2010 in Review

(To read about our 2009 in review, click http://ebokalaeh.blogspot.com/2009/12/2009-in-review.html)

A year had passed again and 2011 is just around the corner. Again, we will look back at 2010 and evaluate/review what had transpired at Team EbokAlaEh Gamefarm.

First of all, as I have done last year, I have kept records of all our fights this year. In 2009 we have compiled a total of 63 total fights while in 2010 we have fought a total of 85 fights within the whole year period. We have compiled at a combined record of about 50% winning average for the whole year that includes hackfights and derbies. It may not be that good but the experience we gained throughout the year would help us be more competitive this coming 2011. This year also marked the first time we join stag derbies held in Metro Manila. First was the 5-stag Roligon derby which we scored only half a point in the 2-stag elimination round against the entries of Rey Briones and Atong Ang using Wilvin Sy's stags. The other derby was the 4-stag Sabong.Net derby which were participated mainly by Sabong.net members. We did not score in any of our 3 fights but nonetheless the experience we gain fighting in Pasay Cockpit was something to remember. Watching how global cockfights are aired and done was something really wonderful and what its like to fight in a bigtime environment. We will be back there for sure in 2011 ;)

March of this year, we were also given the chance to be featured on SabongTV which gave us the exposure in their Breeder's Paradise segment as well as the Excellence product segment (http://ebokalaeh.blogspot.com/2010/03/sabongtv-excellence-shoot-farm.html). It was indeed a great experience to be shown on national television with millions of cockfighting afficionados watching. It was a feat I am very proud of as I and my two brothers tell our stories in the cockfighting world. I know our tatay up there was watching us together with San Pedro..hehe..

In April of this year also marked the first time we venture on fight promotions. In partnership with Power Bullets, Berdugo ng Batangas was born in Sta. Rita Cockpit last April 17. It was a gigantic leap of faith staging a big event in Batangas City. Since we were giving away P550,000 guaranteed prize, everyone was first reluctant about it especially the sabong community and cockpit operators, nonetheless we all prove them wrong after the event. I was personally proud of it as it open more exciting fight promotions here in Batangas for the cocking afficionados benefit. The second installment of our event was held last November 30 at San Pascual Mini-Cockpit. It gave us the great distinction of staging a well-organized fight event where all bigtime and small time can enjoy. January 22 of 2011 would be our third installment and it will be staged at Lipa Games (http://ebokalaeh.blogspot.com/2010/11/berdugo-ng-batangas-level-up-edition.html). With a guaranteed prize of whooping P600,000 we shall again see the best cutting fowls in Batangas and nearby area. So hope we'll see you all there.

As for all good things that had happened, there are also bad things that hit us this year. First was, we were only able to raise a few seasoned-banded stags for the stag derbies. It was really disappointing to see only a few stags corded out of about 600 chicks we had hatched. Although we were still able to join 3 stag derbies this year but the score we got was not really well. At Roligon 5-stag, we scored only half a point in the 2-stag elims then lost 3 fights at Sabong.net 4-stag derby. In BBC 7-stag derby we were able to score 1.5pts in the elimination round but opted not to fight in the finals anymore. Our stags fought well in their fights although they lost. Unfortunately we fought untested matings in the stag derbies we joined which cost us a lot. We hope to do good next year as I have removed all unperforming brood materials to further improve our breeding produce and only mated the ones that brought wins for us.

Late August this year when I got a new handler named Zucel which I am very satisfied of. Then in late November when I added a breeder named Dudoy to further strengthen my team. Zucel and Dudoy are cousins and both are Ilonggo's and both came from prominent cockers/breeders and hope their past experience would be used in our 2011 cocking endeavors. Together with Jr, my team at the gamefarm are as complete and solid as I wanted it to be.

Breeding materials come and go to further improve our breeding program. 2010 saw three of my best broodcocks die of unknown causes (a pure Bates Black, a pure possum sweater and a 3x derby winner (Makati 6-cock, SJC 8-cock, WSC 8-cock) sweater-hatch. Some of my proven and old broodhens had also died this year. But as old ones go, new ones have entered our gamefarm to further build and strengthen our bloodlines. I have added two new broodcocks and a handful of broodhens. I am very much confident of our current lineup and hopefully they can compete very well in 2011.

As with my asil grade breeding program, there were success and failures to us. Out of the 10 first batch breeding (born april 2009) produce (50/50), we already scored 4wins, 2 losses of which the 2 losses where fought in cock derby at a very tender age of 10-months old. The good thing is that all those 4 wins were all scratchless ;) For my asil-dom breeding, it was a different story and unfortunately it did not perform as expected. I have already removed/culled the dom broodhen that was used and am currently breeding a new line of dom. My asil-white breeding is also not yet tested. They'll be tested this summer as they are only at 8-months old together with my quarter grades. We'll see if they could also win for us. They all have the potential but do they have what it takes to win in the actual pit fight.

As for facilities, the gamefarm saw the emergence of our new flypens and 38-door resting stalls. The cording area had also been cleared and all teepees are now in use. The first project for next year is the extension of the ruweda to include scratchpens beside them to further make the conditioning more efficient for my handlers. Also in schedule is the creation of our air-condition keeping room in preparation for our fights in Metro Manila next year. :)

I have great plans lined-up for 2011. First and foremost is I would like to apply to be a member of Luzon Gamefowl Breeders Association (LGBA). It would be an honor for us to be a member of that group and see if we can compete with the best breeder member of LGBA. Hopefully we can find two member sponsors to help us get in that group..hehe.. BBC, Bakbakan, Rambulan are also lined up for us this 2011.

2010 is coming to a close and all we can do is look back and learn from what had happened. Remember the experience gained and use that to be better this 2011. The next year is gonna be tough assignment to make but with the team work and support of the whole Team EbokAlaEh, nothing is impossible. In behalf of my whole team, I would like to thank everyone who had helped us and the new friends we made thru Facebook and other social networking sites, thank you all very much and we hope to see you all in cockfights next year!!

Happy and Prosperous New Year for all of us. More Wins and Friendships in 2011!