Balulang is another name for bayong, that chicken peddlers used to transport their chickens from one place to another. The breed balulang got its name from the bayong.But the chickens, it was believed, originated from Batangas where chicken peddlers abound even to these days, thus the other name batangas.
The balulang as a breed was not like the ordinary native chicken. They were high fliers, agile and very quick. They could execute a number of areal stunts.Their weakness was cowardice and lack of cutting ability. These were the reasons why they could not survive tough competition with the arrival of the texas fowl.
The balulang, parawakan, bolinao were among the local breeds of gamefowl experimented by Ramon Mitra as infusion to American fowl to create the Mitras.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
The Sweaters (Current)
In terms of popularity nothing comes close to the sweaters.For already two decades, since Carol Nesmith conquered the Philippines with his yellow legged peacomb chickens, these birds we now know to be the sweaters have remained on top of the Philippine cocking scene.
The Sweaters that are now here are no longer monopoly of Nesmith. Bruce Barnett, Dink Fair,and many other Americans who breed the sweater have contributed their bloodline to the sweater mania in the Philippines. Several Filipinos have also made names because of the sweaters. Sonny Lagon, Nene Abello, the Red Gamefarm, Frances Lumonsad and many others produce excellent specimen of the sweater.
Then there are hundreds more of Filipinos who breed the sweater. Rightly, because the sweaters are good looking and they are all-around fighters that can easily attract the fancy of spectators, bettors and buyers.The sweater is responsible for the obvious bias of Filipino cockfighters in favor of the red yellow legged pea comb chickens.
The Sweaters that are now here are no longer monopoly of Nesmith. Bruce Barnett, Dink Fair,and many other Americans who breed the sweater have contributed their bloodline to the sweater mania in the Philippines. Several Filipinos have also made names because of the sweaters. Sonny Lagon, Nene Abello, the Red Gamefarm, Frances Lumonsad and many others produce excellent specimen of the sweater.
Then there are hundreds more of Filipinos who breed the sweater. Rightly, because the sweaters are good looking and they are all-around fighters that can easily attract the fancy of spectators, bettors and buyers.The sweater is responsible for the obvious bias of Filipino cockfighters in favor of the red yellow legged pea comb chickens.
Buliks (Current)
If the sweater is the current craze when it comes to regular colored chicken, it seems that for the off-colors, it is the bulik.
At present there are a number of bulik breeders in the Philippines, many are making good.But the biggest impact the buliks have registered was in the hands of Gengen Arayata, Bakbakan and world slasher champion. Arayata's feats are too current to be forgotten that no description is necessary here.
Breeds of buliks are now proliferating not only in Luzon but also in Visayas and Mindanao.Only time could tell how long this craze for the off-colored bulik would last.
At present there are a number of bulik breeders in the Philippines, many are making good.But the biggest impact the buliks have registered was in the hands of Gengen Arayata, Bakbakan and world slasher champion. Arayata's feats are too current to be forgotten that no description is necessary here.
Breeds of buliks are now proliferating not only in Luzon but also in Visayas and Mindanao.Only time could tell how long this craze for the off-colored bulik would last.
Zamboanga white and black (Periodical)
Cockers who were active in the 1980's and 1990's must have been awed by the feats of the Zamboanga white. Believed to have originated from the lemon, the Zamboanga white bred by Boy Primalion, put Zamboanga in the cocking map.The Zambo white shattered the image of invincibility erstwhile associated with Negros and Negros bloodlines.
The Zambo white was so dominating that it somewhat revolutionized the Filipino cockers outlook toward the off-colored chickens. Time was when the white plumaged was associated with the leghorns, hence, for the dining table.However, at the height of Primalion's popularity every one and his brothers claimed to have at one time or another owned a Zambo white. Every white chicken, then, was called Zamboanga white, whether rightly or wrongly.
It also opened the eyes to the advantage of off-colored chickens because opponents unfamiliar to seeing such color appeared tentative and uncertain.Hence, people start breeding not only whites but also blacks, golds, buliks and other off colors.
Another Zamboanga breed that also made a mark in the cocking scene was the Zamboanga black of Manny Dalipe. These Zambo breeds ruled the pits for a while. The white reigned longer than the black and more than any other off color bloodline to date.
Recently the Zambo white and black faded from the limelight, but who knows their period might return.
The Zambo white was so dominating that it somewhat revolutionized the Filipino cockers outlook toward the off-colored chickens. Time was when the white plumaged was associated with the leghorns, hence, for the dining table.However, at the height of Primalion's popularity every one and his brothers claimed to have at one time or another owned a Zambo white. Every white chicken, then, was called Zamboanga white, whether rightly or wrongly.
It also opened the eyes to the advantage of off-colored chickens because opponents unfamiliar to seeing such color appeared tentative and uncertain.Hence, people start breeding not only whites but also blacks, golds, buliks and other off colors.
Another Zamboanga breed that also made a mark in the cocking scene was the Zamboanga black of Manny Dalipe. These Zambo breeds ruled the pits for a while. The white reigned longer than the black and more than any other off color bloodline to date.
Recently the Zambo white and black faded from the limelight, but who knows their period might return.
Sugbos (Upcoming)
The Sugbos come in two forms. The red yellow legged, peacombed called ponkans and the red, yellow legged straight combed called the Sugbo lemon.Originated by Masang Nagmamanok (MANA) founder and popular sabong writer Rey Bajenting, the Sugbos are known not for extra ordinary feat in the pits, for they are yet too new, but for being the poor man's champions.
The impact the sugbos created is in terms of social responsiveness. The sugbos are bred by the originator to provide the backyard breeders and small time sabungeros access to top quality but inexpensive fowl.
