Sabong explained for curious readers: where it came from, how the law treats it today, and what the words you hear at the sabungan actually mean.
What sabong is
Sabong is the Filipino word for cockfighting. The Cockfighting Law of 1974, PD 449, describes it in its preamble as “a popular, traditional and customary form of recreation and entertainment among Filipinos” during legal holidays, local fiestas, and agricultural and commercial fairs. The law defines cockfighting to include the “cockfighting derby, pintakasi or tupada”.
This article explains the history and vocabulary for readers who hear these words at home or in the news. It is information only. We don’t cover where or how to bet.
How the law has shaped sabong
- PD 449 (1974): cockpits must be licensed by the city or municipal mayor, generally one per city or municipality, and fights are limited to Sundays, legal holidays, fiestas and certain fairs.
- PD 1602 (1978): stiffer penalties for illegal cockfighting.
- Local Government Code: gives LGUs power over cockpit licensing and regulation.
- E-sabong (before 2022): online streaming and betting operated under a PAGCOR regulatory framework, until a nationwide suspension on 3 May 2022, continued by EO No. 9.
Culture: fiesta, derby and coliseum
Traditionally the town cockpit (sabungan) was busiest on Sundays and during the town fiesta, which is why PD 449 ties legal fight days to those dates. The best-known events today are large “derbies” held in big venues, for example the World Slasher Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, which publishes winners on its official site. Breeding gamefowl is also a business in many provinces. Sabong is also controversial: animal-welfare groups oppose it and the e-sabong period drew public concern; EO No. 9 cites the State’s duty to protect “public health and morals”.
Glossary of sabong terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sabong | Cockfighting. |
| Sabungan | Cockpit or arena. |
| Sabungero | A cockfighting enthusiast, breeder or regular. |
| Manok panabong / gamefowl | A rooster bred for fighting. |
| Tupada | An unlicensed, illegal cockfight, often held in a backyard or field. |
| Pintakasi | Cockfights held during a fiesta; named in PD 449. |
| Derby | A tournament where entries field several roosters and points are tallied. |
| Sentensyador (sentenciador) | The referee. PD 449 says he oversees the gaffing, judges the birds’ condition and declares the winner or a draw. |
| Taga-tari / gaffer | The person who attaches the blade to the rooster’s leg (PD 449 definition). |
| Tari / bulang | The steel blade or gaff tied to the leg. |
| Kristo | The bet-caller in the arena, known for hand signals. PD 449 calls the role “bet taker or promoter”. |
| Meron / wala | The two sides of a fight, as called out in the arena. |
| Llamado / dehado | Favourite and underdog. |
| Ulutan | Sparring without blades, used in training. |
| E-sabong | Online streaming and betting on cockfights; suspended nationwide since 2022. |
| OCB | Off-cockpit betting station; covered by the e-sabong suspension. |
Related
Frequently asked questions
What does tupada mean?
Tupada is an unlicensed cockfight. It is illegal because PD 449 requires cockfights to be held in licensed cockpits on permitted days.
What is a sentensyador?
The referee of a cockfight. PD 449 says he oversees the gaffing, judges whether a bird can continue, and declares the result.
What do meron and wala mean?
They are the two sides of a fight. These are informational definitions only; online betting on cockfights is suspended nationwide.
Is cockfighting legal in the Philippines?
Traditional cockfighting in cockpits licensed under PD 449 and local permits is legal. Online e-sabong is suspended.
About this article
Written by the GTAYA Editorial Team; reviewed 2026-11-04. Definitions marked PD 449 come from the law itself. Other terms are common usage and are explained neutrally. Nothing here is betting advice.
Our guides are researched from official sources (PAGCOR, BSP, Philippine law) and reviewed before publishing. Rules that vary by table are flagged.
