The sharp blade sheathed for the moment before the cockfight begins

The circular arena in San Nicolas, Cebu City was populated with men anxiously waiting for the start of the fight. At the center, bordered with a metal cage and transparent plexiglass with a couple of fluorescent fixtures overhead were a handful of men holding their prized possessions: their fighting cocks. At the announcer’s signal, the blades are unsheathed and the combat begins. Within seconds, its all over and one bird lies bloodied and dead.

Looking at this seeming brutality, I was shooting with my camera. The fierce fighting just becomes a blur, and the men shouting out their lungs until it’s over. And now, reviewing the images taken this afternoon, I see many possibilities and approaches to doing a short photo project.

I should get back tomorrow and the days ahead until this cockfighting event finishes.

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• Death at the arena
• Gagamboy Project is dead in the water, for now
• Portrait studies #16: Cebu marathon runners
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2 January 2010