“SAKLA”,
A COMMON FUNERAL PRACTICE OF IMUSEÑOS
A Research
Presented
to
the Imus
Institute of Science and Technology
City of
Imus, Cavite
In Partial
Fullfilment
of the
Requirements of the Subject
Practical
Research 1
By:
KYLA MARIE A. SARROCA
March 2017
Chapter
1
THE PROBLEM AND
ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
Gambling
has been part of human civilization for thousands of years. The continuous
growth of gaming in Asian economies, particular in Macau, shows how people in
society embraces gambling over the last 15 years (Medoza and Richardson 2015). Throughout the existence
of the Filipinos after the Spanish colonization in the Philippines, one of the
prior changes that happened in the country’s culture is having the adoptism of
gambling. Considered
as part of the Filipino tradition, the Philippine version of Spanish tarot
cards or “sakla” is commonly observed
during funeral nights where one might expect to see people gambling. In
addition, the native gambling “sakla”
is consists of 48 cards consisting different characters and a board where the
same cards are place to bet on. For Imuseños, the board is known as “Latagang Imus”, on the other hand, the
cards are called “Barahang tagalog”
in Cavite which is operated by a group of personnel, or the so-called “bangka”.
Saklaan
is not just a making wages for nothing, it has its own purpose on why this event occurs
similarly when the wakes are presented. There will be a sharing of winning
within the operators and the family. Therefore, it allows the concerned family
to raise the needed money for the funeral ceremonies. According to Randolf
David, a sociology professor of UP Diliman, gambling has its own function that
keeps the mourners around. It lasts for more than a week just to attain the
extra expenses needed for the burial. Some illegal activities are found in
streets and slam areas. Huge number of Filipinos patronizing those illegal
activities it is because of having a big chance of winning a jackpot with cheap
bets compared to Casinos which are too expensive.
However, some people find it disrespectful and
considered as a flaw to Philippine culture. Instead of knowing its purpose,
they find it annoying because of loosing of solemn mourning and paying much
more tribute to the deceased person. Meanwhile, sakla somehow remains illegal because it does not contain tax unlike
the other established agencies operated by Philippine Amusement and Gaming
Corporation (PAGCOR) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), which
are both known as the largest contributor of revenue in Philippine Government.
Although
the government and the other law do not want the Filipinos to patronize this
gambling, the belief and traditions in saklaan
is still granted by the other authorities due to its good benefits among the
operators and the concerned family. Thus, the sharing of money really happened
that will be soon used for other expenditure. Gambling may end up into
addiction if it was not properly handled. But having a prior knowledge on every
act can decreases the possibility of having a bad outcome. This study will provide
an overview of sakla operation during
funeral wakes. It wil unlock the awareness of every people about native
gambling, specifically the so-called sakla.
Statement of the Problem
This
study aims to answer the following general question:
What
is the importance of native gambling “sakla”?
The
following specific questions will be answered:
1. What
are the requirements to organize “sakla” during the wake?
2. What
agreement exists between the “sakla” operators and the concerned family?
3. What
are the benefites of “sakla” operation for the:
a. Sakla
Operator;
b. Bereaved
families; and
c.
Gamblers?
Conceptual Framework
Figure 1: Schematic Diagram of the
Study
Figure 1
illustrates the schematic diagram of the study entitled “Sakla”, a common
funeral practice of Imuseños.
The input includes the stated problem of the study which is done through
interviews among the respondents. The research is expected to have the overview
of the sakla operation during funeral wakes.
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT |
|||
 |
|||
Significance
of the Study
The researcher intended to enrich
the knowledge of the Filipino citizen about the native gambling happening on
funeral known as “saklaan” or “sakla”.
To
Society. This study will provide an overview of the sakla. It will also help
the society to understand why some Filipinos engages on some gambling
activities.
To Filipino Bettor.
This study enables them to find out the importance of the gambling. Moreover,
this research study will provide them some information and awareness on how
they can help on the concerned family funeral expenses.
