Accompanied by a certificate issued by Mr. Nixxio L. Castrillo confirming the authenticity of this lot

ABOUT THE WORK

Eduardo Castrillo was an avid fan of sabong or cockfighting. Like numerous Filipinos, he would revel in the boisterous atmosphere brought by the thrill and excitement of watching two fowls vanquish each other like a boxer aiming for a technical knockout of the opponent. In a 2016 Philstar article by art critic Carlomar Arcangel Daoana, Castrillo was described by his nephews and nieces as the “best buddy sa [in] sabong,” among other terms of endearment. Keeping in touch with his native sensibilities, Castrillo pays homage to and immortalizes the traditional Filipino leisure and pastime in this piece depicting a sabong. Here, Castrillo evokes the intensity and vigor attached to such tradition. Towering figures of two roosters in the very act of attempting to subdue the other brings a resounding message: that the Filipino people are never to be disregarded nor toyed with. As a nationalist artist committed to the ideals of his nation and its people, this is Castrillo’s sense of social responsibility. (A.M.)