Boys will be boys and they are delighted no end watching their “pet spiders” fight to the death at an improvised gladiator pole of a broomstick in what they call “Larong Gagamba.”

But actually, in some areas, even matured males are also into this, even making it a lucrative business on the side selling “strong, winnable” spider gladiators. Some prowl grasslands at night armed only with spotlights notwithstanding the risk of snake bites just to get hold of one “pricey” gladiator spider. (BENJIE CUARESMA/IAMGO/CNS)