To
Authorities. This study can provide them some gathered
data that they may use on seeing the good benefits of the “sakla”. Additionally, it offers some knowledge on why it should be
legalized in nearby places where funeral is located.
To the Personnel/Operators.
The study will inform the Filipino community about their importance on leading
the events like funerals. It will help them to pursue their jobs even more
because of the conducted study.
For
the Future Researchers. This study will serve as their guide on conducting
a qualitative research. It will also contribute a lot for the students, who
also have some interest on studying the topic, to have a concrete source.
Scope and Delimitation
The study focuses on the
contribution of the native gambling, sakla
on funeral practices. The respondent of the study is limited to a family, an
organization of operators and selected sakla players living in City of Imus,
Cavite specifically in some streets of Bayan Luma. The researcher will find a
place where both funeral and gambling is present. The chosen place is located
nearby the researcher’s residence which is Bayan Luma City of Imus, Cavite.
Definition of Terms
Bereaved
in
adjectives, describes a greatly saddened of a person because of death of a certain person.
Expenditure
is
another term for expenses.
Operators
are also known as “Balasador”,
“bangka”, table manager and personnel.
They’re the group of people who are employed in a certain type of organization.
PAGCOR
or the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation is a government-owned and
controlled corporation established through the Presidential degree 1067 A.
PCSO
or Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is also a government-owned and controlled
corporation of the Philippines. It is mandated to do fund raising in order to
provide health programs, medical assistance and charity funds. PCSO and PAGCOR
are one of the great revenue contributors in the Philippines.
Sakla
is a Filipino culture native gambling mostly seen in funeral wakes.
Spanish tarot cards
are originally known as Baraja Español.
They are the playing cards composed of 40-48 cards used in sakla operation.
Chapter
2
REVIEW
RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
Related Foreign Literature
Nowadays, many people are engaged in gaming businesses
especially in places like Macau and Las Vegas which are known for owning the
largest gambling industry in the world. Gambling and investing are the two
activities where money is being circulated however, comparisons are often made
between them. Gambling is pertaining increasing the amount of money by taking
chances on playing the stakes while investing, somehow put on money on offering
profitable returns on the other hand, investing drives capitalism. One can
change the world in a small way by just investing in companies for social or
environmental aspects unlike gambling which does not have any stable positive
contribution. Although it helps local economies, it will still eventually lead
to unpleasant side effects. In addition, Chris Anderson an executive director
of the Illinois Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling, has said that
gambling is not really about making money, it is about "action", and
the lure of the big win. (Murcko, 2014).
Asians make up 80% of the whales in Las Vegas casinos and LA
Times article noted that people of Asian descent are 10 times more likely to
gamble than any other ethnic group. The passions of Asian gamblers extend to
online gambling at a variety of top-rated online casinos and lead to the
legality of Internet gaming in various Asian countries like China, Japan,
Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore and Philippines. (Walker, 2015) Even though
gambling is illegal in People’s Republic, its residents are on its highest
rate, where wealthy Chinese earned a huge amount of money in casino contribution
and profit (Fish, 2013). Chinese people have strong belief in fortune that
encourages other Asian countries to gamble. (MA, 2014)
Several jurisdictions planned to
contemplate the Casino expansion to generate tax revenue, to create stable
employment and to stimulate economic growth (St. Pierre et al., 2014). In
relation with this, the opening of casino gambling industries can be beneficial
on contributing large tax revenues for economic growth. (Wu & Chen as cited
in Anderson (2005) & Guli (2009))
Related Local Literature
The Presidential Decree no. 1602 clearly articulates the
prescribing of stiffer penalties on illegal gambling whereas, Philippine
Gambling Laws and other City and Municipal ordinances in gambling all over the
country will have more effective action in combating social menace which
dissipate the energy and other people’s resources.
(http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1978/pd_1602_1978.html). Amending some certain provisions of it, Republic Act no.
