The Masbate Rodeo

A Showcase of Pinoy Cowboys

A big chunk of the beef being sold in Manila comes from the province of Masbate. Located in Central Visayas, Masbate boasts of large hectares of agricultural pasture lands that support hordes of Brahman cows, making it the top source of cow in the country and earning for itself the title of being the cattle capital of the Philippines.

Not only is Masbate known as the “cattle capital” of the Philippines. The province also has gold mines, giant crabs, white sand beaches, superb scuba diving sites, lush farm lands, rolling hills, and friendly people who call themselves Masbateños.

Every summer for the past 14 years, Masbate organizes its now famous Masbate Rodeo. Last March 18-21, men and women teams from universities and colleges wrestled with the wild cows of Masbate. According to Leo Gozum, project director of the 2009 Rodeo, there were 14 college teams, seven professional teams, and three professional women teams that took part in this year’s rodeo. Leading contingents came from Xavier University, Benguet State University, and the Visayan State University.

The idea behind the rodeo is to show the proper techniques at lassoing the cows and subduing them. Each year, Masbate City holds this big summer event and continues to draw spectators and cowboys from all over the country. Cow handlers capture cows with lassos and bare hands. These techniques have become a sporting competition known as rodeo.

Masbate has many ranches, big and small. From as far as Mindanao and Luzon, young boys and girls pit their skills against the wild and raging bulls in events like karambola, riding the bulls, lassoing on foot, steer wrestling from horseback, load carrying, and casting down.

At the rodeo, the crowd is kept on the edge as the cows try to fight it out with the cowboys. In a fenced arena, the spills and thrills of the show echo with screams and loud howls from the spectators when cows started to gore and kick the fallen cowboys. Medical teams were standing by during the games.

The rodeo is organized by Rodeo Masbateño and VROOM (Volunteer Rodeo Officials and Organizers of Masbate). Atty. Filemon Abelita, president of Rodeo Masbateño, Inc. hopes to make the rodeo a major tourist attraction this part of the Visayas. Some schools have responded by including courses on cow raising and training teams to join the next rodeo.

The Masbate rodeo is not like the US rodeo or the Bullfights of Spain. It is a showcase of native, raw talents – ala UFC Pinoy style!