ILOILO – Animal welfare groups, including the Animal Kingdom Foundation and Team Aspin of Iloilo (TAIL), have called on the local government unit (LGU) of the municipality of San Joaquin to cease the annual Pasungay Festival, citing concerns over animal cruelty.
The festival, held on Saturday, January 18, featured over 20 pairs of carabaos and cows showcasing their battle skills at the San Joaquin Sports Stadium as part of the town’s religious fiesta celebration.
The event sparked outrage on social media, with many animal lovers and concerned citizens condemning it as a form of animal cruelty.
The Pasungay Festival is a long-standing cultural event rooted in the town’s agricultural heritage. Symbolizing their role in rural farming life, horned animals engage in displays of strength and battle skills.
The term pasungay is derived from the Hiligaynon word sungay, meaning “horns”.
While proponents view it as a celebration of tradition and local identity, the festival has become controversial. Aside from animal cruelty, there are also allegations of gambling during the event.
Critics argued that the spectacle contradicts efforts to preserve cultural traditions in an ethical and compassionate manner.
The Animal Kingdom Foundation released a statement denouncing the festival: “The lives of our proud carabaos may not be at risk, but is the unnecessary violence aligned with the ethical and moral values that we strive to uphold in our community? Furthermore, allegations of gambling have been cropping up.”
The group stressed the need for San Joaquin’s LGU to comply with the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 and adopt more humane ways to honor local traditions.
“The preservation of tradition that honors history and culture while fostering an innovative and compassionate community is far better than exploiting animals and espousing violence,” the foundation stressed.
This is not the first time animal welfare advocates have raised concerns about the Pasungay Festival. In 2019, their efforts, alongside support from other animal welfare groups, led the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to halt the festival for violating the Animal Welfare Act.
However, the event resumed in 2023 after the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) declared the festival an intangible cultural heritage of the Philippines.
Despite this recognition, Team Aspin of Iloilo (TAIL) criticized the festival, emphasizing the important role carabaos play in agriculture and food production. They reminded animal lovers to hold politicians accountable in the upcoming May 2025 midterm elections.
“Do not vote for politicians who allow this animal cruelty. Stop the Pasungay Festival or traditional carabao fights. Our carabaos don’t deserve this,” the group stressed./PN
