Although there is a law (Republic Act No. 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998) which bans horse fighting in the Philippines, the activity is still practiced particularly during festivities in some parts of the country.
In South Cotabato, horse fighting is one the side events during Helobung Festival in Lake Sebu and Seslong Festival in Tboli. The two municipalities are considered eco-cultural tourism destinations in the province and are predominantly inhabited by ethnic tribes like Tboli and Blaan wherein horse fighting is celebrated as a long-time cultural tradition.
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| Horse Fight (Hegidu Kuda in Tboli dialect). Photo taken during Helobung Festival in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato |
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| Local residents and visitors of all ages watched as two stallions fight over a mare during the last day of Helobung Festival 2014 in Lake Sebu |
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