“The reason for our Rodeo here is like a simulation of ranch work.”

Upon arriving at the Masbate Sports Complex of the city a little after 3 p.m., I was immediately greeted by a dusty atmosphere, where horses were held by men, waiting for riders or photo-takers. It was a warm afternoon but surprisingly not humid. The area was filled with cowboy-themed merchandise for sale, with a cow skull bearing the words “Rodeo Masbate” elegantly displayed on a varnished wooden plank. I decided to take some photos before heading toward the Rodeo Masbateno Inc. (RMI) office to gather more information. There, the staff kindly directed me towards the bleachers, where the Rodeo Finals participants were receiving orientation from the event’s director, Leo Gozum. Even from a distance, I could hear a deep and commanding voice of a huge, stocky man, and I immediately knew it had to be him.

Being the Rodeo Director, Gozum oversees all aspects of the event, similar to how a conductor leads an orchestra. He describes the event as both a competition and a show, where entertaining the crowd is just as important as the competition itself, much like a concert. Gozum and the RMI have been holding this event annually since 1993, and despite postponing it a few times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are still passionate about continuing this Masbateño tradition.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Gozum recalled his younger years. Attending classes at the University of the Philippines Los Baños where he majored in Agriculture, he wore boots and a cowboy hat without concern for others’ opinions or comments, proudly doing what he felt like. When asked when he started doing this whole rodeo thing, Gozum’s eyes glimmered followed by a smirk.

“Ito na ang kinamulatan ko. It’s part of me. It’s like walking.”’ ’35’: ‘image’: ‘jcr:a5d08e5f-f0d9-47d0-a31f-105af7d17767’ ‘imageCaption’: ‘Rodeo Director Leo Gozum speaks to participants during an orientation for the Rodeo National Finals in Masbate City on April 10, 2023. Photo by

The 27th Rodeo National Finals is a highly anticipated event that brings together 11 teams from the professional category, representing various ranches and municipalities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. These teams consist of alumni from different schools, each bringing their unique skills and experiences to the competition.But the event is not limited to professionals. 10 teams from the student category, comprising both men and women, also participate in the competition. Like their professional counterparts, these teams come from various regions across the country, showcasing their talent and passion for the sport.58-year-old Clod Firme, a born and bred rancher, grew up in the vast landscape of the Monterey Farms Corporation ranch in Isabela, where his father worked as a farm manager. With a staggering 1,200-hectare land and 1,500 heads of cattle, it was in this very ranch where Firme’s passion for cattle wrestling on foot began at just five years old.Firme’s athletic prowess led him to become the main player at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) from 1985 to 1992. He represented Cagayan Valley, Region 2 in the national finals for cattle wrestling on foot in Masbate in 1998, where he emerged as the champion. ‘ ’37’: ‘image’: ‘jcr:fe8e1d0a-2f74-4507-9084-5333425b5995’ ‘imageCaption’: ’58-year-old Clod Firme of the Central Luzon State University

Clod continued to work on his passion for ranching and agriculture. He became a farm consultant in Isabela, where he taught proper management techniques, trained personnel, and even treated sick cattle. His reputation spread throughout the region, and according to him, soon became a household name in the ranching community. He even expanded his ranch work to Ifugao, Kalinga, Cagayan, and Isabela, which he said that he visited daily to ensure proper management.“This sport is all about discipline,” says Firme. “Although drinking and smoking are normal vices for cowboys, I don’t do any of them. As long as you feel the strength, it’s there. The strength and sharpness of your mind. But I’m also preparing for the time when I can no longer wrestle a cow to the ground. But for now, I still feel that I can do it. Maybe in four years when I turn 62, I will retire.”Since 2013, Firme returned to the national finals as a CLSU alumnus, representing the CLSU Ranchers Club, but failed to secure any win from then on. Despite this, Firme’s passion for ranching and agriculture remained unwavering. As he turns 58 this June, he continues to live and breathe the cowboy way of life.“I can feel it now. It’s not like before. My running speed has decreased, although my stamina is still there. Before, I used to keep up with my teammates in running. That’s how I determine if I can still do it. Last year, I could still keep up with them, but now, I’m falling behind. That’s the time when I realized that the time of weakness in a person comes.”’ ’38’: ‘image’: ‘jcr:6762e3d9-f70e-42e9-af9c-810f6c424764’ ‘imageCaption’: ‘People watch the Rodeo Grand Parade in Masbate City. Photo

