cut by buying the best there is in the market. It is very competetive arena out there nowadays and who knows who's line you a competing against.
The thing also is that you have to infuse some new bloodlines inorder to compete with the fighting styles.

Lagatik,

I stand corrected, in your case.

Perhaps, you are one in a hundred, or in a thousand.

Nevertheless, the point is at least there is someone out there with your kind of attitude, one that doesn't ensure overnight success really, but you are definitely on the right track if you know exactly what you want breeding your kind of a winning fowl.

And finding what we exactly want, actually is not only limited to imported fowls---that is, if we are all in agreement that the best of American fowls are already available here, locally.

Good Luck in your breeding!