Everybody was Cock-Fu Fighting

As we walked across Malapascua Island, we ran into one of the Philippines passions: cock fighting.  Yes, yes, I understand the animal rights issues with cock fighting; I don't condone it per se, but it is pretty much as close to a national past time as the Fiipinos have, so I'm going to watch.  When in Rome... 

In any case, they're serious about cock fighting just like England is serious about soccer (or football if you prefer that name better).  I've even seen commercials on Filipino TV advertising feed for your rooster that promises your prized feathery friend will get big and strong and will go on to kick the plumage of another red-bearded rival before he can say "cockle-doodle-do".  Well, it might not have said that word by word, but I imagine that's probably what the pitch says in Tagalog, the main language of the Philippines.

Below you can watch a little video out of the whole thing.  I left out the bloody parts, which actually weren't that bloody, but I don't want to make anyone squeemish. 

Lastly, if you're wondering how a cock wins, it's when one of them dies or when one turns and runs the other way.  I saw each scenario happen once.  Truthfully, all of it wasn't all that exciting, but it did make me hungry for KFC.  Maybe next time they can fight in a pit of mashed potatoes...