Cockfighting is one of the most popular pastimes in the Philippines. A bloodsport that existed long before the Spaniards colonized the islands, as recorded by Antonio Pigafetta. It’s tradition in the country to have one cockpit house per town or province. This photo set was taken inside the New Taytay Cockpit Arena, one of the biggest and oldest cockpit houses in the province of Rizal.

When the pandemic reached the shores of the country, cockpit houses around the Philippines were ordered shut. In fact, these photos were taken a couple of weeks before it was closed. Two months later, in the heat of the tropical summer, the entrance of the arena caught fire, which threatened to destroy one of the largest wooden structures in the province. It was saved by the efforts of random people who spread the word through social media. The fire department was alerted as a result, and the fire was extinguished in record time.

The future of the arena is uncertain. This is the longest time it has been closed since it opened its doors in the 60s. People are now shifting to “online sabong” which will make cockpit houses around the country obsolete. Perhaps for the better.

It's quiet there now.

The arena may have lost its biggest fight.