In Santo Tomas, the festival is known as Takanakuy, everybody fights everybody, and it happens bright and early Christmas morning.

CNN: Takanakuy: The fighting festival of Peru

Santo Tomas, Peru ( VICE) -- The town of Santo Tomas is 12, 000 feet above sea level, nestled cozily in the vertiginous Peruvian Andes.

CNN: Takanakuy: The fighting festival of Peru

Tan has been following his instincts since he stumbled into the food business while still in college at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

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"The coming election is definitely a referendum on President Aquino's first three years and will provide a glimpse of Vice President Binay's chances in 2016, " said Edmund Tayao, a political-science professor at the University of Santo Tomas.

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The geographical department of Chumbivilcas, for which Santo Tomas serves as the capital, is historically one of the poorest in Peru and cut off not only geographically from the power centers and financial interests of the Pacific coast, but most resources and government services thereof.

CNN: Takanakuy: The fighting festival of Peru

After a few days of preliminary drinking and dancing in costumes that combine the best aspects of traditional Andean horse-riding gear with the most nightmarish aspects of traditional acid trips, the residents of Santo Tomas wake up and head to the local bullfighting ring to beat each other silly.

CNN: Takanakuy: The fighting festival of Peru