9287 mainly focuses on eradicating of illegal number games in part of the
country. With the act of increasing of penalties, it will ensure the
independence of the people and will promote full employment and rising standard
of living for improved quality of life of all. (http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2004/ra_9287_2004.html)
In relation with
this, President Duterte stated that there will be no benefits to get from
gambling. On 22th of December 2016, he first ordered to close all the form of
online gambling in the Philippines. He also added that the government has no
mechanism to regulate the industry. (Krishnamoorthy, 2016)
Despite of the laws and ordinances about illegal
gambling, Filipinos are still in into that certain situation. Some people are
continuously succeeding in engaging gambling business due to lack of
enforcement running in the country. After all, there are some Filipinos who
find gambling as a life strategy especially in finding jobs
like PCSO Lotto outlet which can be in demand more likely when it almost
reaches the half a million bet. Moreover, if gambling will be legalized, most
of the Filipinos will chase after the franchise and will earn money from it
(Balane, 2012). In contrary of what Castell & Tanchuo (2016) said, gambling
is described as “habitual and pervasive social activity” that should have been
diminished to have a more productive pursuit like savings. (Pabico as cited in
Castell & Tanchuo 2014)
There are still more existing street gambling
practices in the country and yet too popular. The most common native gambling
games during wakes which is “sakla”. It is the combination of gambling and
funerals where the portion of cash often covers the funeral costs. Some small
business like bingo, poker, majhong and even fighting spiders are held together
with the sakla operation. (Espinosa, 2016)
Related Foreign Studies
Several Asian families and
communities in New Zealand were investigated about the impacts of gambling and
problem gambling on their health and well-being. Residence living in New
Zealand shared their thoughts regarding the reasons on why they are still engaging
it. Moreover, the study also provides an in-depth interview between the person
regarding their experience in problem-gambling. (Sobrun-Maharaj, 2012)
Similarly to Defabbro (2012), he defined the negative impacts of gambling in
Australia particularly for the government who are both agents of diminishing
gambling and liberalization of it.
Meanwhile, a correlation between
social problems and gambling are determined by researchers from University of
Arkansas System (2016). It might lead to delinquency and illegal behavior of
people. Consequently, problem gambling is an ecological issue which may need
multiple agencies to work together in finding solution.
On the other hand, a research
proposal in America (2011) shows the brighter side of gambling where people can
avail job opportunities once they support gambling. Nowadays, gambling industry
becomes a global industry.
Related Local Studies
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation or PAGCOR
captivates customers with its world-class entertainment experience, improved
infrastructure, more competitive facilities and highly professional man power.
Thus, it is considered as first largest contributor of revenue after the tax
and custom activity in the Philippines. It showcases the exceptional Filipino
way of serving customers that somehow promotes Philippine tourism, culture and
arts. In addition, PAGCOR helps the government in other participating
governance like handling programs, maintaining social responsibilities and
operating works as well. (University of Arkansas System, 2016)
Business involving gambling is quite
difficult and will take a lot of risks on accepting that kind of job. Baylon
(2012) showed the overall view of Filipino gambling. He also stated that the
government sees the positive outcome of having gambling industries in the
country which contradicted the religious sects. There are two kinds of
gambling, first is the legalized activity which are held in the government
establishment while the second is the illegal way. Moreover, the main factors
like because of poverty, increasing of unemployed people and culture let the
Filipinos continue their involvement in illegal gambling.
Synthesis
A thorough review of the researcher,
both local and foreign, presented the different perceptions beyond gambling
activities. There are some discussed reports about the new face of gambling,
mainly the “online” that is somehow constricted by the authorities. But then,
any gambling types is prohibited by the law and there will be an imposed
penalty for it inhibits negative effects on society as well. Nevertheless,
there is still an existing benefit beyond such activity that makes gambling be
preferable to other people.
In
some instances, the cited articles and studies are closely-related to this
study This research also aims to know the importance, effects and benefits
people will get from gambling. However, the study only focuses on the overview
of specific type of gambling which is “sakla”.
