SABUNGERONG PINOY
   (Breeder of the Month)


Dicky  Lim : Let's Win

For a cocker who had actively competed in Teresa Square Garden and Covelandia during the 70s and early 80s, one would immediately perceive that Dicky Lim is a man already in his sixties. He is relatively young compared to the likes of James Chiongbian, Cong. Carding Silverio, Cong. Peping Cojuangco or Esting Teopaco, but then, probably borne out of his youth, Lim was a man in a hurry in those days .
     During that time Dicky thought "there was no better thrill in the world but to gamble". He would frequently go to the derbies competing against the "giants" in those days, until, his vice got the best of him and took its toll on his health and wealth.

DICKY LIM

A Natural Born Cocker

        Dicky's penchant for cockfighting was already evident when he was still a toddler. As an eight-year old, in Palawan,  he would gaff roosters with pomelo thorns or wires and fight them against each other.
          In the late sixties, his family transferred
to Manila where he was first indoctrinated into the cockpits upon the prodding of a friend, Atty. Benigno Saban. Soon enough, Dicky was competing all over the country fighting roosters. During those days he was a frequent buyer of Nene Abello, Mamie Lacson, Nato Lacson, Alex Montelibano, Luis Jalandoni, Juancho Aguirre and Bob Cuenca.
          He had his frequent share of winnings, but it always seem not enough.
          Pretty soon, things got out of hand.  He was already fighting and gambling more than he should and can afford. In his lavish ways, he eventually lost control and it was already  late when he realized that he had enough. He stopped and went into self-imposed hibernation.

Breeding is the Key

        In 1989, silently, Dicky started his comeback, by way of breeding. Realizing that he couldn't just keep on buying birds considering their exorbitant price, Dicky decided to start breeding and raising roosters of his won. In Bacolod, he put up a gamefowl farm and later a conditioning yard in Malvar, Batangas.
       He found out that the real satisfaction he was looking for in cockfighting was in having to breed superior roosters and seeing them dominate their opponents.
        In 1994,  Dicky launched his comeback and five years of preparation seemed to have been well worth it. He fought his roosters and started making a name for himself again. This time not as a gambler, but as
a breeder and cockfighter.
         Using the entry names DL Warriors, El Nido and Malvar Rangers, he made his mark once more conquering numerous derbies around Metro Manila including Roligon Mega Cockpit where he had captured several championships.
            In 2001, he joined the National Cockers Association derby circuit in combination with friend Willam Co. Through their entry Spencer Winslet, Dicky was competing against the "giants" again.

Winslet is "Titanic"

       It was just after the Titanic movie's record breaking run that Dicky came out with the entry name Winslet. So everyone thought it was pertaining to actress Kate Winslet who played the role of the film's heroine Rose. Lim, later on clarified that the name was actually "let's win" read backwards. And win, they did.
       The word Winslet proved to be truly "titanic" later on after Dicky won the championship of the World Slasher Cup I in January 2002. Besting 73 other tough competitors, Winslet posted a total score of 7 wins and 1 draw. Regarded as the "olympics of cockfighting", the semi-annual 8-cock international event is considered as the most prestigious derby in the country. A WSC title is every cocker's dream.
       Dead serious in capturing the WSC crown, Lim spent a whole year getting ready for the event. For six months before the big fight, he did not go to any  cockfights.
       From a field of twenty aces composed of three-year-old Roundheads-Siver Grey crosses, Butchers and Lemons, he chose eight for the Slasher which delivered to him the  rare solo victory.

Better and Wiser

      During the time he was preparing for the WSC, Dicky spent a lot of time with his farmhands. Today, he would look back and be thankful that he did it. Now, he admits that  he is particularly beholden to handler Santiago Sumugat who he claims brought him luck for being so reliable. The kind person that he is, Lim have had handlers in the pasts who have gone from good to bad to worse in abusing him to the extent of placing bets in the pit even without money, because they know their Boss would take care of them.
     Nowadays, Dicky considers his people as the most reliable and dependable there are. He believes that "while bloodline is perennially important, the secret is to focus on a goal at a time so the birds get the most out of conditioning and handling. No multi-tasking for the trainers whatsoever. Conditioners and handlers have jobs exclusive to their expertise."
      Dicky takes care of the initial selection, although he would yield to the recommendation of the trainer in which roosters are outstanding. In the pit, his men leave the pointing, the gaffing and the handling to him.  Experience have made him a more cautious cocker. He bets big , but only in his roosters and tries to protect his investments through insurance betting.He still believes in luck that he thinks anyone who has been having a string of bad lucks should lie low until lady luck shows up again.
      Formal, friendly, humble and down-to-earth, Dicky Lim remains as one of the most well-liked and most respected cockfighters in the country. And maybe, that is why luck continues to smile on him.