Jim and I, together with our friends Andy and Cynthia, went to the Kaamulan 2012. However, instead of watching the famous Ethnic Street Dancing on March 3, we decided to go a day later and watch the Rodeo Show for a change.
The last time I watched a Rodeo Show in Malaybalay was way back in the 70s. The Grand Stand (the venue) was made of timber then and much of the surrounding area was grassland. So it’s no surprise that I couldn’t quite remember how to get to the Grand Stand this time that we have to stop and ask for directions. We asked the very first person we saw along the main road who was dressed as a cowboy. This cowboy turned out to be Mr Tony Guillermo who happened to be one of the Rodeo Judges. It was a lucky coincidence as we then got invited to watch the show from the Judges’ Box.
It was interesting to see what the Rodeo’s like today. The Grand Stand is now a concrete structure and the area surrounded by many houses. The Competitors and Judges were dressed to impress in their finest cowboy attire. Even some of the Organisers and Spectators made an effort to dress the part. Del Monte was the Rodeo Sponsor for the Day and free-flowing pineapple juice was offered to the public the whole day from their kiosk.
The Rodeo Show took place in a fenced and dirt (or mud) surfaced arena. Whilst there were other Rodeo events on the program, we only watched the Team-Roping event in particular. Mr Guillermo explained to us that this is a timed-event with two cowboys on their horses chasing the calf. The first cowboy ropes the head while the second cowboy ropes the legs. A third cowboy then runs to the calf and flanks it on its side. Today’s winning team did this in just under 23 seconds - I’m impressed!
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| Judges, Organisers & Marshals Gathered for Last Minute Instructions |
I’ll definitely go back next year, complete with my cowboy hat and boots (or wellies), to watch more Rodeo events.
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| The Cowboy & Me |
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| Cattle, Boots & Denim |
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| Beware! Mad Cows About |
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