Electronic SabongSince COVID-19 struck, cockfighting in the Philippines has turned virtual – the fights are now streamed online and the arena is now the whole country and beyond, with aficionados watching and placing their bets using laptops or mobile phones from the comforts of their homes.Welcome to the world of e-sabong or online cockfighting. I am inside a licensed cockpit arena in Laguna, owned by the United Association of Cockpit Owners & Operators of the Philippines, a group of around 2,000 cockpit operators led by gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang.The arena serves as a studio where the fights are held and streamed online, but there are no spectators here. It is perhaps the most quiet cockfight one could ever witness.Aficionados watch the fights by subscribing to a streaming service. It’s like Netflix, but solely for cockfights.Only those who need to be here in Laguna are present – employees, handlers, gaffers, referees, cock doctors, etc., and they are all wearing face masks.
