Sabong, or cockfighting, has long been a part of the Filipino soul — a blend of sport, spectacle, heritage, and fortune. While many see it as entertainment or local tradition, for a select few, sabong has been the road to immense wealth, national recognition, and even political power. These individuals didn’t just raise gamefowl — they bred empires, financed legendary derbies, and turned a cultural passion into generational prosperity.
In this article, we trace the stories of the Top 10 Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine History — from tycoons and politicians to cultural icons whose gamefowls made history both in the cockpit and on the balance sheet.
Table of Contents
1. Don Antonio “Tonying” Floirendo Sr. (Davao del Norte)
Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine history would not be complete without Don Antonio at the top.
Estimated Wealth: ₱Billions
Claim to Fame: Known as one of Mindanao’s original elite sabungeros, Don Antonio Floirendo Sr. transformed cockfighting into a respected industry among the business class.
As the founder of TADECO, one of Southeast Asia’s largest banana plantations, Floirendo applied the same discipline and investment mindset to gamefowl breeding. His farms in Davao were known for top-tier American bloodlines like Sweater and Hatch, and his roosters consistently won high-stakes derbies.
Legacy Highlights:
- Helped professionalize sabong in Mindanao
- Built one of the earliest large-scale breeding farms
- Sponsored major derbies and cockpit infrastructure
Don Antonio’s vision helped lift sabong from local pastime to elite sport in the southern Philippines.
2. Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. (Tarlac)
Among the most influential Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine history, Danding’s legacy reaches far beyond politics.
Estimated Wealth: ₱20+ Billion
Claim to Fame: Political kingmaker, San Miguel Corp. chairman, and a lifelong sabong patron.
Cojuangco elevated the stature of sabong nationwide. He owned top-of-the-line breeding farms and imported world-class bloodlines. His entries frequently dominated major derbies like the Bakbakan and World Slasher Cup.
Legacy Highlights:
- Brought corporate-style management to gamefowl breeding
- Backed large national derbies with million-peso pots
- Influenced derby formats and breeder networks
“Danding” wasn’t just a powerful politician—he was a gamefowl icon whose farms became pilgrimage sites for breeders across the country.
Next up: Chavit Singson — Ilocos Sur’s lion and flamboyant sabong legend.
3. Luis “Chavit” Singson (Ilocos Sur)
One of the most flamboyant Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine history, Chavit Singson brought political power and showmanship into the cockpit.
Estimated Wealth: ₱1–3 Billion
Claim to Fame: Ilocos Sur political kingpin, businessman, and long-time sabong promoter.
Chavit is known for hosting high-stakes derbies with multi-million peso pots and importing bloodlines from the U.S. and Mexico. His gamefowls have competed in World Slasher Cup and big-league derbies all over Luzon.
Legacy Highlights:
- Built his own cockpit arenas in Vigan and Metro Manila
- Used sabong events as political and social hubs
- Often featured in televised derbies and gamefowl expos
He exemplifies how fame, politics, and cockfighting can blend in Philippine society.
4. Ramon Revilla Sr. (Cavite)
Another prominent name among Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine history, Ramon Revilla Sr. was a senator, film star, and an avid breeder.
Estimated Wealth: ₱Hundreds of Millions
Claim to Fame: Actor-turned-politician who used sabong to stay close to his roots.
Revilla raised top-notch bloodlines in Cavite and often participated in derbies anonymously or through his close circle. He believed cockfighting reflected discipline and masculinity — values he also portrayed in his movie roles.
Legacy Highlights:
- Integrated sabong themes into his films
- Supported ethical breeding practices and fair play
- Promoted cockfighting as national heritage
His contribution to sabong went beyond sport — it was cultural preservation.
5. Nene Araneta (Iloilo)
A pioneer breeder from the Visayas, Nene Araneta stands tall among Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine cockfighting heritage.
Estimated Wealth: ₱500 Million+
Claim to Fame: Creator of elite gamefowl lines including “Nene’s White.”
He developed disciplined breeding systems that set a model for backyard and commercial breeders alike. His bloodlines dominated Visayan derbies for decades.