CHAPTER 3
Methodology
Research
Design
The
qualitative phenomenology is an extensive methodological approach which aims to
gather the deeper understanding of human behavior in regards to their
experiences. The research design is an appropriate preliminary action to the
study to furtherly understand the overview of the operation. The gathered data
were based on their personal point of view of the participants or around their
perceptions on the particular
phenomenon. In addition to this, the respondents of the research were
properly investigated on how and why they are being involved in such gambling
activities.
Moreover, through qualitative method the
sensitivity of the topic to the participants are well-managed.
Research Participants
Sakla
operations were usually observed together with the funeral wakes at night.
The
respondents are the gamblers, bereaved families and sakla operators. The researcher
gathered 22 participants: 10 gamblers, 8 bereaved families and 5 of the sakla
personnel. The parties such as gamblers and the bereaved families are always
available unlike sakla personnel or operators, they are commonly seen in night
funeral wakes and only had a limited time because of the preparation held in
the game.
Research Instrument
Through
structured interviews, in accordance to the survey questionnaires, the
respondents are able to deliver their thoughts well. The researcher provided
the participants a guide questionnaire to let them see the questions first
before answering it through in-depth interview.
The
questionnaire was grouped into three: for the gamblers, bereaved families, and
sakla operators. Each group of respondents have different corresponding
questions that mainly focuses on their gambling activities.
All
the participants are being asked about the additional information they like to
share about the sakla operation to provide more knowledge of the researcher as
well. Consequently, the unfamiliar words made the interview to become an
open-ended one.
Sampling Techniques
The
gathering of data has a process of selecting the number of individuals needed
in the study. The targeted population is in the town of Bayan Luma in City of
Imus Cavite where the researcher chose two different sampling techniques.
The
non-probability sampling is the best way to this study and the sampling
techniques like snowball and convenience are perceived in the study. The
respondents are randomly chosen according to their availability especially for
the sakla operators who can only offer a short period of time on interviewing.
Another sampling type is the snowball because the other recommendations of the
respondents in terms of suggesting individuals to answer the questionnaires are
followed.
Chapter 4
ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND
INTERPRETATION OF DATA
This
chapter overseen the analysis, presentation and interpretation of gathered data
among three groups of respondents: gamblers, bereaved families, and sakla operators
followed by the discussion of research findings.
This
study aims to provide an overview about the importance of native gambling sakla
in the society. The presented data were studied to answer the questions in
regard to the statement of the problem and these are the (1) Importance of
native gambling “sakla” (2) Requirements needed to organize sakla (3) Existing
agreements between sakla operators and concerned families and (4) Benefits of
sakla operation. Since the study is a qualitative phenomenology, in-depth
interviews were used and verbatim quotes were followed to support the
researcher’s findings. Various statements were labeled in accordance to their
specific groups, whether they are gamblers, operators or bereaved families.
(1) Requirements needed to organize “sakla” during
wakes
The participants, mainly the sakla
operators were asked about conducting an operation such as sakla. There are no
such needed requirements given on playing sakla. But before engaging it, there
are some small talks happened within the operators and the tasked barangay officials.
“We will talk to
some barangay authorities regarding the operation where it will serve as our
consent. That’s the prior requirement needed in this certain kind of activity.”
-Respondent no. 19 (BL6/51/M)
Meanwhile,
there are some factors of requirements needed on organizing sakla during
funeral wakes. The objects such as latagan and card are needed, even bettors
would be present to have a well-organized operation.
“We have latagan,
cards and also the capital money. Capital money where use to have an initial
cash-out whenever a bettor will luckily hit the right card. Moreover, we also
invite some people to bet on our game.” Respondent no. 19 (BL6/51/M)
“It’s a card game,
and you will place bet in the combination of card. Respondent no. 22
(Medicion/M)
“If there are some
bettors arriving, then we will open the game/operation.” -Respondent no. 21
(Bucandala/M)
Moreover,
there are no existing requirements for the family as long as members will agree
on operating sakla.
