Rhelyn Harder
- With the influence of his family, his passion became his foundation to start raising fighting cocks
- He dreamed to be one of the famous cock breeders and become an endorser of Thunderbird
- It’s been 12 years since he started this hobby and one thing he learned was to save money for his fowls until he graduated
Passion is defined as the willingness to sacrifice for the things that you love to do, just like this young fowl breeder who shared his life story and posted his graduation picture holding a fighting cock as he aimed to inspire all fowl breeders.
A Facebook user, Jarius Elijah T. Arthur of Patucannay, Tayum Abra, the owner of 4J’s Game Farm that sells and breeds fighting cocks, shared his life story on a Facebook post. 4J’s GameFarm name was derived from his name and that of his siblings: Jarius, Johannes, Jarev, and Jonezz.
Jarius’ love for fowls runs in the family, starting with his grandfather, uncles, and even with his father. As early as 6-years-old, he recalled that he has this white native chicken which he names “Thunderbird” that he used to feed.
“6 yrs old pa lang, natatandaan ko pa na may manok ako noon na puti. Isang native na ang pangalan ay “Thunderbird.” Matagal kong inalagaan ang manok na ito. Inaasikaso sa umaga para magpakain, pagdating sa hapon deretso ulit sa kanya.”
At the age of 8, it was his first time to enter a cockpit together with his grandfather and his uncle and his first time to witness cockfighting and luckily, they won the fight. With the influence of his family, his passion became his foundation to start raising fighting cocks as he found happiness with this new hobby.
“Marami akong natutunan sa lolo, papa at tito ko. Sila ang naging pundasyon ng mga kaalaman ko sa manok. Masayang mag-alaga ng manok,” he wrote.
There was a time that he dreamed to be one of the famous cock breeders and become an endorser of “Thunderbird,” a brand name that sells products for game fowl. Taking care of his fowl wasn’t that easy. Like any other animal, fowls also tend to get sick but that didn’t stop him. Instead, this became his inspiration to persevere with his passion.
“Meron din namang kalungkutan kapag nakikita mo ang mga ito na nagkakasakit, pero hindi ito ang naging hadlang sa akin para tumigil sa pag-aalaga, ginawa ko itong inpirasyon upang magpursigi pa lalo,” he added
It’s been 12 years since he has started this hobby and one thing he learned is to save money for his fowls until he graduated. Now, he already has nine roosters, four hens, and some chicks. For him, to be a fowl breeder, one must be patient, diligent, and knows how to manage time.
“Noong high school ako 50 pesos ang baon ko sa isang araw, 28 pesos ang pamasahe papunta sa eskwelahan. Sa buong araw na natitira ay isinasantabi ko upang pambili ng aking pagkain at ng para sa aking manok.”
“Thunderbird” this is the product he recommends for he has proven and tested its quality since he started to raise fowls.
“Hindi sa pinagmamayabang o pagpapa-good shot sa Thunderbird. Mula sisiw hanggang sa paglaki ng mga ito ay produkto ninyo ang mga gamit ko pati sa mga gamot. Iba talaga kasi kapag may pangalan na sa larangan ng manok ang gagamitin mo. Hindi ako nagkamali sa pinili kong patuka ng aking mga manok, talagang tamang-tama ang motto natin! Gumamit ng Thunderbird na ‘The Winning Formula.’ Winner sa kalusugan at winner sa laban.”
Though there were people who would say that he was just wasting his money, but for him, they were all wrong because, for him, he was investing his money on his happiness. With his experience to have this kind of passion, it needed love for your fowls for they will show their love in return.
“Iba ang sayang naidudulot sa akin ng mga manok, ang pagtilaok nila ang nagsisilbing taga gising ko sa umaga. Ito ang naghuhudyat sa akin ng panibagong araw at simula. Sila rin ang nagsisilbing stress reliever ko, hindi rin ako lumalabas ng bahay dahil sila lang ang inaatupag ko.”
Some would say that raising fighting cocks is claiming to be a gambler but for him, this is a misconception because raising fowls can be a hobby or a passion. He also added that raising fowls also helped him financially, especially in his everyday necessities.
“Kung dumating man sa punto ng kagipitan ay binebenta ko ang aking mga manok pandagdag sa allowance o ‘di kaya pambili rin ng pagkain ng mga manok at mga kailangan sa pang araw-araw na pamumuhay.”
Jarius wanted to have his own farm but he need a lot of money to make it possible, which made him decide to do his best to finish his studies.
“Gusto kong mapalaki ang aking munting farm pero hindi biro ang perang gagamitin kaya binuhos ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya upang makapagtapos sa pag aaral.”
To all enthusiastic fowl breeders like him, the experience he shared would become their inspiration and with “Thunderbird” who helped him take care of his fowls as he knew that had to face a lot of challenges to be a successful breeder.
“Marami pa akong tatahakin upang mapalago ang pag aalaga ko ng manok. Maraming salamat sa tulong ng Thunderbird. Sana po ay maging inpirasyon sa lahat ng magmamanok na gaya ko ang aking kwento at karanasan.
