ILOILO – Preparations are complete for the state funeral and necrological services honoring Federico Caballero, the esteemed Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan awardee from Calinog town, scheduled this morning, September 3.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in collaboration with the local government unit (LGU) of Calinog and the Indigenous People’s community of Calinog, will oversee the ceremonies.
Mayor Francisco Calvo of Calinog confirmed that all arrangements for today’s services, which will conclude Caballero’s funeral rites, are in place.
“Everything is ready. The program for the funeral service for Nong Pedring has been finalized,” Calvo told Panay News yesterday.
The funeral program will begin at 7 a.m. and is expected to end by noon when Caballero will be laid to rest at the family gravesite in Barangay Garangan, Calinog.
The schedule includes final military rites at 11:35 a.m., followed by a 21-gun salute before the burial.
Earlier, on September 1 and 2, Caballero’s residence hosted necrological services, incorporating Panay-Bukidnon funerary rites and Christian worship rites, reflecting his cultural and religious heritage.
Caballero, who passed away on August 17 at the age of 88, was declared a “national living treasure” when he received the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan in 2000. This prestigious award recognized his extraordinary efforts in preserving the oral traditions of the Panay-Bukidnon indigenous people, ranking on par with the Order of National Artist.
Affectionately known as Nong Pedring, Caballero’s cultural contributions have been preserved in the book “Suguidanon,” published by the University of the Philippines Press. He dedicated his life to practicing, transmitting, and documenting his community’s oral literature, notably the sugidanon, which includes 10 epics told in the archaic and complex poetic language of Ligbok.
His cultural work extended beyond his community as he collaborated with scholars, artists, and cultural advocates to revitalize and promote these nearly lost elements of oral heritage.
The NCCA, announcing his death, praised him for his “unwavering commitment and exceptional talent to master and preserve the expansive folklore.”
Following today’s state funeral, Caballero will be interred in his family’s cemetery in Barangay Garangan.
The following is the flow of the necrological services and state funeral:
* 7 a.m. – transfer of remains from Barangay Garangan to Poblacion Ilaya
* 8 a.m. – start of procession from Puregold to Calinog Plaza
* 8:30 a.m. – arrival honors
* 9 a.m. – National Anthem
* 9:05 a.m. – prayer by Romulo Caballero
* 9:10 a.m. – welcome remarks
* 9:15 a.m. – message of Mayor Francisco Calvo
* 9:20 a.m. – message of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
* 9:25 a.m. – “Pagbabalik-Tanaw” by Merly Delfin
* 9:30 a.m. – “Pagbabalik-Tanaw” by Dr. Alicia Magos
* 9:35 a.m. – “Pagbalik-Tanaw” by Dr. Felipe de Leon Jr.
* 9:40 a.m. – wreath laying
* 9:50 a.m. – performance of Suguidanon and Binanog
* 10 a.m. – Parangal by Manlilikha ng Bayan Teofilo Garcia
* 10:05 a.m. – message of NCCA Chairman Victorino Manalo
* 10:10 a.m. – message of Sen. Loren Legarda
* 10:15 a.m. – message of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
* 10:20 a.m. – response of Caballero Family
* 10:25 a.m. – Paghahabilin ng Medalyon ng Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan
* 10:30 a.m. – Departure Honors
* 10:35 a.m. – transfer to gravesite in Barangay Garangan, Calinog, Iloilo
* 11:30 a.m. – arrival at the gravesite/PN