Legacy Highlights:
- Regarded as a master geneticist in gamefowl lines
- Established derby standards in Iloilo and Bacolod
- Mentor to multiple sabungero champions
He helped make Western Visayas a powerhouse in cockfighting.
6. Reynaldo “Boy Lechon” Umali (Batangas)
Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine lore wouldn’t be complete without Boy Lechon — a businessman who turned roasted pig profits into sabong prestige.
Estimated Wealth: ₱300–400 Million
Claim to Fame: Rags-to-riches sabungero who won both local and international derbies.
Boy Lechon invested in gamefowl with the same passion he had for food. He frequently brought home trophies from international competitions like the World Slasher Cup and sponsored rural breeders across Batangas.
Legacy Highlights:
- Opened his own cockpit arenas in Southern Luzon
- Promoted grassroots training programs for handlers
- Embodied the success of hard work and humble beginnings
7. Manny Pacquiao (Sarangani)
Yes — even the People’s Champ is among the top Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine history.
Estimated Wealth: ₱3–5 Billion
Claim to Fame: Boxer, senator, and proud gamefowl breeder.
When not in the ring or Senate, Pacquiao is in his cockfarm. He owns multiple farms and often enters roosters in major derbies under aliases. His interest in sabong stems from childhood and symbolizes his continued ties to the grassroots.
Legacy Highlights:
- Invested in breeder networks across Mindanao
- Helps regulate cockpit betting and breeding ethics
- Made sabong acceptable in modern sports media
He brings mainstream legitimacy to the sport.
8. Ronnie “Boy Cantos” (Nueva Ecija)
Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine history often mention Boy Cantos as the quiet king of Luzon derbies.
Estimated Wealth: ₱250 Million
Claim to Fame: Organized major derby events with high pot money and developed prized bloodlines.
Boy Cantos invested in cutting-edge feeding and conditioning systems, becoming a reference point for newer breeders. His low-profile approach made him well-respected by hardcore sabungeros.
Legacy Highlights:
- Co-founder of Luzon Gamefowl Breeders Association
- Philanthropic sponsor of public cockpits
- Focused on sustainability in bloodline purity
9. Dino Alimbuyuguen (Cebu)
One of the most tech-savvy Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine cockfighting, Dino made his name through digital breeding records and export-ready farms.
Estimated Wealth: ₱200–300 Million
Claim to Fame: Bridged modern technology with traditional breeding
As one of the Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine cockfighting, Dino’s farm operations in Cebu are among the first to go fully digitized, from hatch tracking to feeding logs. His roosters have won internationally and he helps Philippine gamefowl gain global recognition.
Legacy Highlights:
- Helped legalize gamefowl exports
- Spearheaded online derby promotions
- Connected breeders with international buyers
10. Tata Peping Gonzales (Pampanga)
A cultural icon among Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine countryside, Tata Peping kept the soul of traditional sabong alive.
Estimated Wealth: ₱150 Million
Claim to Fame: Old-school breeder with deep roots in Kapampangan gamefowl traditions
As one of the most respected Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine countryside culture, Tata Peping didn’t rely on tech or money — just wisdom passed down through generations. His cocks were known for stamina and heart rather than just genetics.
Legacy Highlights:
- Preserved native bloodlines in Pampanga
- Mentored over 200 local breeders
- Advocated spiritual respect for the sport
He is proof that passion and tradition can lead to prestige and wealth.
Read More:-
- Cockfighting in the Philippines: Inside a Billion-Dollar Tradition of Blood, Belief, and Business
- Manny Pacquiao Wants Rematch with Mario Barrios After Drawn Battle
Frequently questioned answers
❓1. What is a “Millionaire Sabungero”?
A Millionaire Sabungero is a wealthy Filipino who made significant investments in cockfighting. Many of the Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine history owned champion bloodlines, operated large farms, and won prestigious derbies.
❓2. Are all sabungeros in this list involved in politics or business?
Most of the Millionaire Sabungeros in Philippine history came from politics, business, or entertainment. Their success helped elevate sabong into a national sport and respected tradition.
❓3. Is sabong still popular in the Philippines today
Yes, despite legal changes and temporary bans, sabong remains culturally significant — especially in rural areas — with many still breeding, betting, and watching derbies.