Inside the rodeo capital of the Philippines, where cowboys and cowgirls still thrive

Elias ChavezJul 9, 2023, 17:53 IST

Filipino cowboys take part in the cattle wrestling event at the 2003 National Rodeo Championships.David Greedy/Getty Images

After a three year hiatus, Masbate returned with its annual Rodeo Masbateño, the largest rodeo in the country.
The Rodeo Masbateño began in the 1990s as a way to revitalize the country's cattle industry.

Every year people gather decked out in denim, cowboy hats, and big boots to watch men and women wrestle, wrangle, and ride. Country music blasts as families grab snacks and seats to watch the day's events. The twist is that this rodeo is not in Texas, the American Southwest, or Mexico. This rodeo is in the Philippines.

After a three-year hiatus, the rodeo Masbateño returned to the Filipino city of Masbate this year with over 300 contestants looking to participate in bull riding, lassoing, and the carambola, an event where men and women attempt to restrain a cow in a rodeo ring.

The Rodeo Masbateño began in the 1990s as a way to revitalize the country's failing cattle industry. But the origins of cattle ranching and cowboys date back to the 16th century when the Spanish brought cows to the Philippines.

Today, the province takes pride in their cattle and displays this pride every year during their rodeo.

Between the 16th to the 19th centuries, Spanish colonizers brought cattle to Masbate via the Manila-Acapulco trade route between the Philippines and Mexico.

Filipinos riding towards the village on cows and their baskets full of goods.Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

The arrival of cattle and the fledgling cattle industry turned the landscape of Masbate from forests to sprawling grasslands.

Slash and burn forest clearance with calf, Alcoy Forest, Cebu, Philippines.David Tipling/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The Rodeo Masbateño Inc. launched their annual rodeo in 1993 in an effort to bring attention to the cattle industry and attract more tourists.

A Filipino cowboy practices with a lasso.David Greedy/Getty Images

Although there are other rodeos throughout the Philippines, Masbate is considered the rodeo capital of the country and has the one of the only dedicated and permanent arenas.

Filipino cowboys watch the competition at the 2003 National Rodeo ChampionshipsDavid Greedy/Getty Images

Although there are other rodeos throughout the Philippines, Masbate is considered the rodeo capital of the country and has the one of the only dedicated and permanent arenas.

Students and professional teams can participate in eight main events for a $23,000 prize.

Filipino rider Henry Zamora falls from his bull during the cattle bareback riding competitionJAY DIRECTO/AFP via Getty Images

But the prize money isn't the only thing drawing people to the rodeo. For others, it's about a show of strength.

A man wrestles cattle to the ground.ROMEO GACAD/AFP via Getty Images

The carambola is known amongst regulars as the most exciting and dangerous event.

A Filipino cattle handler keeps an eye on the bulls used in the National Rodeo Championships.David Greedy/Getty Images

For carambola, a team of two or four people try to restrain a cow inside of the ring using only their hands.

Filipino cowboys take part in the cattle wrestling event at the 2003 National Rodeo Championships.David Greedy/Getty Images

Competing in the carambola is not without its risks.

A Filipino cowboy is nearly trampled by a bull during competitionDavid Greedy/Getty Images

But it's all in the spirit of the Rodeo Masbateño and part of the fun of the event.

Rodeo helpers in clown suit prepares a cattle for competitionROMEO GACAD/AFP via Getty Images

In addition to the rodeo events, there are food vendors, line dancing, and Filipino honky-tonk music.

Filipino performers in cowboy outfits perform a barn dance.ROMEO GACAD/AFP via Getty Images

Once an effort to bolster the cattle industry, the rodeo has now become a proud representation of the cowboy and cowgirl culture in Masbate.

Children chase a pig coated with grease.ROMEO GACAD/AFP via Getty Images

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Inside the rodeo capital of the Philippines, where cowboys and cowgirls still thrive

Between the 16th to the 19th centuries, Spanish colonizers brought cattle to Masbate via the Manila-Acapulco trade route between the Philippines and Mexico.

The arrival of cattle and the fledgling cattle industry turned the landscape of Masbate from forests to sprawling grasslands.

The Rodeo Masbateño Inc. launched their annual rodeo in 1993 in an effort to bring attention to the cattle industry and attract more tourists.

Although there are other rodeos throughout the Philippines, Masbate is considered the rodeo capital of the country and has the one of the only dedicated and permanent arenas.

Students and professional teams can participate in eight main events for a $23,000 prize.

But the prize money isn't the only thing drawing people to the rodeo. For others, it's about a show of strength.

The carambola is known amongst regulars as the most exciting and dangerous event.

For carambola, a team of two or four people try to restrain a cow inside of the ring using only their hands.

Competing in the carambola is not without its risks.

But it's all in the spirit of the Rodeo Masbateño and part of the fun of the event.

In addition to the rodeo events, there are food vendors, line dancing, and Filipino honky-tonk music.

Once an effort to bolster the cattle industry, the rodeo has now become a proud representation of the cowboy and cowgirl culture in Masbate.