Rope. Ride. Rule.
Masbate, the national rodeo capital of the Philippines, held
its annual Rodeo Masbateno last April 9-16. Cowboys, ranchers and students from
all over the country gathered to battle against the bulls under the scorching
heat of the sun showcasing their skills and strength in carambola, lassoing,
casting down, load carrying, bullriding, and bullwhipping.
Mornings were packed with various activities prepared by the Rodeo Masbateno organization such as horse parade and cattle drive. On the afternoons, cattle competitions were scheduled in the Grand Rodeo Arena, while the evenings were reserved for nightly shows and entertainment.
Fortunate I was to be able to catch up with this week-long festive event. It was six thirty in the morning, Friday, the last day of Rodeo Masbateno, that I arrived in the city of Masbate. It was an hour flight from Manila. From the Masbate Airport, I took a tricycle and headed to Comprehensive High School, as instructed by a friend who was playing for Balud Forwards, a team from Masbate. The school was the residence of participants for the event.
Participants, students and professionals from Benguet, Mindanao, Mindoro and Laguna were there compromising their work and saving fund to be able to join this rodeo event.
After having the free breakfast prepared by the organizers, I, together with Balud team players and the production team from TV5 walked towards the Rodeo Arena, located beside Comprehensive High School for a shoot. Balud Team would be featured for TV5’s Insider and Aksyon TV program. I also met a freelance photographer by the name of Sanjeer Thakur whose works had been featured in local and international magazines. The story and photos taken for this event would be offered to Esquire US.
Balud Forwards team ready to show what they got.
And on the afternoon, the battle between man and the beast
began, participants, men and women dressed in their rodeo outfits with their
boots, marched their way to the corral, ready for battle.
There was an entrance fee of Php30 for locals and tourist
who would want to watch the game. These tickets were being raffled daily for a
cow as a prize, which was convertible to Php20,000 cash. Though I didn’t need a
ticket to watch since I was with the players, I still bought three tickets,
trying my luck, but failed to bring home a cow.
There was lots of cattle competition set in the afternoon;
two-men and four-men carambola on where participants needed to knock the cow
down with their bare hands, lassoing where participants swing their ropes and
shoot it to cattle’s head, bullwhipping which was the event of my friend and
bull riding.
Lassoing
The cows didn’t make it easy for rodeo players. They ran fast, escaping every attempt of the players to bring them down. They played on a defensive and offensive side, going towards the players and carrying them with their tusks.
The corral had been the room for players who were clothed by their passion in rodeo, never minding the heat of the sun and the risk of getting hurt. For them, it was the prestige to show their skills and had their passion recognized in a national arena.
On the last night of the event, the awarding ceremony was held, there was a bonfire at the center of the arena, foods and drinks were served, lechon baka was being tossed, and country music being played live.
Cash awards and buckles were given to the winners. Balud team players didn’t make it to over-all standing, however my friend, Alex Aggasid, reclaimed his title as the undefeated bull whipping champion.
Bull whipping
I have never been in a corral to tie-down a cow, I have
never thrown a rope to a cow’s head, I have never cracked a whip, and doubt if
I ever will, but I have learned a lesson just by being an audience, by just
watching the enthusiastic and determined players, and that is to let your
passion drives you.
Rope it. Ride it. Rule it.
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