Smart Araneta Coliseum, the home of World Slasher Cup (WSC), is saddened with the passing of Mr. Emmanuel “Manny” Berbano, who succumbed to COVID-19 on March 24, 2021.
Berbano was the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pitgames Media, a dedicated media partner and active supporter of WSC. He cultivated Pitgames Media into an organization that has served not only the gamefowl industry but the agriculture sector of the country as well.
Considered by some as among the grandfathers of gamefowl, Berbano has dedicated his life to the growth and promotion of the industry. He has co-authored a number of books about gamefowls, conducted lectures and seminars all over the country, and even travelled to the US and Southeast Asia to promote the cockfighting derby. He also hosted TV shows such as “Tukaan”, the country’s original and longest running TV sabong show, and “Sultada”, a program that showcases the prestigious derbies all over the country.
Berbano’s interest in gamefowl started at a young age. Born to a poor family in 1960, he grew up in the slums of Manila with chickens as the only source of entertainment. For him, it was the only thing that he and his friends would care for and get excited about back then.
He dropped out of college but manage to find success in sales and marketing, even becoming an executive of Coca-Cola, due to his hard work and perseverance in life. His good people skills and passion for gamefowl also gave him the opportunity to co-organize the World Gamefowl Expo, the only expo of its kind in the world.
His love of the industry has helped grow the gamefowl world into where it is now — an industry appreciated by people from all walks of life.
Berbano is survived by 4 beautiful daughters, and has left a long-lasting gamefowl legacy not just in the Philippines but in the whole world.
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