Once there, I found a well-organised setup offering a proper “ring” surrounded by
ascending rows of concrete benches. A while later, two men entered the ring, each
clasping a cock under their arms. They placed the cocks in the middle of the ring,
and with neck feathers erect they suddenly hurled themselves at each other. In a
flurry of feathers and razor blades, blood squirted from open wounds, spectators
cheered, money changed hands, and all I wanted to do was get the hell out of
there. This was indeed a fight to the death! I persevered but after the second fight
left the stadium. Phew!
Sabang Beach
The dive shop was again doing a two-tank dive; firstly, on the wreck of the Alma
Jane. Scuttled in 2003, she rested upright at a depth of almost thirty metres.
However, currents in the vicinity of the wreck could sometimes be strong (and the
visibility not always good). Skippers, hence, maintained a buoy line tied to the
wreck, making descending along the line without floating away into the blue
yonder, never to be seen again. The second dive was along the Dungeon Wall.
Both were incredible dives. During the first dive, I teamed up with Mads, our
divemaster, who has the best buoyancy control I’ve ever seen in any person.
Sabang Beach
Finally, it was time to collect my passport and move along. However, it was already
late and best to catch the ferry to Batangas City in the morning.