“As long as there
are no hustle talks with in the family, if all of them agree on this, then we
will go. But of course, it is legalized to see the death person before
operating the game.” -Respondent no. 19 (BL6/51/M)
“We don’t need any
requirements at all. The family wanted to operate sakla to have funeral
expenses” -Respondent no. 22 (Medicion/M)
In the case of gamblers, there are
no needed requirements before engaging the operation. All they need is to bet
on their own risk and luck.
(2) Existing agreements between the sakla operators
and the concerned family
The
obtained information regarding the existed agreement were acquainted among the
specific group of people mainly the operators and the bereaved. Majority of the
indigent families told that they were approached by the sakla operators and
furtherly discussed the benefits beyond the operation.
“The operators
discussed about the “saka” and all we can offer as great return to them is to
provide them food.” -Respondent no. 13 (BL4/50/F)
“The operators
promise to give the “tong” or the collected money to us.”- Respondent no. 12
(Bl4/46/F)
On
the other hand, some operators stated that there will be no agreement at all as
long as they see the corpse were there and adding the factor of families’
unworthy condition.
“We don’t have any
talked anymore. As long as the dead person is present,”-Respondent no. 20
(BL4/36/M)
Additionally,
the other members of the family should concur to the operation before it was
regulated by the operators.
“My family agreed therefore, there will be no
requirements at all and no specific talk happened between me and the
operators.” -Respondent no. 14 (BL1/M)
“As long as they
were no hustle talks within the family, if all of them will agree on this, then
we will go. It is legalized to see the corpse to manage the game then.”
-Respondent no. 19 (BL6/51/M)
“We don’t have any requirements at
all.” -Respondent no. 20 (BL4/36/M)
“We don’t need any
requirements at all. The family wanted to operate sakla to have funeral
expenses. “-Respondent no. 21 (Medicion/M)
In such agreement, the number of
nights were also discussed within the two parties. The bereaved families
appointed the length of time among the operators.
“It depends on the
bereaved family how long they want to operate the game. They will give us a
hint when the funeral wakes will end.” -Respondent no. 19 (BL6/51/M)
In
some instance, the operators will suggest to spend more nights in conducting
the operation in order to obtain the funeral expenses.
“Sometimes, if we see the poor condition of
the family, we will add some nights to add more money into the “tong”.” -
Respondent no. 19 (BL6/51/M)
(3) Benefits of sakla operation
among:
a.)
Sakla
operators
Most
of the operators came from different places in Imus but then gathered in the
Bayan Luma area where the funeral was held. They were interviewed about the benefits
of sakla to them, as operators. Sakla operation serves as their opportunities
for a long time. Choosing this kind of work was not quite easy because there
are a lot of factors on why they were engaged and these are the loss of job opportunities,
out of necessities moreover, the operation offers an immediate money in a night
that’s why the operators keeps on engaging this type of activity.
“Let us just say,
it is because of lack of necessities, no choice.” -Respondent no.22
(Medicion/M)
“In choosing this
path, I can’t say that I actually choose this job but it’s because of the
opportunity it offers. I’m a tricycle driver before and also have an unachieved
ambition before but then I know the strategy of the game. Therefore, I will
embrace this job. Moreover, it helps my family.” -Respondent no.19 (BL6/51/M)
“It’s because of
how difficult the life is. No, not too difficult, but it (sakla) somehow helps
us financially every day.” -Respondent no.23 (BL6/M)
“In companies,
they were just like saving their money for their food expenses but this job we have
an instant salary especially when we sometimes earn 3000 pesos in a night.
Moreover, it is all free here.” -Respondent no. 20 (Bucandala/M)
“Ako ay laking
hirap lamang at dahil sa kawalan ng trabaho at hirap na din ng buhay. Laking
sugal din kasi ako e at paglaki ko eto na yung kinuha kong trabaho. (I am born
in poverty and because of lack of job opportunities. Since I was a kid, I am
already surrounded by gambling activities that’s why when I grew up, I pursue
gambling as my work).” – Operator no.5
The
cited information regarding the benefits of sakla unto them were answered based
on their family needs and own basic needs. The collected money every wake will
serve as their payment for their family’s expenses and their other necessities
as well.
