Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-05-16
The Filipino "Gallera. F"

full, of sacrifice more difficult, of priva-
ton of their wishes more desirable; for
it they abandon their duties more sa-
cred and their occupations more press
ing; for it, finally, they emancipate
from this lazy and drowsy state Of lax
itude to that which prevents the ener-
waiting influence from an atmosphere
of agitation and obscurity.
They never think of having solemn
fiesta here in the Philippines, whether
it is for the Patron Saint of their pueb-
10 or the common fiesta on Sunday
without it is accompanied by the ''gal-
lera" (cock-pit); the treasurer has III
this traditional amusement of the in
| digenous pueblo, one of his most I'M
portant and certain resources; all class
es contribute equally to him, and the
European and amateur American go
to find in the better disappointments
of the strife of these vigilant and
naughty supporties of the pit, who
would be symbolical of intrepidity and
of value among the ancient warriors of
the pure Grecians, the probable gain
and certain ruin of not few families.
The gallera is the only spectacle that
has the privilege of affecting the null
titude Of the natives; go to a circus or
theatre and witness in that place the
representation of relish of we'll
contrived play and Of grotesque situa-
tions and you will see the ingenious
plotes and picturesque scenes pass in
silence, almost individually, the ma
jority of the populace. These sibila-
tions of thanks that are the joy of this
and sincere American pueblo, always
disposed to celebrate with clamorous
ovations and frequent loud laughter
their hideous and ridiculous dances,
they listen there with the same uncon-
Germ with the same Indifference that
they would give to a soporlferous dis
course on Shakespear or to an original
drama of the Angeles Catalina. If you
wish to see the classical Incidence Of
native converted into nervous mobility
to gallera; before you penetrate into
the obscene balay (house) Of cana and
nipa, with it's extensive seats built tier
upon tier sustained by pillars which
this grand and exuberant nature
causes to flourish everywhere in the
farms of trunks of flexible cocoanut
trees and majestic bamboos; you will
be surprised to hear the cutlery of the
boisterous and frantic multitude that
discourses everywhere, commenting on
the casualties of the recent fight in
which cock almost dying, while in
the last efforts of his agony thrust the
steel in the breast OF his adversary,
leaving him immovable &C his feet in
the midst Of the general stupefaction.
Ordinarily the Filipino galleras are
surrounded by interviewer cane fences,
within whose large precincts are found
numerous articles for sale which emit
a very sour and nauseous Odor, scat
tered promiscuously among this con-
glomeration Of hodge-podge Of many
kinds, tit bits, refreshments, Filipino
wine, cigars, cigarettes, buyo, and
alcohols are found number of
Chinese peddlers and Industrious
women expanding it very rapidly to
the vigorous plapers.
The function invariably begins early
in the morning and continues for a
time long enough to give to all the
destined gladiators for the sacrifice op-
portunities to enter the conflict. The
enclosed pallisade for the bloody strug-
giles is a rectangular inclosure sur
rounded by a wooden balustrate be-
tween whose balusters extend pieces
of wire netting to prevent the COM
batants from escaping. Before each
1 fight the cocks are submitted to very
scrupulous examination having for it's
object the equilibrium Of the forces
and impulses of the future contest
ants; when this delicate operation
ends, to which the dilettants give great
Importance, the victims are furnished
with their deadly weapons, which con-
sists Of sharp steel spur incisive as a
bistoury and sharp as a razor. In the
meantime the clever soltadores chose
who release the COCKS previous to the
fight while squatting on the ground
caress their victims by bringing them
! together number of times until they
pick each other and enfuriate them SO
with the punishment that when once
loose, they attack with fury and
bravery; the players arrange their bets,
the noise is almost unbearable, those
who nave visited the ambulatary ven
ders to revive their castle forces or to
quench their thirst with frequent
alcoholic libations, occupy the nearest
vacant space to the seat of excitement
the Jingle Of the money going to an
unforeseen disaster blended with the
sonorous and happy notes Of the cocks
is certainly bewildering, and to hear
arising from this boisterous and
thunderous crowd seized with an in
describe excitement, constant roar
of violent emotion, now decreasing
now increasing in which may be heard
shouts, cries, threats, promises and
offers, is an experience for which Ian
guage can not do justice.
The moment is solemn; the extern
sive grades of seats, crowded to the
/ of al