Although there had been no record of the origin of the famous Philippine Native Pig breed, there had been assumptions that the breed is a product of a cross mating/breeding of our endemic “wild” pigs with the exotic pig breeds that were brought in our country by our colonisers and foreign traders during the 15th century or earlier.
According to a report made by the Philippine Journal of Science, 143 (1):87-94, June 2014, ISSN 0031-7683, Genetic Analysis of the Philippine Native Pigs (Sus Scrofa L.), there were 4 DNA samples gathered, 1 from the Philippine Native Pig breed and 3 commercial breed pigs, Duroc, Yorkshire and Berkshire. The Philippine Native Pig possess a unique phenotype, however, it revealed that it has a close consanguinity with the Berkshire breed. “The low genetic diversity of the Philippine native pigs can be attributed to its breeding history as well as the absence of genetic substructure due to small sample size. So far, few historical information on origin and breeding strategies applied in Philippine Native Pigs are available.” As of now, there are further studies carried out to confirm the results of the study.
The Philippine native pig breeds are drastically deteriorating due to improper management and breeding. The potential of the native pig breed is tremendously exceeding beyond anyone’s imagination! Up to now, though it may not amount to the same size and shape as the commercial swine breeds, the native pigs are highly sought after commodity in the lechon market. In Spain, they boast about their famous and expensive ham from their native Iberican Black Pig breed. In Japan, they boast of their well marbled Kagoshima black pig or better known as Kurobuta pig. You can see that these countries develop and improve their domesticated or native pig breeds to become one of the sources of the best and premium meat products. This is how we should envision our native pigs breeds. Like Spain and Japan, let us not settle for what’s available and what looks good. We can always improve and develop better native pig breeds according to our taste, style and choice!
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| Teofely Farms, Silang Cavite |
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| Teofely Farms, Silang Cavite |
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