In an interview, Bajenting aka RB Sugbo divulged his timetable for the sugbos to hit it big in the pits is by 2011 or 2012. However, in the past 3 year or so, the sugbos, particularly the ponkan have already satisfied the needs of hundreds of backyard breeders and common sabungeros in many places in the country from Basilan to Ilocos Norte. There is a third sugbo bloodline, the blakliz. But it is exclusive and not a commercial line.
The impact the sugbos created is in terms of social responsiveness. The sugbos are bred by the originator to provide the backyard breeders and small time sabungeros access to top quality but inexpensive fowl.
In an interview, Bajenting aka RB Sugbo divulged his timetable for the sugbos to hit it big in the pits is by 2011 or 2012. However, in the past 3 year or so, the sugbos, particularly the ponkan have already satisfied the needs of hundreds of backyard breeders and common sabungeros in many places in the country from Basilan to Ilocos Norte. There is a third sugbo bloodline, the blakliz. But it is exclusive and not a commercial line.
The Mitra fowl (Novelty)
The Mitra fowl was a product of a stubburn idea,enormous resources and grim determination.Its originator, Ramon Mitra was insistent that the best gamecock would be a cross between native, oriental and American fowl.
According to author Antonio Hidalgo Mitra made hundreds of mating or crosses a every year. But he added that Mitra himself told him that only one out of a hundred native balulang fowl that they bred threw dead game propgeny.In the end Mitra somewhat succeeded in proving his point. He had backed his idea with ample financial resources and the determination that almost landed him in the highest office of the land--the presidency of the Republic of the Philippines.
According to author Antonio Hidalgo Mitra made hundreds of mating or crosses a every year. But he added that Mitra himself told him that only one out of a hundred native balulang fowl that they bred threw dead game propgeny.In the end Mitra somewhat succeeded in proving his point. He had backed his idea with ample financial resources and the determination that almost landed him in the highest office of the land--the presidency of the Republic of the Philippines.
Hulsey, Ruble, Wallace and racey mug (old time favorite)
The hulseys, rubles, wallace brownreds and racey mugs were four of the American bloodlines that took turns in beating one another during the 1960s to early 70's. Later they were joined by the Jumpers and the Ray Alexanders. Many of these old time favorites resurfaced in modern forms of lemons, brownreds, kelsos, roundheads, clarets and hatches. Some of these strains qualified to be classified as all-time favorites of Filipino cockers.
Malaking Pulo (novelty)
Malaking Pulo, believed to be a cross between a native batangas or bolinao and an American dark fowl, took the Philippine cocking scene by storm in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Malaking Pulo is the place where the bloodline was first produced. Dark colored, dark legged and dark eyed, they were strong but known to lack gameness.The impact they created was because the malaking pulo, a mestizo, surfaced at the time when the American breeds had arrived in the Philippines.
Most mestizos such as the montillas came before the advent of American breeds here and were supposed to be improvement of our native chicken.The malaking pulo is sort of a step backward. Downgrading the American fowl by crossing it with a native blood.And yet, for a time it held its own in the pit. Not for long though.
Most mestizos such as the montillas came before the advent of American breeds here and were supposed to be improvement of our native chicken.The malaking pulo is sort of a step backward. Downgrading the American fowl by crossing it with a native blood.And yet, for a time it held its own in the pit. Not for long though.
Hulsey grey (old time favorite)
The hulsey grey, brought to the Philippines by American great Duke Hulsey made an impact on Philippine cockfighting for having the distinction of being the first grey bloodlines that caught the fancy of Filipino breeders and cockers. The distinction has been perpetuated by the numerous bloodlines created out of the hulsey grey. Among this famous bloodlines are the Aguirre Grey of mayor Juancho Aguirre and the Negros dirty greys.
Karachi hatch (old time favorite)
This bloodline came from legendary American breeder Billy Ruble. Eddie Araneta of Liza galore fame set the bloodline karachi from the billy ruble hatches.Thus, they come somewhat dark red and dark legged. For decades the karachi has remained the signature breed of Liza Galore. Until now, the karachi, as well as the other Liza Galore roosters, still sport the famous Liza Galore battle trim.
The Lemon (all-time favorite)
The lemon has originated from the bloodlines of the great American breeder Duke Hulsey.
Now the lemon has become a generic name to a number of different lemon bloodlines such as the batsoy, the 84 and many others old and new. The original stocks of Hulsey were believed to be of his hatch-claret-butcher blend. Although it was Don Amado Araneta of Manila that brought the Duke over to the Philippines, the Negros breeders were the ones who succeeded in setting the different lemon bloodlines.
The lemons are known for intelligence and cutting ability.They come straight or pea comb. Most lemon bloodlines are yellow legged. The 84 has a green legged family.
For a comprehensive and professionally presented account of the history and development of the lemons in the Philippines, see The Philippine Lemon by Rey Bajenting;2005; Pit Games Publication.
Now the lemon has become a generic name to a number of different lemon bloodlines such as the batsoy, the 84 and many others old and new. The original stocks of Hulsey were believed to be of his hatch-claret-butcher blend. Although it was Don Amado Araneta of Manila that brought the Duke over to the Philippines, the Negros breeders were the ones who succeeded in setting the different lemon bloodlines.
The lemons are known for intelligence and cutting ability.They come straight or pea comb. Most lemon bloodlines are yellow legged. The 84 has a green legged family.
For a comprehensive and professionally presented account of the history and development of the lemons in the Philippines, see The Philippine Lemon by Rey Bajenting;2005; Pit Games Publication.
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