Bullfighting in the Philippines, 1602-2022

This book explores the obscure Philippine branch of a celebrated Iberian tradition linking Spain and the Philippines for over four centuries. It pairs the pioneering work of Spanish writer Wenceslao E. Retana (1896) with recent research to demystify bullfighting in Spain’s farthest colony. While American occupation caused its decline, bullfighting saw a resurgence under Pres. Ramón Magsaysay, who, during the republic's tenth anniversary, notably featured an American woman bullfighter at the last Filipino fiesta de toros.

The book situates the marginality of Philippine bullfighting within the broader context of cockfighting, which has historically overshadowed taurine practices. It also examines the ongoing debate about animal treatment in both bull- and cockfighting, from the sixteenth century to today. Using Clifford Geertz’s concept of “cultural performance,” it asks why such traditions endure and whether they merit protection as cultural patrimonies, like UNESCO’s recognition of falconry.

Addressing a general readership, the book employs a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating fine arts, literature, anthropology, science, and philosophy. Enriched with over 200 images, a bilingual glossary, a timeline, a “Who’s Who,” and Retana’s Fiestas de Toros en Filipinas (1896), it offers a rich overview of Spanish and Philippine taurine history while delving into the complex intersections of animality, humanity, and spectacle.

Published in 2022 by Vibal Foundation, Inc.

280 pages