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GAMABA ARTIST

Federico Caballero
December 25, 1938 (82 years old)

Frederico “Tuohan” Caballero was born on December 25, 1938, near the stream of the river Pan-ay at the border of Masaroy, Calinog, and Tapaz, Capiz.

A Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) Awardee for the year 2000, he comes from a long family line of epic chanters. Which shaped and harnessed his skill for epic chanting. It began when he was a child, when he and his brothers and sisters, as well as her mother and even his great grandmother, lulled him to sleep by chanting events of mythological heroes and the stories of their exploits. His interest developed as he learnt more, until he was able to chant himself

 

He works with the Bureau of Nonformal Education and goes from barangay to barangay to educate and encourage more people about the importance of reading and writing, as well as to promote the epic chanting tradition in his region. He was not just an artist, but also a Manughusay, or arbiter, who resolved conflicts and arguments in their society, as well as a Bantugan for his beneficial effect.

 

He helped create the first School for Living Tradition (SLT) in the Visayas, in Barangay Garangan, on the boundary of Tapaz, Capiz, and Calinog, Iloilo, in SY 2000–2001, with Dr. Alicia P. Magos. He is assisted by his siblings and relatives in teaching epic chanting alongside the other arts during that informal weekend schooling.

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Federico Caballero is also called Nong Pedring. His love for his people’s folklore began in his childhood. His mother and great-great-grandmother would chant the epics episode and each night, he would imagine recreating the heroes and beautiful maidens of their tales. 

Nong Pedring’s fascination naturally grew and started learning the chant epics himself. He would agree to do the chores in their house in exchange for learning to chant an epic. Through his eagerness, he conquered all ten epics and other forms of oral literature.

Nong Pedring

TEN EPICS

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Nagbuhis

Portrays Matan-ayon as thin and sickly. An obligatory rite is needed to make her well.

Alayaw

The tenth book is Humadapnon it is advised by LaoAlayaw n Sina to plant an Alayaw tree in the yard of Malis’ parents.

The Epics

Tikum Kadlum
Amburukay
Derikaryong Pada
Balanakon
Kalampay Sugidanon
Pahagunong
Sinagnayan
Humadapnon

Thank you for viewing!

References:

Group Members:

Reyes, John Paul

Santos, Cedric Jan

Torrecampo, Maria Mia

Valencia, Kelsey Shane

Vanderlipe, Ma.Rose

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