MABALACAT CITY -- “It’s all about helping other people,” described games and cockfight enthusiast Atong Ang on the mission of the World Pitmasters Cup international derby.

Ang met on Friday, April 12, with officers and members of the Capampangan in Media Incorporated (CAMI) during the press conference of the 2019 World Pitmasters Cup 9-cock International Derby which will be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila on April 21 to 30.

Some of the profits derived from their games go to charitable projects and medical assistance like chemotherapy of cancer patients and hemodialysis of individuals with kidney failures.

“Ang pitmaster, kung ano yung kinikita, nagpapa chemo kami ng mga tao, nagpapa dialysis kami at continuous ang tulong namin sa kanila,” Ang said.

The group is also extending assistance by sending relief goods to people in disaster-stricken areas all over the country, according to the businessman.

“Pag may bagyo nagbibigay kami. Kasi mayroon kaming [games] four times a year. So kung ano yung kinikita iniipon namin tinutulong namin iyan. Nagpapadala kaming goods doon,” Ang said.

He also bared plans to organize various groups of “cockpit masters” and cock fight enthusiasts all over the country. “Yung susunod na pitmaster pa, na halos ng samahan ime-member na natin. Yung mga nasa probinsiya pagsasamasamahin natin kung paano matulungan yung iba pang mga sabungero pa.”

Cock fighting or “sabong” in the Philippines has become a billion-dollar industry.

It is more than just entertainment. The sports is considered as a very important culture to the Filipinos.