“When I entered
this job, the salaries I got every wake really helps my family especially when
there are sudden bills.” -Respondent no. 20 (BL4/36/M)
“It gives me an
income to spend for my everyday needs.” -Respondent no. 23 (BL6/M)
“I have an income
and provided everyday expenses to my family. Like that if we have no operation to
manage, we don’t have any income to get. Luckily, tonight we have a play.” –
Respondent no.23 (BL6/M)
Even
so, a Personnel have seen the operation as an financial assistance in their own
family expenses.
“Simple lang, yung
sakla yung source of income ko. (It is simple, sakla serves as my source of
income)” -Operator
no. 4
On
the other hand, aside of seeing sakla as a source of income, an operator stated
the mutual benefits happening in between the families and the operators.
“Eto lang yung
katangitanging trabaho na pwedekong kunin at alam kong nakatutulong ito sa
gastusin ng pamilya ko. At tsaka nakatuutlong din kami sa pamilya nung patay at
masaya akong makatulong sa ganoong paraan. (This is the only job I can pursue
and I know it will help my family’s expenses. Moreover, we operators can help
the families of the deceased and it is my pleasure to help those people in this
way.) “-Operator
no.2
“Nakakatutulong sa may patay. Sa mga hindi
kayang ipagpalibing kaagad lalo na sa kapos yung gagastusin, kung di
magapasakla ng ganyan saan kukuha? Kaya mahirap yung sitwasyon. Ssaan sila
kukuha ng gastusin? At saan kami kukuha ng income? Ang mahalaga dyan e, oo,
sugal yang sakla pero wag lang labislabisin. (It really helps the death person’s family. For those who can’t afford the burial because of the lack of money, the
expenses, if there are no operation like that, where will they get those payments?
The situation is really hard. Where will they get the expenses? And where will
we get our income? Yet, sakla is a gambling, the importance of that is to not
make it an addiction.” -Operator no. 5
“Sakla, gambling yan e,
pero malaking tulong. Maraming pamilya na ng namatayan are natulungan at
nagkaroon ng gastusin dahil sa sakla. (Sakla is a gambling activities, but it
is a great help. Many family of the dead are being helped and have their
expenses through sakla operation.)” -Operator no. 4
b.)
Bereaved
families
Various
people from indigent families were interviewed on why they agree to the sakla
operation and the following responses reflected the benefits given by saklaan
unto them. Consequently, the sakla mainly helps the families in terms of
payment in funeral services and expenses.
“Malaking bagay tulad sa amin. Lalo kaming
mga walang pagkukunan. Kung walang sakla, walang pamfuneraria. (It will be a
great help especially for us family who doesn’t have any stable source. If
there will no sakla, there will be also no funeral expenses and services).” -Bereaved
family no. 12
Sakla has been a tradition by every Filipinos
during wake. Several families only knew the importance of sakla operation for
it already introduced in the place
“Karaniwan na kasi
sa lugar naming yun kaya yung pamilya ko eh pumayag kaagad dito. (My family
accept this funeral practices immediately knowing that this is common in our
area.)” -Bereaved
family no. 3
“Noong mga oras na
iyon blangko din ako e, hindi ko alm. Parang natural na sya sa lugar,
nakagisnan na rito tuwing may patay. (I am so out-minded that time when they
offered me this operation. But then, I noticed that it was a tradition here in
our place every wake.)” – Bereaved family no. 1
“It will be a
great help especially for us family who doesn’t have any stable works to lean
on. If there will no sakla, there will be also no funeral expenses and
services.” -Respondent no.12 (BL4/46/F)
“I have seen the
biggest contribution of sakla to bereaved families before, that’s why I agree
in this type of operation.” –Respondent no. 14 (BL1/M)
Terms
such as “saka” or “tong” are the collected money to be given to the family.