Joah Joloyohoy, a 27-year-old Animal Science graduate and a Professional Education student from Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan, has found her passion in rodeo. Her heart races every time she steps into the ring whether for team casting or one woman, just a few of the events that she is a part of.She was drawn to rodeo after taking a subject on proper cattle restraining techniques. When she discovered the Xavier University Rodeo Enthusiasts Organization, she was captivated by the way they trained and played. Joloyohoy, who also plays soccer and softball, immediately applied to join the organization.Despite her love for the sport, Joloyohoy acknowledges the risks involved. Injuries are inevitable in rodeo, as we often play with huge animals,” she admits.“However, the team ensures that safety comes first, and they apply this principle even during training. If there are injuries, they are often limited to rope burns or scratches.”’ ’40’: ‘image’: ‘jcr:a6d7cc56-89fa-4187-a343-0f7ed18fc164’ ‘imageCaption’: ‘Participants watch fellow competitors during the Rodeo National

Joloyohoy’s parents also had to give their consent before she could participate in the rodeo. And while being a woman in a male-dominated sport can be intimidating, Joloyohoy advises aspiring rodeo athletes to pursue their passion, regardless of gender. What matters most is your love for the sport,” she says. The Sese Brahman’s Ranch, a vast 1,150-hectare cattle ranch, is located several kilometers away from the busy city of Masbate. It is a popular attraction for tourists, featuring a hilltop restaurant and offering “cowboy tours.” The ranch is managed by a team of four cowboys responsible for the care and maintenance of the cattle.Justin Baring is a 26-year-old cowboy who has spent the last seven years of his life working in the ranch. As he recounts, he grew up on the ranch and is familiar with the daily grind of cowboy work.Although the work can be exciting and thrilling, riding horses and herding cattle is no easy feat. Every morning, Baring and his fellow cowboys patrol the vast land, checking the streams, traversing the deep paths, counting the cows, and looking for any missing animals. They often find themselves searching for a lost cow, just like the other day when they discovered a cow buried in the deep mud. It took a great deal of effort, but they were able to save it.’ ’42’: ‘image’: ‘jcr:3473089b-af3d-4df3-b844-972e605b3c20’ ‘imageCaption’: ‘Cattle are gathered at a main road in Masbate City in preparation

The cows in their ranch are significantly larger than the ones used in the Rodeo Masbateno National Finals, which Baring says are often neglected and underfed. In contrast, the cows in their ranch are well-fed and thriving.Once their morning routine is complete, they return to the ranch to keep watch and perform various tasks. Baring notes that they occasionally have many visitors, which can be both exhausting and enjoyable. This type of work is physically demanding for a real-life cowboy like Baring, but just another day at the office.’ ’44’: ‘image’: ‘jcr:0089a0e0-0f91-4f89-85b0-f40b217e13b1’ ‘imageCaption’: ‘Cattle are mobilized inside the Sese Brahmans ranch. Photo

The highlight of the experience for us was when we got to join the cowboys and take part in the actual driving of the cattle, and showed us how they spend their day. Witnessing such expansive fields and free-roaming cattle was a surreal experience. There were no competitors or Juego de Toro fanatics around. No kids poking their eyes and people hogtying them. Just the serene summer breeze and the magnificence of the great outdoors. It was also my first time riding a horse, as the small horses in Baguio or the weak ones in Tagaytay would never have been able to carry someone my size. Even though we only rode for an hour, we were already exhausted from all the balancing we had to do. After dismounting, one of the cowboys chuckled.