These will ensure the additional payment for the services gained by the
deceased person.
“First of all, it
really gives a financial assistance to the family of the deceased person. The
“tong” or the collected money is provided for the funeral expenses, services
and even in hospital bills” -Respondent no.11 (BL5/67/M)
In
addition to this, the responses were based on their personal experiences. Some
families undergo through a lot of benefits brought by sakla it includes the
undying number of people who visited the funeral wakes that makes the mourning
lessen.
“I noticed it in
other families, sakla really helps them in terms of expenses. Moreover, it can
maintain the number of people in the wakes that makes the funeral less mourn
which is good for us.” -Respondent no. 9 (BL6/51/M)
c.) Gamblers
The
participants, as gamblers mainly asked about the benefits brought by sakla unto
them. The common people who doesn’t have any job in the area are mainly
considered as gamblers but even the individuals who have a presentable job were
engaged on it. The leisure it offers were the core reason given by the gamblers
on engaging gambling.
“Libangan lang kapag walang ginagawa. (It
serves as one of my leisure time activities when I got nothing to do)” -Gambler no. 6
“Pastime.” -Gambler no.4
However,
some informants have corresponding answers aside of its leisure time benefits
and these are having chances of winning in that particular activity and letting
the person to escape from the situated problems.
“Wala, gusto ko lang. Nagbabaka sakali na manalo.
Pampalipas oras na din. (Nothing, I just want to play and just taking chances on
winning. It also serves as my past time.)” – Gambler no. 3
“Madalas
tumutulong sa akin to na makatakas sa problema sa bahay. Ito kasi yung nagsisilbing
taga-libang ko kaya naglalaro ako nento. (It somehow helps me to escape from
the problems I have in home. It serves as my reliever that’s why I play it” – Gambler no.8
These
gathered answers were based on their own personal experiences and most of their
statement were built up excitement-feeling and money-gaining.
“Sometimes I went
there because I just want to have an enjoyment. Most of the time I went there
not to bet” -Respondent no. 2 (BL5/48/M)
“It brings me
excitement especially when your bet is on strike. It gives me thrill-feeling.”
-Respondent no. 3 (BL1/51/M)
“Whenever I win,
it gives me an extra profit. It also helps me to have an enjoyment for a while”
-Respondent no. 9 (BL4/M)
While
some tried their luck to win for their own and family’s necessities.
“It became
beneficial whenever I win. I can buy some food for the next day and it enables
me to have more savings especially when I want to buy stuffs. I can give an
extra allowance to my kids through gambling.” -Respondent no.6 (BL5/39/F)
Society
really have different perception to everything. Despite of the luck and
excitement brought by sakla to other people, there are still some cited various
factors that triggers them to play. It includes the influences of socialization
additionally the activities it offers to your leisure time.
“You will
encounter many people in sakla that gives way on making friends, and I think
that’s the benefits of sakla for me. Moreover, it serves as my leisure time
activity.” -Respondent no. 9 (BL5/41/F)
Chapter 5
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECCOMENDATIONS
This chapter summarizes the study by highlighting
the main topic of the conducted research. The conclusions were drawn based of
the findings done by the researchers from the previous chapter. Moreover, the recommendations
were based on the reviews from the conclusions of the study.
Summary
This study was conducted for the purpose of
having an overview about “sakla” as a common funeral practice of Imusenos. The
scope of the study is limited among the areas of Imus specifically in barangays
of Bayan Luma. Moreover, it also has a thorough review of various related
literature and study regarding gambling activities to provide a prior knowledge
about the research topic. A qualitative phenomenology was applied to highlight
the experiences of the three group of informants which are the gamblers,
bereaved families and the sakla operators about sakla. Consequently, this is done
by in-depth interviews and questionnaires to have a salient results and
findings.
Furthermore, the study sought to answer the
following specific questions:
1. What is the importance of native gambling “sakla”?
The
gathered data
